The Twelve Kingdoms (2002–2003) User Reviews

For those that don't need overblown action to cover a weak plot

[ilogon · 8/10 · 28 September 2007]

Not having the eloquence of some of the previous posters here I'll just say that this anime series is an absolute pleasure to watch.

I don't mind a bit of excitement as long as it enhances a story eg Vampire Hunter D Two is a top action anime with a nice touch of gore (grin). But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the quieter things in anime as well.

The animation in 12 Kingdoms may be a bit simple in parts where a large number of people/creatures are involved or in cityscapes which tend to be somewhat empty looking but that is easily forgiven with the overall quality of the story. In addition when there are only a limited amount of characters present the drawing is quite attractive.

The series has a very strong storyline with excellent moral values and character development. It has been a real wrench to have to end a viewing session on some occasions.

That there is a female heroine in the early stages is also great. My daughter is wrapped in the series and quite miffed to be limited to 2 episodes a day!

I'd easily put this in the top 5 anime I have seen.

Wow...

[alyssaschmitt · 8/10 · 6 November 2019]

I absolutely lost myself and also found some parts of myself in this anime. Truly brilliant. Only if you love adventures and politics of leadership and beautiful friendships. Check it out man.. be your own self.

One of the best anime series out there

[jimereybat · 9/10 · 6 February 2021]

As an avid anime watcher, The Twelve Kingdoms is easily one of the best I've seen. The plot is incredible and original, the character development is outstanding, the music is gorgeous... even the animation, which looks pretty old at this point, is very charming. I just wish it was finished, it's a shame. Definitely worth giving a watch though!

A fantastic fantasy epic

[comradesal · 22 August 2004]

What particular qualities make a human being worthy of power? What particular qualities make a human being worthy of life? Can a person who is morally righteous and good be at the same time incompetent in leadership?

One of the many strengths of Juuni Kokki is how it spends much of its time answering these questions. Throughout the show, these questions are not only addressed, but are tackled with exuberance. The end result is a philosophical commentary that is unexpectedly perceptive and interesting in its analysis.

Another major point in Juuni Kokki's favor lies in its absolutely fantastic character development. At the beginning of the show, Youko (no, not "Yoko" like many people here are spelling it) is almost irritatingly pathetic. Self-centered and vulnerable, one has trouble finding any redeeming characteristics whatsoever. Gradually, however, this changes completely. By the end of the show, Youko has transformed into a wonderful human being, a person qualified to rule an entire country. Other characters, as well, undergo a similar metamorphosis. Though initially selfish, unworthy and detestable, all of them are eventually tempered into superior beings. Seeing these characters find their courage, wisdom and morality in the face of overwhelming adversity is one of the most rewarding processes that I have ever experienced.

Finally, there is a lot to be said about Juuni Kokki's overarching storyline. Though the plot initially appears to be very similar to Inu Yasha or Fushigi Yuugi, it soon changes into something completely different from either of the other two. The plot then grows and grows in complexity and depth, and ultimately achieves truly epic proportions. Not since Crest of the Stars have I seen a narrative so satisfyingly intricate and intelligent.

Though admittedly not as good as its story and characters, Juuni Kokki's animation and sound are nonetheless quite commendable. The animation hosts a very nice and fluid feel, resembling the animation styles of Record of Lodoss War and 3x3 Eyes. The character designs are all definitely above average; I especially liked Youko's design change early on in the series. In terms of music, the traditional arrangement of violins and wind pipes really works well with the overall mood of the show.

In fact, the only perceivable weakness of the anime lies in the fact that it will be a very, very long time before the U.S can see the entirety of the show. Production has ceased at episode 45, and doesn't look like it will continue for some time. However, this is less of a fault then one would think. Episode 39 is a very nice place to stop; nearly all of the plot lines are resolved at that point.

Still, whether you decide to watch Juuni Kokki now or later, make SURE that you eventually see it. With its practically unsurpassed storyline and characters, Juuni Kokki stands as one of my favorite animes of all time.

The twelve kingdoms

[annam_s · 10/10 · 26 June 2005]

First: I'm not an anime fan! I saw these series by a pure accident, simply because there was nothing else to watch on TV. Is it a masterpiece? Nah-h...I hate this word. Is it perfect? Again, by no means.

Is it wonderful in spite all it's flaws? Well, here my personal answer is a resounding YE-E-E-E-E-ES! This is not to everyone's taste, mind you.

