Yuki no Joou (TV)

Based on the children's story by Hans Christian Andersen.

Gerda and Kai have been neighbors and best friends since childhood. Gerda is eleven, Kai twelve. They were happy children who worked and played as they should. All that changed when the Snow Queen's mirror broke. The shards spread all through the world, each containing evil. If a shard went inside your eye, it would turn your heart to ice. A shard went into Kai's eye. After that, he grew cold to those he loved.

One night, the Snow Queen came in her carriage and took Kai back to her ice castle at the farthest north point of the world. Everyone in Kai and Gerda's village didn't know where he went and believed he died from drowning in the frozen-over lake. Gerda doesn't believe this, for she dreamed of seeing Kai enter the carriage. When a drunk man admits that he also saw this, Gerda starts realizing that maybe what she saw wasn't a dream. She packs her things and goes on a journey to save Kai and bring him back home.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Gerda Main

Kawasumi, Ayako Japanese

Kai Main

Natsuki, Rio Japanese

Snow Queen Main

Suzukaze, Mayo Japanese

Peter Supporting

Yamaguchi, Kappei Japanese

Ragi Supporting

Nakamura, Tooru Japanese

Witch Supporting

Ikeuchi, Junko Japanese

Casper Supporting

Inoue, Jun Japanese

Avatar of the Wind Supporting

Ootsuka, Akio Japanese

Yohanna Supporting

Jou, Masako Japanese

Holger Supporting

Matsumoto, Tadahito Producer

Miyamoto, Hideaki Producer

Dezaki, Osamu Director, Storyboard

Kaburagi, Hiro Episode Director

Reviews

May 29, 2014

Anime_is_Life3

Recommended

Let me just tell you how perfect this adaption of the Snow Queen is. I remember seeing this on a list of adaptions for the fairy tale "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Anderson, and I was really happy that they had an anime adaption for it. I am a big fairy tale reader and The Snow Queen just happened to be one of my favorite fairy tales. Also, since I enjoy watching anime, putting these two together was perfect. So of course I was going to see how they portray the fairy tale. And at the end of I was really pleased. So I'll ... explain why I gave this anime these ratings:

Story (10)- I thought it deserved this ten. The anime helped the viewers understand the story and the concept perfectly (so if you are ever confused when reading this fairy tale, this is the right thing for you). What I loved most about the anime was not only did they stay truthful to the fairy tale, but they were able to incorporate many other fairy tales into the story, such as The Little Mermaid and The Little Match girl and many more.

Art (5)- I honestly think the art is what killed the show. The art isn't the greatest compared to many other animes I have seen. The story is amazing, but people wouldn't be interested in knowing what's going on because the art and animation is too distracting. I also think that is why this anime is underrated.

Sound (10)- The soundtrack is amazing. The classical, smoothing vibe this show gives with its soundtrack is the best.

Character (9)- They were able to portray every character successfully without mischaracterizing anyone. But I would be lying if I said that I didn't get annoyed at some characters.

Enjoyment (10)- Don't even get me started. I actually was able to get attached to most of the characters in the show (even if their appearance only lasted one episode). Yuki no Joou teaches their viewers many valuable lessons along the way and this show made me feel like I was a part of Gerda's journey. Which made this show very enjoyable to watch.

Overall (9)- The show did have its flaws. The art isn't the greatest and the show does start out slow. But as you watch each episode you start to get use to the art style and animation. Once you do, you then can concentrate on the story of the show and learn how amazing it is. The beautiful sound track, characters, plot, lessons, this show just has it all. I just wish more anime watchers can be able to watch these type of animes.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Aug 16, 2020

eusuna

Recommended

Hello, This will be my first review on this site and hopefully not the last.
Also Sorry for my sucky english.

In regards to the review, I am very biased because I grew up with this story and it was and is still one of my favourite stories ever told. which will affect this review both positive and negative.

The story for me is 7, though I was considering to give it a 6 due to a few really well-told stories within this show it will be a 7.

The overall plot is very simple and is about Gerda's journey. A girl around the age of 12 or ... so, to find and Bring back her childhood friend Kai who has been taken away by the Snow Queen, with the main focus of the show being the journey itself.


The overall story can be broken down into the well known three-act structure.
With the first act is around for 3-5 episode where the relevant characters are introduced and The main character Gerda's Journey begins.

