The Twelve Kingdoms

The Twelve Kingdoms (2002) 

Really wonderfully polished personalities here attacking me from all sides, and the story of Yoko a.k.a. the queen is thrilling and annoying from beginning to end – in a good way :-) What I also liked – surprised me – is the dying; just about anyone could really die here, a child, an old man, a friend of the ruler, women... a bit of a "massacre" at times... What really saddens me is the fact that the story of Taiki and his master wasn't finished, I still don't know what happened to them and what will happen to them in the future. Maybe it's resolved in the book and there's no room left in the anime... I was often annoyed that I didn't know who they were talking about, everyone had three hundred and fifty names and I was glad I remembered at least that one considering there were three hundred and fifty-one characters ;-)) At different times I was bored, cheering, holding my breath, longing for the end. Somehow it didn't leave a strong impression on me, and I kind of don't care that it ended (I'm rather glad I finally finished watching it), so I can't give it a higher rating; of course, it's a better 3 stars XoD For all the tributaries in one river that feeds and kills all 12. I'd just rather read it. And one more mini note at the end: absolutely the most boring opening sequence I've ever seen or heard... (16/05/2009)