Destiny of the Shrine Maiden

Kona_chan★ 8

In my opinion, Kannazuki no Miko could have been a real masterpiece, or at least something very close to that. Unfortunately, it has its bad(but it also depends on the viewer point of view) elements. The plot it's not one of the best ever written but it really has quality and potential, expecially if you are fascinated by japanese folklore. That's why I found it very intriguing, not particulary original tough. The best point about KnM is all about the way the part of the plot involving the main characters relationships is developed and their characterisation, expecially the one regarding Chikane. It's really intense how the animedepics in a delicate yet very strong way her personality, her feelings. She's probably the best character in the whole work but the others are not bad at all, even if the antagonists seems to lack in something, they're not as interesting as they probably should be. The voice acting was pretty god in my opinion, it has really high moments, but, even if it sure has its ups and downs, it doesn't even come close to "bad",never. Aother very good point in the show is the soundtrack. First of all, the opening and the ending theme are extraordinary and really suits the anime. Overall the music and sounds that go along with this show are good too. Also, graphic in general, and character design are really, really good. The style is enjoyable, pretty but not too much, the colors are perfect. The animation on the other hand, are qualitatively instable. Some can really impress you, and some can even perplex you. There's just something that can bother someone while watching the show. I'm referring to the action scenes. Not that there's something wrong with them of course, 'cause they should be there but...well, some kind of viewers could really find the Mecha scenes bothersome. Somehow It feels like they doesn't fit, that they aren't necessary for the show. They don't have the power to possess the same or at least a similar relevance and intensity that the character relationships have. It's like that for almost every mecha scene, excuding maybe just a few. It seems like they don't have a strong, real reason to be there, so they could be really annoying. Also, they're not really good, qualitatively speaking.. So, in the end, if you're ok with mecha action, and of course, homosexuality doesn't bother you, just try this, 'cause Kannazuki no Miko really deserves it. Ps: Since English's not my motherlanguage, I truly hope i just wrote something understandable X°°D

alteredcourse★ 5

A timid young girl named Himeko has a fateful meeting with Chikane, the elegant daughter of an obscenely wealthy family. There's an immediate emotional connection between them, but Chikane, bound by protocol and social convention, finds herself unable to act on her feelings while Himeko is kind of dating her bland childhood friend Souma. By the time the first credit sequence plays out it's revealed that they're the latest reincarnations of shrine maidens who must defend the world from a mythical beast who wants to destroy it for some reason. Ooookay. The more I watched this show the more convinced I became that it's all anelaborate pisstake. Let's take the bad guys, who include a busty vixen, a loli catgirl, a failed pop star, and a bored manga artist. They attack the maidens and Souma randomly, usually one at a time and with no apparent strategy, in giant robots that literally appear out of nowhere. After the battles the girls return to their normal (relatively speaking) lives as if nothing had happened. It's full of clichés and self-consciously dramatic moments like heart wrenching speeches and sudden gusts of wind that signify events of great meaning. It laughs in the face of concepts such as subtlety. But, really, that's all window dressing. Kannazuki no Miko is really about the developing relationship between Chiakne and Himeko. The problem is that Chikane is the only interesting character in the entire show. Himeko is continually bawling and wallowing in doubt and self pity. Souma is the stereotypical hot blooded love interest who'd do anything to protect his object of affection and he shouts a lot. Ugh, who cares? The bad guys spend most of the show standing around in their own little dimension doing nothing, and receive token development by way of a brief image montage. Yet there was something that kept me coming back for more. It was certainly not the clunky animation, bland designs, or pedestrian direction. It might have been the promise of hot girl-on-girl action or simply the trainwreck-like quality of the storytelling. Kannazuki no Miko is pure soap opera melodrama and I was unable to tear my eyes away from the carnage unfolding on my screen. It's utterly awful but in a strangely compelling way.