Shounen Onmyouji: The Young Spirit Master

[jonadrian619]

Shounen Onmyouji
The Young Spirit Master

"Unleash your true potential!"​

Shōnen Omnyōji (少年陰陽師) was originally a light novel written and illustrated by Mitsuru Yuki and Sakura Asagi respectively. The anime adaptation was produced by Studio Deen under Kunihiro Mori's direction. The series premiered on Animax as Shōnen Omnyōji: The Young Spirit Master.

The series boasts of fleeting historical references from Japan's ancient era. Abe No Seimei is an actual onmyouji from the Heian period, and a dozen more references to paint the light novel and the anime in brilliant colors.

Story​

In ancient Japan, Abe no Masahiro, the grandson of the great onmyōji Abe no Seimei and his rightful heir, dreams of one day surpassing the skills of his grandfather. Seimei passed on his teachings to Masahiro and at the same time taunting him for making mistakes. Masahiro has Kenki abilities that was sealed by Seimei for his own safety, and later on break the seal when he is mature enough. Now that he is come of age, he regains his senses and

Masahiro's real adventure starts when he crosses paths with a spirit he names Mokkun, a mononoke. Mokkun seems to be well acquainted with Masahiro and his grandfather. In truth, he is actually the fearsome Toda, named Guren by Seimei, one of the 12 shikigami summoned to protect his grandfather. With Mokkun's aid, Masahiro battles the evil spirits and antagonists constantly invading the city as he develops his innate abilities so that he could surpass Seimei's power one day.

Onmyouji - practicioners of magic and divination in ancient Japan. Professionals belonging to Onmyōdō, a type of cosmology.
Kenki - the ability to see youkai, demons and all sorts of spiritual beings.

Main Characters​

Abe No Masahiro

Seiyuu: Yuki Kaida (Prince of Tennis, Hunter X Hunter, Rockman.EXE Beast)

13 years old, and an onmyoji in training. Since youth, he crossed paths with Guren and afterwards decides to follow the footsteps of his legendary grandfather, Abe no Seimei, and plans to rid the city of evil spirits. Masahiro is friendly to youkai and people. Being clumsy and cocky, he is a strong-willed boy with latent powers, likewise Seimei believes that he is his rightfull successor. He hates being called "Seimei's Grandson" from Mokkun and others, and trains harder and harder to surpass his grandfather.

He is a kind and friendly person to everyone. He has a relationship with Akiko.

Abe No Seimei

Seiyuu: Akira Ishida (Boys Be, Gakuen Alice, Saiyuki)

Masahiro's legendary grandfather, and the greatest onmyouji in Japan's history. Seimei has the 12 shikigami under his command and is able to transfer his soul to his younger form out of his old body, leaving the old vessel vulnerable. He mentors Masahiro while alternately teasing him for some of Masahiro's simple mistakes (and he calls Seimei "Old raccoon" for that), all to further Masahiro's power and performance.

Mokkun/Guren/Touda

Seiyuu: Katsuyuki Konishi as Mokkun (Ayashi no Ceres, Blood+, Shaman King), Junko Noda as Guren/Touda (Love Hina, Fushigi Yuugi Eikoden, Chousoku Spinner)

Mokkun is a Mononoke creature, like a cross breed of a cat and a dog, who's mischievous (since he's a spirit which cannot be seen by others with no sixth sense) but friendly to Masahiro, and a cuddly creature for his appearance. Guren is a powerful shikigami who wields the power of hellfire, and a person who is actually Touda, one of Seimei's 12 shikigami guardians. Mokkun transforms into Guren/Touda if necessary, usually in the heat of battle where Masahiro is in trouble or gets badly hurt. Guren had a trembling past, in which he almost killed Seimei for some reason, which makes the other Shikigamis lack trust in him. Though he is the most fearsome shikigami summoned, Masahiro takes him as a friend who believes that he is Seimei's rightfull successor.

Fujiwara no Akiko

Seiyuu: Sanae Kobayashi (D.Gray-man, Elfen Lied, Hikaru no Go)

Akiko is a princess hailing from the noble Fujiwara clan. Masahiro encounters her after his recent coming of age and saves her from a malicious demon. After their first meeting, they become good friends. Unlike ordinary townsfolk and other noble members, Akiko has the Kenki ability to see spirits. Because of this, she is attacked by demons often. For safety, soon she will live in Masahiro's place and take refuge amongst his family.

The 12 Shinshou

(Left: Main Characters, Right: The 12 Shinshou of Abe No Seimei)

Abe No Seimei has 12 powerful summons that are tasked to protect him and the others, Masahiro and Akiko, and help support Masahiro during his missions. Each of the 12 shinsho has 2 names (with the exception of Guren, who has 3 since he can take up an alternate mononoke form as Mokkun), their true god names, and their names given by Seimei. Each of them have unique powers. Personally I could not find a better image (not much in Google). At the top there is a chart of characters, including the main cast and the 12 shinshou. The shinshou from top left are; Touda/Mokkun/Guren, Seiryuu, Genbu, Taiin, Kouchin, Taijou, Tenkou, Byakko, Rikugou, Suzaku, Tenitsu and Tenkku.

It is said that these guardians are created in accordance to the human dream and the need for protection.

For more character guides, please click here.

Episodes List​

This reminds me of Rurouni Kenshin, for the lengthy episode titles. Each of the 26 episodes runs for 24 minutes.

1. This boy, Seimei's successor
2. When the Imperial Palace burned
3. Listen To The Voice When Afraid Of The Dark
4. Search For The Shadow Of The Foreign Country
5. Forcing Back the Ferocious Monsters
6. Catching the Signs that Appear in the Dead of the Night
7. The Hatred of the Woman Controlled by the Enemy
8. Dispelling the Hatred that Reverberated at Kifune
9. Shattering the Binding of the Curse of Darkness
10. A Voice in Response to a Faint Wish
11. Hold the Symbol of the Vow Close to Heart
12. Penetrate the Mirror Cage
13. The Catastrophic Song Brought by the Whirlwind
14. It is Like the Full Moon to Wane
15. Release the Catastrophic Chains
16. The Old Shadow Wanders in the Night
17. Sleep Embraced by the Snow
18. That Reason is Not Known by Anyone
19. When the North Star is Clouded
20. Chase the Wind That Invites the Underworld
21. Let the Bonds Hold in the Fires of Sin
22. Everything for the Priestess
23. The Flame of Kagutsuchi Shines Majestically
24. Winds of Twilight, Eyes of Daybreak
25. A Dance of Junipers in a Whirl of Misfortune
26. Sharpen the Sword of Flame

Opening/Ending Themes​

Opening Theme: Egao no Wake by Kaori Hikita

Spoiler

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Ending Theme: Yakusoku/Promise by Saori Kiuji

Spoiler

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My Comments​

This is a first (for me) in Japanese mythology, the ancient era which is the Heian period, long before the shinsengumi or even the Samurai flourished. You can get a feel of this dated-back timeline by watching this action-packed anime. The animation is good but what caught my attention is the CG graphics done in rendering the eye-candy effects in battle scenes. It has a good storyline and pacing, but the end leaves viewers craving for a second season. Shounen Onmyouji has more potential, but it's good at it's current state. Btw the last episode was emotional, you have to see it for yourself. All in all, this is a unique anime series in its own.

My Rating: ●●●●●●●●●● 8 out of 10.

All media © Mitsuru YUKI•Sakura ASAGI/Kadokawashoten ShonenOnmyouji Partners

 

[The Helper]

Wow! I can tell some time was put into this review I cannot believe I am just seeing this stuff for the first time 13 years later. Either that or I just forgot.