I really didn't like the first few episodes. Sekishi was such a wimp back then, it was hard to watch her. Once she got over that however, the show did indeed kick much ass. King En's flashback kicked the most ass, dammit.

I started grabbing the series because of all the publicity it's been getting here in the forums [and also so that Rydia doesn't hunt me down]. I just watched the first episode, and I can't say I've ever watched too much anime of this genre: fantasy. (The Vision of Escaflowne and maybe that crap, Final Fantasy: Unlimited? That's it I think.) All I have to say is that this stuff needs to download faster so I can do some form of marathon with it. Then again, I have no marathoning time this coming week, but a few episodes a day would be nice. Come April, I'll have much, much time. But for now, my only comments is that that one creature had blue boobs.

If you want to watch another good (if not the best) fantasy anime, this is the one to see, naz. =p

Although I saw the entire series in four days, it deserves more time than that. There are a lot of concepts to remember and apply, and many characters to learn about. The story is complex and explores several side stories as well.

The story really captured my attention somewhere around Episode 15 or 16.

Between all of the secondary and tertiary names of the characters (excluding their primary name, of course. Example: Primary = Youko \ Secondary = Sekishi \Tertiary = Well...I won't spoil it for you, suffice it to say it's much more formal), the names of the countries, the other two words for "Japan", etc. etc. there have got to be 100+ vocabulary terms to learn in Twelve Kingdoms.

And not to mention all of the cultural aspects as well. It's certainly not anything you'd forget quickly!

Double Post:
Good lord! For 16 tracks that is one HELL of a long soundtrack. It rivals OSTs with 50+ tracks in it. When I opened the .rar and noticed it was 150+ MBs in size, I expected there to be dozens upon dozens of tracks, but nope only 16.

Still, this is one hell of a good soundtrack. Very ambient and atmospheric. Doesn't really blow out your ear drums or give you the desire to headbang -- much more relaxing than that.

Whew. Long time no see, thread of mine.

The purpose for this brief revival is to place this link here. http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/toei/toei_menu.htm

Someone on the Minitokyo forums was kind enough to post this link which has the entire Taiki arc from the actual story the anime is based on translated and broken apart into smaller chapters which is really quite amazing.

For a brief refresher course, the Taiki arc in the anime needed desperately to be explored in much greater detail, but alas it was not, and thus left the only plot hole gaping wide open by the series end. Everything else was finished up nice and neatly, but the Taiki arc eluded every viewer. But this translation of the story should prove to finally put an end to any questions or frustrations about the the actual happenings with Taiki.

I stopped watching it after the first chapter. At first I was confused because of all the non-english words and information given, then I finally understood everything near the end of the chapter one. Then I watched the first episode of chapter 2 and got confused again and I just stopped watching it. I thought the story was pretty good, but somewhat confusing and it some parts bored me.

I love just about everything about this Anime series. It's one of my top five favourites.

Man, I love this series.

Funny thing is that I actually knew about it from the Anime Recommendations forum that is stickied. I like the Fantasy genre of anime so I saw this one and saw that It had 2 recommendations next to it, so I grabbed it really quick and watched it.

Nothing short of greatness.

I'd have to say, my favorite arc (or the arc that I couldn't stop watching was the middle arc about the Rebellion and the Triplet of Shoukei, Suzu, and Youko). That single arc drew me into the anime so close that I seriously watched the whole arc sequentially with no break anywhere during the Arc.

The final arc kinda dissapointed me since I felt that it ended somewhat abruptly. And I think we've only been in like 6 or 7 of the 12 Kingdoms (I think it's been Han, Ryuu, Kei, Kou, En, and possibly Tai). I would love to see more of the story revolving about the rest of the world.

And on a final note, the ending theme is one of the best I've heard in a while.

Nothing short of greatness indeed. This could've easily been a near-100 episode series. And you're right, there were 5 kingdoms never discussed save for a brief intermission about them and their current status.

I don't think the anime ever took us into Ryuu, but it did take us into Sai. Kou, En, Sai, Han, Tai, and Kei are all I can remember.

This is by far my favorite anime series. I don't normally like long shows but this one really captivated me. I'd really like to get my hands on the novels and wish they'd continue on with the show more while it's still fresh in the minds of people.

For anyone who is a fan of the fantasy genre... I strongly recommend seeing this show. You will not regret it at all.

I'm so glad I saw this thread, since I found out about one of the most amazing anime in the genre of fantasy. Truly, the fact that the plot was more into politics and other aspects than the typical romance or comedy gave off an astounding aura of originality. I was also saddened to see the end of it, though it did satisfy, it left some finishing touches on the other kingdoms. I hope in the future to see more of it.

At the beginning I was discouraged since there was overload of information and truly you begin hating the main character (well, I know I did). But I'd already downloaded a couple of episodes and ventured into watching them, little did I know that as the series progressed, I got sort of addicted to them.

So here is my little rant! =)

StarCrossedSoul, if you'd like to read about the conclusion of the Taiki arc, I can at least provide you with the end to it.

http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/toei/toei_menu.htm

That link is the Chinese mythology the anime was based on, translated. The Taiki arc has a pretty nice closing to it, so I'd suggest reading it if you're interested.

It took a while for me to get it going, and I'll admit being "distracted" by the first few episodes, but I'm pretty caught on to this show now. I'm 18 episodes in after a little over a week from starting [again], and I'm loving it. <3

Oh, and "Gyokuyou Hekikagenkun." O_o

Yeah, definitely calling you "Goku"... =p

Yeah, if it were one thing that I didn't like, it was me memorizing names. The terms, I didn't mind, since I got those down rather fast since EVERYBODY throws them around in the beginning. But the names? Jeez. At least all the Kirin names are easy to remember.

Oh yeah, so I completed this at some point today. ;_;

It was great. The last episode was some weak sauce though, but I otherwise loved this anime. There was tons of things to learn about in this fantasy world, but it was all quite straightforward; and it kept me intrigued and interested the whole time (though it started off really slow). I usually don't watc this genre of anime, but it was a refreshing change of pace. There were some storylines/characters I wish there were more episodes about, but oh well.

Now someone doesn't have to hunt me anymore. :tpg:

I watched the first chapter (1st 13 eps i think). At first I was confused because of all the info given in such a short amount of time. Then midway through the first chapter I started to understand, and I was interested. But then the 2nd chapter starts and its like episode one all over again. Just when it was getting good, a new chapter starts and it doesn't really continue from the first. I just gave up on the series after that, I just got bored. Plus, it took forever to download and buildup the story.
If it turns out to be as good as you people say it is, I might consider watching the whole series this summer.

Well, it's not really that they start all over again, but it's another period where they just throw a shitton of information at you from the start. I actually liked the second arc a lot. As with the third.

OH GUYS, i'm happy that this thread exists!!!
I can very hardly ever talk about these things, in italian forums. They're just noobs who can't make a good thread, and analize the deepness of anime.
K let's begin, since i had problems with Taiki part, is his last episode the one where i see youko's friend talking with him in the painting classroom? Maybe i deleted the next episode accidentally, without watching it.
How can you know what happens? Is there a book of this serie? And if yes, shouldn't it be an old book? Maybe i was mistaken, and the book is indeed a modern one, as we see modern scholars and japan.

The best part, wich really froze me, and made me so EXCITED, was:

This anime really remind me to "Romance of the three kingdoms", however plus fantasy theme.:)
It's really full of epic story, philosophy.:)
Anyone know any further production of this series? I mean for the anime.

For novels there's 11 vol so far.

TokyoPop's releasing the original hardcover novels by Fuyumi Oni in the U.S. The first one's already available - Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow.