Nabari no Ou – 01
OP: “Crawl” by VELTPUNCH – I absolutely love the OP, right down to the JRock indie track that fits perfectly with the animation. It’s pretty standard, but it reminds me a lot of similar stuff we get from these types of shows.
Summary:
A young man carries a boy with him while running away from a group of ninjas. The boy with him is Rokujou Miharu. The large group of ninjas seemingly corner the two boys, but Miharu suddenly releases a great destructive power against all of them. A woman laughs, but another tells Miharu to forget. In the present time, Miharu thinks to himself in class that he would like to be indifferent to everything around him. After class, a boy named Aizawa Kouichi approaches Miharu in hopes of walking home with him. Kouichi reintroduces himself after finding that Miharu does not remember him, and is forced to chase out after Miharu after he leaves before him. Getting to the point, Kouichi suggests that he has a favor to ask. A teacher named Kumohira soon catches up to the two, further revealing his hope that Miharu would join a certain club. On the walk home, Kouichi finally reveals that it is the ninja club that they would like Miharu to join. After leaving Miharu to allow him think about this, Kouichi notices that the winds have started to move.
Kumohira eventually shows up at the Rokujou’s family shop. Miharu suggests that Kumohira could search for anyone else to join his club, but Kumohira reveals that Miharu is actually being targeted. To counter this, Miharu wonders if it isn’t Kumohira that is actually targeting him. Kumohira explains that ninjas still exist in the shadows in present day, and that he carries several responsibilities dealing with the world of Nabari. Miharu is unable to believe him, but Kumohira exclaims that Miharu may be killed. Elsewhere, Kouichi reveals his detection of the teacher Yamase at a shrine. When Miharu’s grandmother expresses that they have run out of some food supplies, Miharu quickly takes the chance to leave Kumohira. Outside, Miharu thinks to himself that he certainly does feel something. He feels as if a voice is calling out to him, which leads him to the shrine that Kouichi is at.
When Yamase sees Miharu at the shrine, he quickly throws a shuriken in his direction. However, a gust of wind appears to protect him. Realizing that Miharu has the hijitsu he is actually after, Yamase soon charges towards him. Kouichi uses his power to escape with Miharu, but Yamase has already arranged for others to chase after them. Miharu is confused about Yamase’s suggestion dealing with the Nabari no Ou, but he still does not wish for Kouichi to become involved in the conflict. The voice inside Miharu’s head suggests that it would be fine to simply kill those before him. Making him realize that those around want his powers, the woman suggests that she will protect him. Miharu is forced to release a great power against those around him, but Kouichi stabs Miharu in attempt to seal his powers. This is not enough to stop Miharu, as the woman continues to wonder what Miharu truly wants. When Kumohira reaches Miharu, he is finally able to stop him. Miharu suggests that he does not want anything as he falls, but the woman suggests that he will surely call her one day.
Waking in the school infirmary afterwards, Miharu finds that his powers have already healed the wound on his stomach. Kumohira explains that Miharu holds a hidden technique within himself, one that was created by ninja a long time ago. In fact, it is one of the greatest created. Although it is extremely powerful, Kumohira does not believe Miharu would be able to control it at the moment. Miharu does not have any wish to have the hijitsu within him, but Kumohira denies that it can simply be removed. Kumohira warns that the Kairoshu are after the hijitsu, as even more enemies appear to chase after Miharu. Kouichi and Kumohira do their best to defend Miharu, as he suddenly escapes to the roof. Yamase again attacks Miharu, but Kumohira soon appears to save him. Miharu attempts to avoid Kumohira afterwards, but Kumohira stops him. Writing a character on his head, Kumohira swears to protect Miharu until he becomes the Ruler of Nabari and ends all fights over the hijitsu. At school later, Kumohira has replaced Yamase as one of Miharu’s teachers. Kumohira again attempts to have Miharu join his club, but Miharu escapes as usual. Elsewhere, a man named Hattori Toujuurou and many other members of the Kairoshu plot to take the hijitsu they are after.
ED: “Hikari” by ELISA – The ED is pretty standard flare, but more notably, it’s done by ELISA of recent ef fame. I might get hooked to her stuff if she continues to put out work like this.
Preview: Blondie ninja!
Impression:
Talk about freaking awesome. All of the good shows are airing on Sunday, so it’s going to be packed once again this season. It’s been a hella long time since I saw a good ninja anime, and Nabari no Ou does not disappoint at all. Unfortunately, I am 95% sure that Aroduc and a lot of others will want to cover this, so unless Wagaya no Oinari-sama disappoints me greatly, I probably won’t be covering it. I do need a good fighting anime to replace Shana for this season though, and I can totally see myself enjoying writing about this. I think I’ll do short posts on all of the shows today until choosing one or two to expand on tonight and continue to keep up with.
