The Beast Player Erin

[mirkosp]

Erin-chan is the young 10 year old daughter of Soyon-san. She is an outsider in a village that takes care of the Grand Duke's military might, the toudas. Her mother, Soyon-san, is an outsider vet brought in to take care of the toudas. Erin-chan encounters many problems and learns many new things while aspiring to become a vet, like her mother, who cares for the all important toudas.

[Bakadeshi]

This is an unexpected gem I came across by accident. The story is so captivating that it makes you want to just keep watching to find out what happens next in little Erin's life. The characters are well developed and it will envoke multiple emotions from you. The pacing and setting is something similar to story's like 12 kingdoms and Saiyongokuy monogatari, but with more of a fantasy touch to it. (and maybe through in a little ghibli, as much of the character's personalities and styles remind me of Miyazaki's works) Get ready to hold in them man tears for some of these episodes though, and not just for sad things. Its just a realy touching story.

So far I am upto episode 24, and I think there are about 47 episodes out so far. I just can't get enough of this show :O

On a technical note, the backgrounds kinda urked me a little in the begining, since they are very simply drawn, almost like a childrens book's illustrations, felt a little lazy to me, but trust me, if this bothers you the story and character depth in this more than makes up for it. Its been a long time since I,ve seen an anime that makes me want to rave about it like this on the boards to get more people into it ;p

[Bakadeshi]

wow I'm surprised no one else seems to be following this, just finished it last night. A satisfying ending to a beautiful story. unlike alot of shows lately, this actually ended solidly, without leaving to many loose ends. It was a fun ride seeing Erin grow through all she went through, both good and bad, always holding on to her beliefs. every episode, save for maybe 2 that were kinda stupid that centered on the 2 idiots that act as comic relief for the show sometimes, served to just draw you more and more into the story as each one ended. I was so attached to the characters that I'm sad to see it end.

The description on ANN is a little misleading, this is not just about Erin raising toudas, thats only at the begining. This has a little of everything in it, how she gets involved in the political system in a waring nation that would take advantage of her pure heart, she meets new friends and looses some of them. it basically follows her not so easy life as she grows up trying to better understand how man and beasts live, and if they can live together. can't say too much more than that without spoiling major stuff ^_-

This is a must watch for anyone who enjoys a good story and in-depth easy to relate to characters. I'd give the whole show a 9 out of 10 overall.

[Bakadeshi]

On a side note, the opening (and pretty much theme song of the show) reminds me alot of the first ending song in Naruto Akiboshi - wind, Which I realy liked for its beautiful piano melody, and lyrics. Even though it had kinda bad engrish. ;p I realy like This song too, but thankfully is in japanese ;p

[EkaCoralian]

I've considered watching this, but the art is throwing me off a little bit. Although among my friends, its pretty popular, so I might check it out one of these days.

[Bakadeshi]

heres a pretty good writeup (blog) on this show, along with some screencaps to show what I ment by the odd art style that might take some getting used to:

http://thenullset.wordpress.com/2009/02 ... ouja-erin/

[Chiikaboom]

My friend has told me really good things about this series. Ill definitely consider watching it.

[Megamom]

My friend has told me really good things about this series. Ill definitely consider watching it.

x2... I also want to see.... although I have no friends!