"Why not start by changing from within? You could try doing things that you don't normally do."
-Diamond
This is my first review, and even though I'm not amazing with the words i choose, I really wanted to write a review on this show, since it means so much to me.
Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) was an oddball when it first came out. An anime that went under many peoples radars, but that once given at least a bit of the reputation it deserved, passed limits that were unimaginable. Sadly, I wasn't into anime when it was first airing, but now I can
...
appreciate this masterpiece years later. So let's start.
Houseki no Kuni already presents itself as an anime that isn't quite like the others. First, with it's really unique premise. A world full of immortal gem people that fight aliens from the moon alongside a tall bald dude. And that's something really refreshing; I don't mind "unoriginal" anime, but it's always pleasing seeing something different once in a while. For being so different from most of the other anime, HnK can tackle on themes in some really creative ways.
Enjoyment: 9-10
Even though HnK currently holds it's spot as my number 1 show, when I first watched it it barely made in my top 20. I don't really know what happened, but after watching it I simply couldn't start thinking about it. After some weeks, I was completely crazy for the show, always with the urge to rewatch it. And when I did, oh boy, it was fantastic. And I think I know the reason for that: like I said, HnK is a really unique anime, and the way it presents it's themes and messages are anything but ordinary, At first, I didn't really understand or payed enough attention to them, I took it at face value. But when I started thinking about it more, I discovered how masterful it truly was. I find myself wanting to rewatch it every few days, so I can maybe notice something different this time.
Animation: 10
Even though HnK is arguably underrated for western anime fans, it was known for one thing: it's animation. Why? Because the show was completely CGI, and everyone knew the reputation CGI had (and has). But HnK completely turned it around, not only having good CGI animation, but actually showing why this show wouldn't be as good if it was 2D, and how CGI can enhance a show's direction and presentation.
What made HnK perfect for CGI at first were the gems themselves. How could a 2D studio convey the vibrant and shiny colors of them? They couldn't. In fact, there's a teaser trailer for the manga that was made in 2D, and the way they made the gems stand out where by drawing blinding sparkles of light that made your eyes bleed. Even though it still looked really beautiful, it just wouldn't be the same. CGI, however, completely changed that. If you look now, the gems' hair are extremely detailed and well made, and also extremely beautiful. But it isn't just good because of the gems' hair, but also for how it's directed: there're countless shots that last more than 20 seconds, with the camera panning around everywhere. That simply wouldn't be possible in 2D. Not to talk about other direction aspects, like how seems flow and change extremely naturally. The animation isn't only beautiful for CGI, but beautiful overall.
And believe it or not, I find it to be the weakest part of the anime.
Sound: 10
I might have sounded too much like a fanboy with that last thing I said, (which I am lol) but I truly stand for it. The animation is mesmerizing and incredible, but when I take a step back, I can't help but notice how masterful everything else also is. A perfect example being the soundtrack.
What makes a good soundtrack? For me, a for a soundtrack to be top tier, it needs to be 3 things: distinctive, a soundtrack that doesn't sound like others, with different instruments or just unique melodies; a soundtrack that carries weight or passes on a different feeling, be it by using beautiful tunes or by the given scene it plays on; or mixing with the overall tone of the show, a soundtrack that reminds you of the show just by listening to it. HnK's soundtrack does all of those three perfectly.
Each song has a bundle of extremely unique instruments and sounds that not only have I never heard in any other song, but pass on an incredible feeling. Some pass a feeling of happiness, only to send shivers down your spine. Others seem so heavenly that you could close your eyes in that very second, and go to another completely different world. And the ones that are connected to certain important events hit the hardest, just listening to the song makes you want to rewatch that scene entirely.
While some songs you might not remember at all, some leave such an impact for how beautiful and unique it is that it's impossible to forget. Prime examples would be the tracks "Cinnabar" and "Trials of Winter". Cinnabar is a beautiful song with a depressing tune that gives off a feeling of melancholy, with different from the usual instruments and tunes, matching it's character perfectly. Trials of Winter in the other hand, is nowhere as beautiful as Cinnabar. But god, is it exciting. A bunch of different instruments smacked together into one composition that makes a superb joy to listen to.
Not to mention the OP and ED. The ED is a sadder song, with some incredible 2D visuals and a surprising amount of foreshadow and parallels. But with all honesty, the opening is incredibly better. Having three different versions (normal, instrumental, and choir), it passes on the exact feeling the gems themselves do. A feeling of uneasiness, while sounding astonishing, that stabs your heart with some feelings you can't quite describe. All three songs pass on a different feeling, and they're all extremely beautiful.
