Winter Anime Impressions – Kemono no Souja Erin
I think this will be the last of the winter shows that I’m going to get to. This was another show that really peaked my interest. The author of the source material is the same person who wrote Seirei no Moribito and the animation house is again Production I.G.
Rating: episode 1 – 9/12 A-
Rating: episode 2 – 9/12 A-
Erin is the young daughter of Soyon and she wants to follow in her mom’s footsteps as a dragon doctor. Soyon is regarded by many, even outside of the village, as the best dragon doctor but as an outsider to the village (she married the chief’s son) there are some that would like to see her leave. So far these attempts at getting Soyon kicked out of the village have been thwarted by Soyon and Erin’s intelligence and skill.
I’ll be truthful upfront, I’m weary of picking up this show because of it’s intended episode length, 50 episodes. That’s a lot of time and I’m not sure right now if it’ll be worth it. The last time I watched a series that long, Hayate the Combat Butler, I really only liked the first quarter and the last quarter; I kept losing interest in the middle half and was bored that the story wasn’t advancing. This might not be the case with this show but I don’t want to get 20 episodes in and realize that I don’t feel like continuing.
The main reason that makes me worry is the show seems more solidly geared to kids then Seirei no Moribito as evidenced by the voice-over at the end of the episode explicitly stating things that where obvious in the show and the total lack of subtlety dealing with the guy that wants Soyon and Erin out of the village. I’m worried that the show won’t be engaging enough for someone like me to watch all 50 episodes.
I feel terrible thinking this, though, because I don’t believe in letting preconceived notions dictate what I watch. I want what I watch based on the actual quality of the show and the first two episodes where an enjoyable introduction to the series. The animation was very good, as expected from Production I.G. I can already tell that this show, like Seirei no Moribito, does not throw in any of the current popular anime items. So no tsunderes or otaku jokes or other cliche character types – not that these are inherently bad but it’s nice to get a break from that every once and while. I’m also getting to like the characters and the world setting already.
What I’m saying is that I have no objective reason to stop watching this show right now, it appears to have everything I want in a series or at least the potential to (where the story goes is unclear right now). Therefore, I’m going to continue watching this until I’m given a reason to stop.
Cool ending animation style
So far Kemono no Souja Erin has not disappointed, I rather have a slow plot development and good progress than rushed storylines. The art is pretty unique as well, and I was really looking forward to it. I will likely be finishing this.
Erin is my favorite currently airing show right now due to wonderful art and music
Also I like the slice-of-life story, but we’ll see some more politics and drama later. I am determined to cover all 50 episodes 
The environment really looks Aztec-like for me. Which is rare to see. I like it.
Kiddy show, eh? Why not?!
It’s good for refreshing! ^^
‘Coz I’m quite fed up with ecchi, senseless killing, bang-bang-bang action, blablabla.
Loving mother and daughter. Ah, how sweet!
I really enjoy this series. What this show does to me each time I see it is think: what about animal rights? Who says that they don’t have any? I mean the humans aren’t treating them badly but these large creatures are not happy either. I don’t think I would get so angry if these beasts were at least happy in confinement but they aren’t. Their eyes look dead. The latest episodes (19) show how lifeless they have become in confinement, I just hope Erin does something that would one, make their confinement closer to home. 2. find a way to work with the beasts and not control them against their will. 3. Free the ones who are not happy.
See after thinking those points, now there is another issue, those that were capture from the egg and doesn’t know any other life and can’t live outside in the wild I believe those can be happy in confinement, but if you take one who has known another way of life and imprison them for humans own selfish deeds and not for the sake of the beast then, I believe erin should do something about it or start a movement, something that will leave a mark saying that animals have a choice too.
The show is still developing but it is already showing how the humans can be selfish for their own benefit and not think about animals are feeling beings but something for their own use. But it also shows how strict the care of a beast is to the point that the caretaker would die if the precious beast are also dead. an example, Erin’s mother punishment.
I can’t press my finger on it, but this show is building the plot little by little each episode and I hope that it all comes together with a bang. the first 10 episodes were when Erin is innocent and so everything is still fresh and naive so many people feels it is gear towards kids but as Erin grows and she starts taking in her environment and her experience widens we see the view point matures ad becomes more dark and serious.
I say, give the series a chance to grow and you’ll grow with it. You’ll see the story through Erin’s eyes and will also see and experience her growth.
hey man! 9 out of 12 is the same as 3 out 4. that is not an A-.
that is a C, at 75%
lol.
(this is only a remark towards this man’s grading scale, i like the anime, though)
@Mark: I live dangerously by not reducing my fractions to lowest terms.
Actually they are not the same thing. I didn’t want to deal with small differences in grades since I think it’s just splitting hairs – is there truly a difference between a grade of 3.55 and 3.60 – I wouldn’t think so. As a result, I created my own grading scale. If you want, you can check out a more indepth writeup in my about section.
That’s a good review. I’m making one of it myself right now and was looking around for some pics of certain scenes. I think its strange how this anime doesn’t have an pics posted on the net. I think it’s a bloody good one after you get past the 6th episode.