It takes 45 episodes, 25 minutes each, of a true journey, this means the pace might be a bit slow for some. The show is overloaded with details and strange terms, which also may turn off many viewers. The animation, while very beautiful, is a bit lacking in movement department. You can see that for some seconds the picture stays still with only characters's mouth moving and many body movements are awkward and unintentionally ridiculous.

The story is, actually, just a fairy tale, which may turn off another part of the public and as for the anime/fantasy fans - the story sounds a bit too familiar and banal.

A young girl in modern Japan, Youko, suddenly finds out she actually belongs to another mysterious world, very reminiscent of ancient China, and some weird stranger takes her there, against her wish, apparently, to find her destiny. Which, of course, must be something special, because, why else this stranger named Keiki who commands some ferocious beasts, kneels before her and declares her to be his master? Yes, you've heard it hundreds times before and, definitely, will hear it another gazillion times - an ordinary man/woman finds out he's the chosen one who can save the world or whatever...bla-bla-bla...Matrix? Star wars? Lord of the Rings? Millions other versions?

Well, it's all the same all over again, i thought.Well, yes and no.

The "chosen one" here is a an insecure (and not in particularly sympathetic way)ordinary teenage-girl. She's a mumbling conformist of a worst kind, the one who's desperate to please everyone and ultimately fails on every level. Seemingly popular and "accepted" among her school friends, she's actually despised and used by everyone as a convenient mean to patch every uncomfortable hole. Youko will swallow every insult, hidden or open, will berry her head under the sand even before her parents, will do everything just to remain "a good girl" in the eyes of the others.

I won't tell you how exactly the things will flow from here on, and, yes, you can guess the general direction, but words can't describe the overall beauty of the wonderful, unpredictable (yes, i MEAN it) and very complicated storyline and fully realistic, flawed and human characters, which develop all along the series, coming a full circle of growth along with the viewer...

There's no triumphant endings, cheering crowds, big battles and sieges for 20 minutes each (well, there are some, but it's a relatively small part of the story). The ending is quiet and the whole feeling of the conclusion is very poignant, bitter-sweet and genuinely touching and rewarding.

It's about how life isn't a simple thing and its lessons are harsh and not always clear. And it's only your own responsibility which way to choose. While trying to please people you may take an easier path to became a "good" person in other's eyes, but there are things and principles that are worth fighting for, even when the closest to you don't share your opinion.

It's about the totally different world, which, at the end, appears to be not that different as it seemed. This is a movie about growing up and becoming a wholesome human being, who's ready to take upon himself not only the rights of grown-up life, but also a heavy load of the responsibilities that come with it and painful sacrifices.

Thanks to everyone involved in the production. Even without completing the whole 68 episodes as was planned, it's still a rare gem truly worth your time and money.

Marvelous Epic Fantasy, but Heed this Advice

[ken_cockerham · 10/10 · 4 June 2011]

The Twelve Kingdoms features many of the trappings of epic fantasy: a complex fantastic realm with plenty of back-story, powerful monsters, and spectacular sword duels. But at its heart The Twelve Kingdoms is really a wonderful study of how seemingly worthless people can be tempered by severe hardship into people of great character; from people you would avoid to people you would be happy to call friend. I actually felt like a better person when I finished it; not a feeling I normally get from watching anime.

But you should know a few things before you get into this excellent show: It features four separate story arcs, and only two of them actually involve the main protagonist Yuoko. I highly recommend new viewers only watch episodes 1-13 and 22-40; my five-star rating pertains primarily to just those episodes. The episodes in-between tell an unfinished and unrelated story, and are likely to leave viewers feeling frustrated. Episodes 14 and 21 are unimportant "recap" episodes I'd only recommend watching if you still feel confused after watching the first 13.

The first few episodes (1-5 and 22-29) of these story arcs can be tiresome, as the protagonists start as annoying, whiny characters; but I urge everyone to "stick with it" and keep watching as the payoff at the end is certainly worth it: Twelve Kingdoms features one of the best endings I've ever seen (at episode 39). It's important for us to see these characters as annoying and somewhat pathetic so that we fully appreciate the strong, self-aware people they become in the end. For this reason re-watching the series is a special treat; I recommend watching it again at least once.

The setting of The Twelve Kingdoms is complex and the myriad of special terms may put some people off; but I would again urge people to be patient; Yuoko generally knows less than us, and her lack of understanding is important to the story, so a bit of confusion on our part helps us to empathize with her.

