I hope you’re well read, because it’s time to hit the books in the anime series Dantalian No Shoka(from the fine folks at Gainax).
Set in post world war one England, Hugh Anthony Disward returns to his recently deceased grandfather’s home in order to inhereit the estate. But to do so, he must take custody of Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian(or the mystic archives of Dantalian). Who to his surprise happens to be a young girl who is the keeper of a vast collection of books containing forbidden and mystic knowledge. These are known as phantom books. Dalian has the title of “black biblioprincess” and of gatekeeper. Hugh inherits the title of “keykeeper” from his grandfather is able to unlock magic from Dalia. Together they set off on many missions to retrieve phantoms books spread through the country.
Dantalian no Shoka focuses each episode on an individual phantom book and the consequences it has on its owners. Such as a book that enables a family with murderous intentions to hide their activities, or a book owner wanting to live in the world found inside one of the books. In addition they are rather slow paced episodes filled many intricate facts leading to the solution Hugh and Dalian seek in their detective work. Each episode is also like a mini lesson in history ,art, and ancient religions. (Like a fun day at the museum, except with people with bigger eyes, and some of them on occasion die)
So yeah, you could get lost if you miss a minor detail in an episode (like a micheal bay movie on opposite day).
For example, you get tea and crumpets instead of popcorn.
Although that’s not to say it’s a bland technical show. The relationship between Hugh and Dalian is quite an amusing one. Dalian always talks down to Hugh(as well as everybody she runs into), and it becomes fun to watch her try to hide her faults and maintain her snooty attitude of superiority.(it’s also fun watching say “yes” and “no” in english) Especially when she acts like a small child whenever she gets excited about sweet buns.
See. She ain't always a snobbish bitch.
Hugh still manages to maintain his cool during Dalian’s intellectual rants. This relationship alone could have made a good show.
Thrown in the mix are Hugh’s childhood friend(who always dresses in flashy outfits),rival keykeepers/biblio princesses and a whole bunch of other characters for an interesting cast.
And on occasion you do get some action. Usually In the form of giant, flashy magical attacks cast by Hugh. This is done by chanting spells and pulling power from Dalian herself when things such as supernatural enemies pop up. Of course on smaller situations, Hugh is okay with pumping you full of lead with his six shooter. Then you can add some of his flashbacks as pilot during world war one for some proof that Hugh is no slouch.
A cap in yo ass. Hugh style.
And that is the tale of Dantalian no Shoka. A thinking man’s anime about venturing into mystical knowledge and blowing a lot of shit up. A good lesson In the power of learning(which is probably a foreign concept to schools in America).
About the author: Glitch is a digital demon from planet Fanboy, and is here to teach us humans a thing or two. You can find more of his reviews(and nonsense) over at http://www.youtube.com/takenoutofcontext.