The second act is primarily an episodic natured, "Monster of the week" kind of deal. just replace monster with people and places, with their own fairy tails that Gerda basically have to navigate. with both upbeat positive stories that will feel with joy and faith in humanity and sad stories that will make you sad. Especially episode 19, that episode is the jewel of this show no contest.

Then the third act that ends with some sort of final climax epic battle kind of ending that pushed the Gerda into the background while focussing more on the Snow Queen herself. and is, in my opinion, the part I really didn't like and the reason I considered to give it a 6. The ending isn't bad in of itself, and it had a good build-up. but moved too far away from the original story to my liking.

Art: 7
The anime was made back in 2005 and looks pretty decent. but can be a turn off if you don't like the style, as the style is very much a very rough version of the Vinland Saga, just replace all with all the dynamic character movement, in scenes that requires a lot of actions and drama wi filled with still pictures, and sounds. so yeah it's Ok. but no masterpiece in my opinion. but I did enjoy the style. But I do like the characters designs that had a standoff out place designs. like a certain group of bandits.

Sound with the focus on music.
I did like both the opening and ending, with the op being the best of the two. the background music was alright, as in, the music did the job without sounding bad with few of the tracks, that stood out, but not enough for it to be worth listening to by itself.

Characters: between 7 and 8
This is an important one. due to animes length and its episodic nature.

With Gerda being the best character in the show by far. and I loved pretty much every scene she was in, regardless of the scenes feeling forced or natural. she is a good well-meaning girl who tries to help people in need and will insist on repaying the help she receives with during chores like, washing clothes or helping with cleaning and stuff.

Kai is more of a plot device than a character, but the personality he does have when together with the snow queen is alright and nothing special.

Ragi a grown man that helps out Gerda on her travel is there. he plays odd music. and is a mysterious type with a past connected to the snow queen, aside from this he a nice guy who knows how to fight, the action is important. I guess. Nothing against him, but nothing special comes to mind with thinking about him.

The Snow Queen. the title character is, unfortunately, my least liked character, due to the creative changes, that to me made her feel less like The ice-cold snow queen, to a character lost in the past for a reason I really didn't care for. which in my opinion was a shame. but that part is clearly hinted at, through her interaction towards Kai.

The Episodic supporting characters. were great and many of them well explored and I loved pretty much 98% of them except those I were meant to hate. and those ones I hated. please kill those few with fires, and offer that one jerk to Enma Ai from Girl, or something. That aside it's because of many side characters I graded the character section 8, because with them. it would have been a solid 6.

I loved the beginning and midsection and the retelling of other fairy tales. written by Hans Christian Andersen ( the original author of the Snow Queen) but the ending could have been better, and some the episodes contained the feeling of tragedy should have had a some follow up and carried on to the next episode. its a shame many of those heavy feel moments last only to the end each episode.

All in all I enjoyed this show. While I didn't care for the third act even if the out of place "Villain" was decent. I still loved the journey, and I will still return to this anime, to rewatch a certain few episodes.
And I will HEAVILY recommend anyone to watch the episode, even if you have to skip the whole show, it's an amazing retelling crossover with the Little match girl, I can't recommend that episode enough and episode 20 to is enjoyable.

overall I will give this anime a 7 out of 10
There are things I liked. and really didn't like. and pieces I really loved.
The ending isn't Soul Eater bad, by any means. but that epic thing were really unneeded.

Hope you found this review helpful.
Have a nice day :D

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Dec 29, 2023

Ganymede1135

Recommended

Endearing, a moving re-telling of the timeless classic. I have always adored the spiritual devoted love story at the heart of "The Snow Queen" and this anime captures and represents it beautifully. Even with the inclusion of notable fairytale characters from other recognizable childhood stories, the series still exudes the exquisite and encouraging aura of this Coming of Age adventure-and the unbreakable power of true love.

The screen and character writing are richly done and the traditional animation style truly makes this a hidden gem viewers of all ages can appreciate and be touched by. Certainly one of the best adaptations of the tale ever ... produced in my opinion. Passionate, resonant, and powerful-this is a must-see for any fans of Andersen's stories.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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	Poll: Yuki no Joou Episode 19 Discussion ihateeveryone - Feb 20, 2015	9 replies	by eusuna »» Aug 16, 2020 10:33 AM
	Poll: Yuki no Joou Episode 17 Discussion ihateeveryone - Dec 24, 2014	3 replies	by Recynon »» Aug 3, 2020 8:46 PM
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