There’s been a lot of talk about Kugimiya Rie’s role as a boy in this show, but it really wasn’t bothersome at all. In fact, I thought she played her role very well along with the rest of the cast. The art and animation for this show is spectacular. I absolutely love the character designs, and I’ve gotten to the point where I do not expect JCStaff to let me down at all with these sorts of things. I’m already absorbed in the story that’s been presented, even if it was the typical ninja anime flare. I also like that this series knows when not take itself seriously, as we were even given some very hilarious ninja jokes (I’m just hoping there’s no yaoi!). Next week we’ll get to see the necessary female addition, so I’m so ready to pick it up again next week. I’m definitely watching this every week during the spring season. Now the only question left is if I want to write on it as well.
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Haha, i don’t think there’s any yaoi on this series ^^; But I guess there’ll be a few hints just for the laughs. I’m relieved to find you really enjoyed the first episode. It’s one of my most anticipated shows this spring and if you haven’t read the manga, good for you because things really get better and better, from the characters to the plot.
Postin’ from the BBQ, being really jealous.
Also, covered in mud and transferring Doctor Who to a Tivo.
eipu: Haha, I was kidding about that of course. I’m pumped about this show as it is now.
Aroduc: Freaking get back to the internet world you silly head! Everyone knows RL isn’t real! (coming from me who id desperately trying to squeeze in blog time before I have to head back to campus in a few hours…)
YAY! My indifferent demon is here!
Although, they covered the first two ch of the manga a bit different, but still good!
Can’t wait for Raimei to appear next week.
Now I really got to watch this. I’m really loving the fact that they’re getting more indie bands to do openings.
And totali, I would appreciate it if you refrain from using the awful term, “J-Rock”. Save that term for referring to those visual-fag and sell-out bands.
Also, blog this and drop Code Geass… that’s just saying, of course. As if I can demand anything.
I have no intentions of blogging Code Geass with the rest of the blogsphere already doing it, and not having blogged the first season.
Haha, “indie”….you’re too picky! :3
Despite popular opinion, I remain in love with J.C. Staff. While few of their shows are perfect, they have a stronger dedication to quality (typically solid but not extravagant production values. Storyboarders are fabulous) and creativity than most of today’s larger studios.
I guess I’ll have to check this out even though I rarely watch fighting/action shows.
What is popular opinion? Because if it’s “Kyoani is the best studio evar and JCStaff makes bad anime”, popular opinion can go suck it.
JCStaff is second only to Shaft in my eyes! WEW~
Yay, action and ninjas! Nice to hear good things this series and that JC Staff has done well again. Looking forward to see the subs for this one. =)
Omg, I read chapter 1 and 2 of the manga because I couldn’t wait for the anime, and I really loved it.
The yaoi vibes kill me!! But they’re pretty hilarious at the same time, because it seems like… Miharu makes use of his prettiness against Kumohira.
Anyway, I’m down to read stuff you write on this. Awesome ep.
haha, I sense BL vibess~~~~
imho, JC Staff is my favorite studio, and I can almost find no fault with them most of the time. Nonetheless, Code Grease can kiss my ass (I let Calawain deal with it), and i can happily follow my Special A \o/
I totally loved Nabari no Ou. It’s awesome and great, I loved the battles and the characters. Totally the most anticipated show for me in this season.
I wouldn’t mind BL, but after skimming through the six volumes of manga, I think there will be none. Maybe some hints here and there just for fun, though.
[...] When both Aroduc of Mars and Totali of Venus both gush about a series, the combined power pushes a previously unconsidered anime to the [...]
Nonetheless, Code Grease can kiss my ass…
Well said, Impz. Code Geass is fail.
God, please don’t let this be a freakne Yaoi. I haven’t seen it but to me in the cap’s the lead looks like the Yaoi type.
A decent first episode. The yaoi elements of this don´t distract and work perfectly well with the type of humor that this show has.
i just wanted to note: if you look at the ending, you can see the creators justs watched the whole show and went:”DAMN! cant have our characters turn out gay, bad for ratings, better have them all pose with women and kissing women and etc… cept for Kouichi, he really is gay.”
OMG what is taking Nabari no Ou from getting subbed I mean the manga was awesome and the anime from what iv seen is also, so whats the delay?
Seriously, why is it taking so long to sub the 1st ep of Nabari no Ou. It’s almost been a week… plz hurry. I’ve read and re-read the manga several times.
if you look at the ending, you can see the creators justs watched the whole show and went:”DAMN! cant have our characters turn out gay, bad for ratings, better have them all pose with women and kissing women and etc… cept for Kouichi, he really is gay.”
Σ(゜゜) Um… I think it’s the other way around.
If you are thinking there are absolutely NO shounen ai undertones you are out of touch with reality, lol! That being said something tells me if you can stomach the first episode that at most there will be only a few scenes later on that bother you.
I loved Nabari no Ou. It’s way better than Naruto, in my opinion. It’s a shame there’re only 26 episodes. I’m glad that they’ve started using more indie bands, too.