dibbert.mozelle - 2016-08-18 19:34:39

This is NOT one of the most underrated anime of all time. That said, this is still a good anime. You aren't missing too much by not watching this, but this is worth a watch, if that makes sense. The story follows an oddly shy samurai(Masanosuke/Masa) who consistently finds himself in and out work because of how reliable he seems. After losing his latest job, Masa wonders around town looking for work until he is greeted by Yaichi, who brings him dumplings when he begins to lose confidence. Yaichi hires Masa to be his bodyguard, and on Masa's first job with him, he surprises Yaichi with some exceptional swordsmanship. Masa then finds out that Yaichi makes his money by very questionable means and begins to regret taking the job until he meets Yaichi's entire gang, The Five Leaves. After spending time with them, Masa suspects the gangs' actions are not as sinister as the may seem and grows attached to them even though he does not completely agree with what they do. After some time, Masa gets increasingly interested in Yaichi, attempting to learn more about his past, while also unintentionally helping the Five Leaves with some jobs.

The story in this anime takes some time to get interesting, but I still found myself enjoying every episode of it. The way the main five characters communicate with each other is cool. None of them are really friends, but there is a mutual respect among them. They're a group of individuals that speak more like comrades rather than close friends. Character development is good, but not great. Some characters are more interesting than others, but none of them really stand out too much. While the music isn't anything too present in this one, the moments when it is there and the moments of silence, do help convey the kind of situation and place the characters are in. The animation... is different. Some people might not like it, but I welcome any anime that brings something new. Its sharp, and portrays the Edo period well. Its also worth mentioning that most of the show is relaxed. If your looking for some action or tense moments, you won't find much of them here. That's not to say there isn't any conflict at all in this one, but that most of it is relatively peaceful. When the story reaches its conclusion, everything comes together nicely. Most, if not all of the questions you may have had watching this show, would have been answered by the time it ends. 

If you don't have much to watch, or feel like you can take a break from all the great anime in the world, this is worth a look.

carolyne79 - 2015-07-31 20:02:58

House of Five Leaves is an utterly mesmerizing Samurai drama that follows the dealings of a gang of thieves called Five Leaves in Edo Japan, who focus on kidnapping and ransom to make a profit. Despite the intriguing premise the show sadly went overlooked by most at the time of its release. This is likely due to the focus on dialogue and character interaction rather than swordplay and large-scale fights. It's a real shame too because the characters themselves are really something to behold.

Each member of the Five Leaves gang receives a small character arc that delves into their motivations and attitudes towards thievery. The show constantly explores the idea of when it is and isn't okay to commit a crime. Some are earning money to support another, others are following a code of loyalty, but each of the five members has their reasons. The audience is really allowed to reflect on what they would do in the situations of these characters and that is why the drama is so easy to resonate with. House of Five Leaves understands the importance of family, and the limits one would go through to maintain a relationship. The fear of isolation looms over everyone in our cast, and abandonment is a demon that can inflict scars deeper than those on one's skin.

These scars come to light little by little through the character Yaichi. A lot of times mystery-box characters are handled poorly because they're too distant to care for, but in Yaichi's case his cool composure and mysterious aura just add to his overwhelming charisma. He is drawn with a long face and snake-like eyes, which speaks volumes about his character's constant scheming. His distance actually makes him all that much more intriguing, and it fits very realistically within the realms of his character considering his history, which all comes full circle in the show's very emotional finale.

That isn't to diminish the rest of the cast however. The main character Masanosuke is clearly depressed and suffers from social anxiety, but he never wallows in self-loathing and is always doing his best to better himself which makes him extremely likable and relatable. His depression never overpowers the show however, as it's handled in such a subtle way that it blends into the background, which keeps the tone from getting too morbid. His honest and innocent yet cowardly nature gives him great chemistry with the aforementioned Yaichi, who acts as his composed and secretive and foil. Masanosuke also has a nice dynamic with a cop named Yagi, who acts as somewhat of a mentor figure to him, and allows Masanosuke to discover a lot about himself. His gradual growth towards the Five Leaves members is something really pleasant to watch, as by the end it feels like they've created their own little family inside Ume's bar.