Finally, I'd recommend watching the Japanese audio with English subtitles if you can stand to do so. Yuoko's voice is much more expressive on the Japanese track and features noticeable changes in tone that reflect and highlight the changes in her attitude as the story progresses. However, most of the other English voice-overs are actually fairly good.

Twelve Kingdoms is from 2002 and so the quality of the animation, while good, isn't quite up to par with modern animes like Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. There is no sexual content of any kind (and although some characters are depicted taking baths, nothing racy is seen), and almost no romantic content whatsoever. There is no gore, almost no blood shown, and most deaths occur off-screen. While many episodes feature exciting and well done action, fighting isn't quite the focus of The Twelve Kingdoms and the entire first half of the third arc (episodes 22-32) features almost no action at all. Although the content is probably safe for kids, I can't imagine any kids being able to follow the complex plot, or deal with the intense emotions portrayed within. Twelve Kingdoms isn't tame for the sake of a PG rating; it simply understands its focus is storytelling and therefore doesn't need to delve into sex or violence to make for a truly entertaining experience.

twelve kingdoms: the best anime i have seen so far

[da_modesty_blaise · 10/10 · 20 June 2006]

After i bought anime series like inuyasha, witch hunter robin and cowboy bebop and watched a few others on TV, by fluke i stumbled upon twelve kingdoms anime series. while cowboy bebop is a classic, twelve kingdoms it is the best anime i have seen so far. i was so sad when 45th episode rolled around. i was so addicted and just wanted more. needles to say i watched for 3 straight days and nights since i just could not stop. could compare to lord of the rings. not sure why marketing people don't advertise this type of quality of anime to a wider audience. it is a gem and i am sure all those hordes of lord of the rings fans would swallow this one as well.

From humble beginnings to greatness

[billebrooks · 10/10 · 28 January 2007]

Youko Nakagima's story begins simply enough when a strange blond man called Keiki tells her "I swear never to desert my post before your throne," and asks her to accept this. Initially a schoolgirl who goes along to get along, her character slowly grows into a figure of confidence and strength. Wisked away to another world, bereft of all protection except a sword and a skill-giving spirit called a hinman, Youko struggles to survive in a kingdom hostile to her very existence. Tormented by a taunting spirit monkey, Youko has difficulty even maintaining her sanity. She wonders what has become of Keiki, who seems to have deserted her, and if she will ever encounter anyone from her new world who is friendly to her.

The story of Shouryuu the King of En and the thus far incomplete story of the black kirin Taiki are also included in this 45 episode series.

Epic, hardcore fantasy with strong script and insane amount of details

[Rakshun · 10/10 · 20 March 2023]

Just rewatched it after 15 years - gosh! I took a break in watching anime, okay? ;) -, and even by todays' standards, I think, it's a very good one. It was my favorite back then and it is now still.

Yes, the age shows, the art is not as catchy, there are more stills, grand battles portrayed in small perspectives, but still, if you get involved in the world and the story, none of that will matter (the backgrounds, the buildings, the towns, the interiors, the clothes are pretty detailed). It does not have that retro anime look which prevents me rewatching many older shows, the soundtrack is epic and the English dub is acceptable (not as great as English voice talent work these days, but it's ok. You might want to listen this in Japanese.)

So about the story. First of all, Twelve Kingdoms is hardcore fantasy, there is not a single mistep in that. No boobies, no panties, no cute girls (nah, that's not true), no yummy foods, no comedy, no laughing, just blood, struggle and suffering, you can be sure about that. It is compensated by large scale world building, epic storytelling, serious dialogs, catharsis and fulfillment; the ending is one of the greatest I have ever seen, every sentence has its own weight supported by the whole story built up until then.

There is a huge collection of manga behind it and the main arc is about Youko Nakajima's detailed transformation from schoolgirl to queen. It happens in the first 39 episodes, minus those few in the middle which is about the black kirin, Taiki. (Kirins are mythical animals choosing kings and spiritually connecting with them.) Those episodes can be skipped, but you either won't make it that far or will be so involved, that you won't skip those anyway since those episodes add some more details to the world. (Youko is a bit lost in the beginning, but bear with it, she will become a godess in the end.)

