Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokki) Discussion

One of the best anime I've ever watched -- the character development is stellar.. and the writer has a lot to say about humans, and how they deal with the world.

So, let's start some plot discussion. What is your favorite moment in the series? =)

Spoiler:

Mine is definitely when Yoko stands up to the Demon Monkey, once and for all. It marks the turning point in her character development from insecure schoolgirl to regal queen, and shows how a person should stand up to his or her own doubts and insecurities (personified to Yoko by the Demon Monkey).

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by SouthJag

Youko's Rebellion:

At first, I wasn't sure where this arc in the story was going to lead. Hindsight reveals to me that the seemingly unconnected Shoukei, Suzu, and Youko would eventually lead to one of the coolest rebellions ever.

Suzu makes it to Shoukou's town and watches her friend die, then joins a band of rebels to overthrow Shoukou along with Youko. I was really surprised that Youko kept her identity hidden for so long -- would've thought I lot of people would know what the sword Suiguu looked like. Shoukei, the former princess of Hou, joined up with another band who was playing to scare Gahou.

Through rather odd circumstances, the three of them ended up together which quite a large band of rebels and mercenaries and held back the provincial army of Wa. The best part was when Keiki bowed in front of Youko and everyone suddenly realized what was going on. Youko rode away on Keiki's back and demanded (you go girl) to know why the queen's private army was mobilized without her consent. The whole provincial army and royal army bowed and had that look of "Oh shit we're in trouble" on their faces. Good stuff.

Spoiler:

That last moment, when the truth is revealed, made my hair stand on end. It was awesome.

What I particularly liked about that chapter is that it focuses on how people handle the problems they have in their lives, and how each person is really in control of their own fates.

I like how the novelist makes a very strong case for personal responsibility in this chapter -- that there's no point in blaming other people for one's problems if she doesn't make an effort to make a better life for herself (Shoukei irrationally blaming Yoko for her problems, for example). Suzu's obsession with Yoko also showed that in the end, there's no point in putting all one's hopes into a single person, either.

I think both Shoukei and Suzu had too much self-pity in them -- it took a tragedy, in Suzu's case, to open her eyes up to that fact. It's really cool how their characters developed over this arc, to become really strong, self-assured people.

The uselessness of self-pity seems to be a recurring theme in the series, in general. It's wonderful that an anime can address themes like this with such maturity.. I think that's why I like this anime so much. =)

There's nowhere I can't reach.