While Take, the girl of the group, got the short end of the stick in terms of screen-time, (as she is the only one who isn't fleshed out through an arc) she and the other members add some very valuable life into the series. House of Five Leaves opts for a very relaxed and slow paced atmosphere rather than one of tension and excitement. Despite its slow burn feel the show never becomes dull due to the brilliant character interaction. In fact, this atmosphere gives the show a very unique identity. It exudes the same feelings one would receive sitting by the fire, and smoking a pipe as the clouds float gently through the sky, and the feeling is sold through its masterful presentation.

The mystery and serenity generated by the music harken back to a simpler Japanese time, while the earthy yet faded colour pallet simultaneously captures the clouded and distant minds of the characters as well as the natural beauty of the time period. Characters are designed with unnatural eyes and triangular noses, creating a feeling of unease; a feeling that something is clearly not right with these people.

This really shows how well directed the series is. There are no long bouts of exposition or inner monologues used to tell the story. Instead, the show utilizes the environment to give itself depth. Little things like curtains creating barriers between characters, wide shots displaying isolation, or dark lighting conveying scheming and negativity. It's these little nuggets of cinematic expression that keep House of Five Leaves engaging.

The biggest issue I have with the series is the ending. It is very emotional ride and even has a clever throwback to the first episode, but there is a lack of closure regarding Masanosuke. I would've liked to see a more distinctive change in his attitude, and while it seems like he's found his place in life amongst Five Leaves, he hasn't fully worked through his social awkwardness. That said, the other character arcs were all tied up nicely, and for a show so small in scale the ending is satisfyingly humble.

Overall House of Five Leaves is a very rewarding experience with a very tranquilizing atmosphere and a well written and mature cast of characters. I would recommend it to almost anyone as the drama has such a wide appeal, but if you're in the market for raw spectacle then you should look elsewhere.

amir.harris - 2013-07-19 20:50:42

Saraiya Goyou, or House of Five Leaves, is the latest work by cult studio Manglobe. Now, while it isn't generally a good idea for a critic to speak personally, it bears mention that this is the first time I have ever seen anything by Manglobe, so I can't really comment on how it compares to their previous works. However, the fact that Manglobe already have a cult following in spite of only having four previous works to their name (Samurai Champloo, Ergo Proxy, Michiko to Hatchin and Seiken no Blacksmith) says quite a lot about this studio. Now, I don't know if Saraiya Goyou is in the vein of their other works, but this is likely considering that Manglobe are known for having a completely unique style and presentation, both in story and visuals, and Saraiya Goyou not only delivers on this, but it does so in spades.The show revolves around a swordsman for hire. Right now, you may well be thinking of some underrated master swordsman, a badass with amazing skill, who slays men in their thousands. This could not be further from the truth. Whilst the swordsman, our main character Akitsu Masanosuke (usually called "Masa" for short) is a competent swordsman, he is completely human. There is nothing truly special about him. He is, however, rarely hired, in part because he looks so harmless. But this all begins to change when he meets a strange man calling himself Yaichi, who actually agrees to hire him. However, as Masa soon discovers, he's been hired to work for a group of kidnappers. He initially tries to leave, but soon finds himself more and more immersed in the criminals' world.Now, it's worth noting that this show has a very unusual art style. This can be extremely offputting to some people, which, alongside with the slow pace of this show, probably account for the incredibly low ratings this show had upon airing. This is a great shame, because as of writing this is probably the best anime of 2010. It starts off quite slow, making it hard to rope viewers in, but it slowly but surely hooks the viewer. The pace is often considered to be the best and worst thing about this anime. It seems boring, but at the same time, utterly captivating. It's strange, but no matter how slow the show is, you never want to stop watching. At the same time, the slow pace can make the important moments all the more impressive and memorable.When it comes to the cast, most of them are good characters, and there are no bad characters in this show. However, the ones everyone remembers are the leading pair, Masa and Yaichi. Lesser characters like Ume and Matsu are memorable, but they aren't nearly as impressive. While Masa starts out as awkward, spineless, and mildly annoying, over the course of the series he gradually comes out of his shell. He comes to impact the plot strongly, form bonds with the Five Leaves, and prove his worth repeatedly in a fantastic display of character development. While he isn't as impressive as Rock from Black Lagoon, another character who started out in a similar fashion, he's certainly a character worthy of praise. Yaichi, on the other hand, is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. He is the mysterious leader of the Five Leaves, and a highly interesting character. To speak of his past is to ruin the entire plot of the show.Now, while the art style is offputting for some, it is by no means bad. It doesn't take long to get used to, and the art is produced to a high standard, as is the animation. Both are joined with an interesting style that focuses on a subtle, yet rich darkness. A large amount of the series is set at night, viewed only by candlelight, if even that. The daytime scenes are often indoors, under shadow. And the high-quality production extends to the soundtrack as well. The background music is distinct and memorable, giving a unique feel to the show. The opening theme, "Sign of Love", is a great song that grows on you more with each passing episode. The only problem I have with the soundtrack is the ending theme, a fun, bouncy song that invariably seems completely out of place at the end of each episode.While Saraiya Goyou is by no means a show for everyone, it is a great watch for those who can appreciate it. Some patience will be necessary for viewing it, but it will not go unrewarded.Final Words: Watching every other Manglobe show just shot up significantly in my priorities.Animation/Graphics: 9/10Story/Plot: 9/10Music/Background: 9/10Overall: 9/10