What makes it interesting about Youko's journey is first the world which is very detailed, think about historic China, and well thought out with lots of lore. Secondarily and most importantly, the fact that she has to earn the throne twice. Because there is a big difference between getting the title and earning it. First she gets the throne formally and later she becomes worthy of it. "Because nobody is given anything without responsibility and if they were, that would be wrong." as Rakushun points out, who is by far the best character I have ever encountered in any anime or other medium for the matter. (Yes, he is the rat in my avatar and he becomes Youko's best friend and mentor somewhere around episode 6.)

In the second part of Youko's adventure there are two other character arcs, not as big than Youko's, but still interesting and deep, just to shake things up a little, and all these arcs culminate nicely at the end, which is episode 39 in fact. (There are six more episodes after that, but those are forgottable.)

This is my all time favourite anime. Would be nice to see a real life adaptation, but probably would never happen.

WOW

[amblilful · 10/10 · 19 August 2022]

Amazing anime, i'm floored! I love an amazing female lead. Binged the whole thing. Luckily there are 45 eps but i need someone to pick this up and make more. Not just another isekai!! WATCH IT.

Interesting World Setting; Terrible Character Development

[rexatron3000 · 3/10 · 16 January 2017]

Being an avid anime fan I can definitely say that this show has the worst character development I have seen in literally any other series or movies that I've watched, even 0 character development would be better than what most of the main characters are like in Twelve Kingdoms.

It seems that the main characters that we see the most of will literally suddenly have a change of personality every time the wind blows, even the most minor of things causes these people to have a complete change of heart, just because someone they have never even met before tells them something, they will instantly trust them, it's as if they can't think for themselves; yes some of them have been thrust into a world they don't know but any rational thinking seems to pass them by until the very end of the show. Even my 14 year old deaf cat could make better decisions than any of these people, none of whom are younger than mid teens, some of whom are over 100!!

Not only is it painful to watch such 2D characters, but at least twice there are blocks of about 5 episodes or more in a row which are compiled of about 50% of one of the female characters crying over and over again literally at 2 minute intervals and feeling sorry for themselves, as well as multiple other episodes where this is the case, it's utterly awful to put up with as a viewer and for this reason I almost gave up on the series several times, you may not make it through the first 5 due to this fact.

The only good thing about this series is the world setting, which is well detailed, and some of the plot lines are interesting, although sadly due to the fact the author didn't really give closure on some of the best story arcs (the Taiki one is the most obvious and best one that comes to mind), you will be starting to actually get into it a bit and then suddenly we don't ever hear from the characters or plot line again for the rest of the whole show.

I was going to give this 4 stars, but after writing a review, I have realised how truly awful 75% of this show was and the fact that it needs to give us closure on some major plot points is extremely annoying (even if the original author hadn't written it, it should have been added as just leaving story lines so open is ridiculously annoying to the viewer), on top of that the outcome was very predictable, so it only really deserves a 3, don't waste your time, this is the most overrated and worst anime I have ever watched.

Astounding beauty, rich story and characters

[todd-246 · 7 January 2005]

This is one of the best animes(if not THE best)I have ever experienced! The visuals are astounding. Detail is sharp and beautiful. Realistic, true to life detail and color when appropriate, yet vibrant and fantastic when necessary. Run-down villages look dusty and gritty along with the people who inhabit them. Miraculous landscapes, skyscapes, palaces etc. are lush with color and striking in design. The story is very deep, and this may turn off some people. The political and social structure of the society of the Twelve Kingdoms is covered in minute detail. I personally enjoyed this level of description, but if it becomes too much for you, just sit back and let it wash over you because the series (45 episodes) provides so much to enjoy (there is even one episode that is dedicated solely to the workings of the government and society so people can get up to speed should they get lost in all of it). Character growth, development and resolution is at the heart of this story. Definitely a show for those who enjoy conflict of philosophies and ideologies and politics. No outrageously busty half-naked anime chicks here. No wildly unbelievable Dragon Ball Z-type fighting. No too ambiguous Serial Experiments Lain-style plot lines with questionable endings. You will get female characters who are strong and seem like(get this)real people!! You will get mostly realistic combat sequences with a touch of the fantastic from time to time. You will get plot lines that actually go somewhere that will make you angry, sad, happy and even feel vindicated at times. Music should not be ignored either. At moments it is hypnotically beautiful. Music is used subtly and the best way to enjoy it is to pick up the soundtrack CDs. Music is airy and dreamlike using mostly strings and wind instruments. It fits the series perfectly, fantasy music with a slight Eastern edge to it. This anime should be a lot more popular than it is. If you see the DVDs, pick them up now!!

