Joran The Princess of Snow and Blood
Synopsis
In 1931, the Tokugawa Shogunate remains in power, marking the 64th year of the Meiji era. Holding a monopoly over the newly discovered "Dragon Vein," the government is leading Japan toward an advanced Edo period. During this time, an elite force of executioners called "Nue" is tasked with defending the Shogunate from a rebel institution known as the "Kuchinawa." As the owner of the Tsuyukasa Bookshop, Sawa Yukimura runs the store's day-to-day business inconspicuously. But behind the scenes, she seeks vengeance against the man who slaughtered her tribe and family. With a special ability to transform granted by her blue blood, Sawa joins Nue after being promised information regarding the target of her revenge: Janome, the leader of the Kuchinawa. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed. Many appreciate the unique visual style, animation, and music, but are significantly let down by a convoluted, generic plot and rushed character development. The story is criticized for relying on clichés and suffering from pacing issues, ultimately undermining the show's potential. While some viewers found the emotional core resonant, others found the execution lacking.
Strengths
- Unique aesthetic with impressive fights and backgrounds reminiscent of old Japanese gravures.
- Good OP and ED, fitting for the time period setting.
- Visually pleasing animation and art style, especially considering the studio's first anime.
Weaknesses
- Convoluted and contrived plot with confusing motives and bad pacing.
- Generic and melodramatic revenge story with an overreliance on cliches.
- Inconsistent story quality, with some episodes feeling diluted and cheap.
- Rushed and cluttered writing, leaving world-building thin and some characters nonsensical.