Story: 10/10 (Spoiler Free)
Another factor that makes HnK stand out from your usual anime is it's story. It takes place on Earth, after it was struck 6 times by meteors. The Earth got smaller and smaller each time, with it's debris turning into new moons. And now, these immortal humanoid gem-looking creatures that can only stay awake when the sun is out exist there, in a single island, living alongside a monk bald dude that acts as their teacher/master, and they all have different roles. Some are medics, some are blacksmiths, but most of them share a job: killing the Lunarians, alien entities that come from the moon only at day to try to take the gems for their colors and beauty. Each gem has a different hardness level. Some may be weak, having a hardness of 6, and some may be stronger, having a hardness of 10. Either way, they all serve a purpose. Except one gem, and our protagonist. Phosphophyllite, or Phos for short.
Phos is a happy, egocentric and sometimes even annoying gem with an incredibly low hardness: a 3.5. Barely anything will be able to break her. So for that reason, she can't fight and hasn't been assigned a job. Until the faithful day where the master, Kongo-Sensei, presents her with a job: filling out an encyclopedia. Phos, not knowing what to do, decides to ask help for Cinnabar, a lonely gem that patrols at night alone, since her powers allow her to use poison against the lunarians. Because of that, she kills everything in her way, and is able to stay awake up at night. Cinnabar half-assed helps Phos, wishing for her to go away. Cinnabar, having lost complete hope that she would one day the lunarians might come and fight her so she can actually do something helpful, gets a promise from Phos, saying that she will help Cinnabar find a good and exciting task.
It may sound boring and weird, but trust me, it gets insanely better. With all honesty, as much as I love HnK entire world, plot and story, what I like the most is the symbolism. The symbolism HnK presents is like no other, symbolizing many different aspects and ideas. One of the ideas it presents is "If you change all pieces of a boat, is it still the same boat?". It experiments with that idea in a way that ties with the points of the story and also ties with the overarching plot greatly. And it presents many other ideas as well. Symbolizing Buddhism in a way that is actually used as a plot point in the show, symbolizing loss and change and how sometimes we force ourselves to make drastic changes when we don't actually need to, and how that affects us and everyone around us.
HnK's story is one of a kind, from a really unique world to very unique ideas. While I don't mind "repetitive" stories, having one like this once in a while is always a breather.
Character: 10 (Small Spoilers)
At the start of the show, I never would've guessed that this would've been my most praised part of the show. The characters were good, but nothing too great. But after finishing the show, this category is so clear out of any of them, mostly because of Phos.
The way I described it might seem like Phos is the usual cheerful and dumb protagonist. And honestly, yeah. But throughout the series, without spoiling much, Phos goes through an incredible arc that not only is a great arc by itself, it yet again ties with the lore and symbolism of the story. What makes us change? Do we even need to change? How much of ourselves do we need to sacrifice to make a new identity? Those ideas and many more are explained through Phos, making her one of the best protagonists in animanga.
Even though Phos is undeniably the star and the best character of the show, I find myself also loving the side characters, for a really unique reason: these characters could easily fit in basic character molds, but they never actually do that. They always have one or more characteristics that completely change them from the norm.
Diamond, the cute and happy older sister of Phos would've fit perfectly with the mold of the breather relief character, that's always supporting others. But the way she differentiates herself is by believing in everyone - except herself. Dia is always shown to believe and idolatrize everyone. But because of that, she never notices her own abilities, always belittling herself. And when she let's her true feelings out, you get some surprisingly unnerving scenes.
Bort in the other hand, is the sturdy, strong and serious character, that is always looking for fighting and saying how stronger she is than everyone else - except that she never does that. Bort, even though she might not seem like it, tries to help everyone else by enhancing their abilities, and she truly cares for her fellow gems, all to take care of Sensei.
And speaking of him, Sensei also doesn't fit the usual "Sensei" mold. (Slight spoilers). The "Sensei" of the show is normally a character that everyone listens to, and that the protagonist respects and aspires to be. But in actuality, we could consider Sensei the antagonist. His ideas go against Phos ideals, and not only that, he holds many secrets that nobody knows of. In fact, Phos goal is to debunk him by the end, which normally doesn't happen.
This review got pretty long, but in short words, this is a show that might seem difficult to digest and enjoy, but believe me, once you get submersed into the world, you're up for an experience like no other. Then again, this show definitely isn't for anyone, but try it out, you'll be doing a favor to yourself
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Nov 9, 2020
Houseki no Kuni
(Anime)
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"Why not start by changing from within? You could try doing things that you don't normally do."
-Diamond This is my first review, and even though I'm not amazing with the words i choose, I really wanted to write a review on this show, since it means so much to me. Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) was an oddball when it first came out. An anime that went under many peoples radars, but that once given at least a bit of the reputation it deserved, passed limits that were unimaginable. Sadly, I wasn't into anime when it was first airing, but now I can ... |