Interesting but...

[Snootz · 4/10 · 21 February 2021]

This is an interesting series that holds attention (on and off), but does have some issues:

Initially the primary character is such a whiny, helpless wimp she makes one want to watch something else instead . However if the viewer hangs in there, this trait turns out to be intentional, a foundation for further character development.

Too many characters in this have minimal development and are largely irrelevant to the overall developing story. This presents a strange paradox in complexity through diversity, but so much diversity that little of it is fully developed.

The worst flaw (in my opinion) is the excessive and extreme use of names and terms and deviations of names and terms. Take every fantasy book with super-odd names, pull all the names therefrom and throw it in a pot... and the result is this series. It only gets worse as the story goes along... to the point that the English-speaking audience tends to lose track of who is what and what position they hold and what is going on and who has what responsibility, because it's all just a bunch of jibber-jabber references and titles. After a while my mind simply tuned out the terms and simply focused on the plot itself. Unless one is really into this sort of thing, it's easy to get to the point of not caring what a designation means or how it applies.

Major disappointment: the 12th or 13th episode takes the buildup of all the preceding episodes, and pours them together in a quickly-narrated climax significantly different from what has gone before. It's like reading a detailed book and then getting to the last chapter, only to find out that chapter is 4 pages long and the author says, "This is what happened then..." yada yada yada. After that the plot becomes fairly sparse and iffy and somewhat repetitious.

There is a LOT of talking. Dialog is fine, and in most cases the dialog here is fine; it helps tell the story. But there's a LOT of it. Like... a LOT...

All put together this had some potential. The story was very creative and imaginative, original and interesting. But at numerous times throughout the series I found myself focusing more on the delivery than the story... and that is never good. A well-crafted story should make you forget you're being told a story. Instead, this series regularly becomes a "spoken script" and almost yells "This is a plot point!"... which distracts from the immersive experience.

So I can only rate less than "mediocre" as anime goes. The animation itself isn't that spectacular, many of the characters are underdeveloped and even useless, and the viewer never really connects emotionally with the primary characters or their stories. The ending is an anti-climatic dud. Despite the surprisingly high rating for a large number of viewers, this is an anime that many will find depressing, excessively drawn-out, and containing several weak plot elements that glorify murderers and excuse gross misdeeds in the name of "good intentions".

The poor, stilted animation doesn't help. The main thing this series has going for it is a creative world, but the character presentation and story doesn't live up to its potential. In the last 4 or 5 episodes it declines into a senseless mini-story, with a final episode that is no more than a yawner summary that fizzles to a disappointing end.

better than Fushigi Yuugi

[gjhong · 14 April 2003]

Twelve Kingdoms is an anime based on a book by Ono Fuyumi (sometimes transliterated as Ono Huyumi) that is similar to Vision of Escaflowne or Fushigi Yuugi. It tells the story of Yoko Nakajima a red-haired high school student. On the outside Yoko is popular and kind-hearted but on the inside she is full of doubts and can't express her true feelings. Her teacher wonders if she dyes her hair so her parents want her to dye it black so she will fit in. Yoko has frightening dreams of slaying monsters but her mother brushes them off as nothing to worry about. One day a strange man named Keiki comes to class and warns her of approaching danger. Monsters attack and they flee to the roof where sweethearts Yuka and Asano are chatting. Keiki wants Yoko to take up the sword and go with him to his world. She tries to refuse but when she sees her two classmates in mortal danger she accepts if they can be brought to safety too. They take a trip through a dimensional whirpool and arrive in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms.

I've seen the first story arc from episodes 1 to 13 and I understand there should be 39 in the series. The artwork is good and the backgrounds are detailed. I am glad the writer doesn't ignore problems like the language barrier when people go to another world and practical issues like getting food or seeing if strangers can be trusted. I understand Media Blasters has gotten the US rights to the series for 2003 but try to get the Japanese language version if you can. If you like stories about an ordinary person who has to grow up to become a hero you will definitely like it.

Unbearable

[deveshgoyalg · 1/10 · 9 February 2022]

This series is totally unbearable. I am on 7th episode and still I am clueless about what's the whole point. We get it the main villain will be the main character herself and someone will pull her out of darkness, but to be honest that could have been told in a language anyone can get, like the terms being used are just too irritating for the English audience. To be honest I don't think even Japanese audience would have liked it let alone western.