vmarquardt - 2013-07-16 09:56:55

Know how in algebra class where they teach your formulas that essentially become hardcoded into your brain where upon later in life it just becomes automatically translated?In a way, character development and how plots revolve around them, become a formula that we get accustomed too.House of Five Leaves is, basically, the formula explaining that. Like learning the formula, it'll take some effort, you might enjoy the exp. some parts, find other parts quite boring, but... hey, you'll get something outta it!Or... did you already learn this formula???Automatically comparing this to Ristorante Paradiso, would be the same as inevitably comparing Durarara! to Baccano!... in more ways than one(!).But unlike Paradiso, we aren't just spending time enjoying life, taking in the air, and feeling like life has more than a couple surprises in life.Five Leaves mixes this with a rather surprising story that almost loses itself in it, but picks itself right up in time and in tandem with it's overall Time of Eve/Mushishi-like tone.Akitsu Masanosuke, a man of few words and actions, currently suffers a very likely situation today: getting sacked.Feeling down and hungry he bumps into another man who treats him a full stomach... and slowly fills his soul... and not in a shonen-ai way.Meeting several of the man, Yaichi‘s, friends, he is taken aback with how cozy and embracing the company of people are. Sure, he's a bit anxious about them all being Robin Hoods, but he feels peace at the House of Five Leaves.See? You can hardly blame me for thinking "Ristorante Paradiso".So we spend time letting the show tell us about the members, each one adding to Masa’s opinion and viewing of the world. It's grating that the progression is simply handed to us; with little to no effort for finding the essence, everything loses tension. Including those ultra rare fights.Then the show shifts gears too abruptly; it throws us out of our rocker tells us that to pay attention to things we thought didn't matter and quickly put the pieces together.Something similar, Baccano!, threw random pieces too in madness which also came out as utter gibberish. But... it did all that from the get-go!The shift here is alarming, tense, and unsettling; all of which was what it was prior.It feels like a trainwreck is imminent, so it's up to your skills with Memory Game to sort through the pieces and decipher... or else suffer the wrath of your own incompetence! Wa-ha-ha-ha!(Don Konoji-style!)And there you have it! Perhaps the fact that I could say my previous sentence, further cements that the show was too simple, that much, much more should’ve been done.And this being noitaminA, you should expect to get the most for your time.With Baccano and Durarara! you felt the same uncanny energy.With Risto P. and House of FL, you instantly recognize the character designs, tone, etc which equals out to be a slightly bitterer tasting Mushi-Shi.And like Mushi-shi the art, and everything around it, are meant to be taken in.Nice pull back views, up close details of subtle "everyday" motions/objects, and expressions designed to show viewers the subtleties of their moods.Clearly, a show that’s more about experiencing and less being swept away.You'd think Manglobe would be able to handle the quality better than how Studio Pierrot handled Risto P. After all, they did do another peculiar samurai series!But, some partial weaknesses retain; mid-distance blurring on the characters’ rendering. Some backgrounds come off as cartoony than keeping with the style, and the sparse action scenes are without immersion.But then again, these are nitpicks, Manglobe conserving their funds with fewer series, shows more than not.Combo team, Yukio Kondoo and Kayo Konishi, are names that will be instantly remembered once you've seen and heard the hauntingly moving score they put out in Elfen Lied.While House of FL, doesn't compete with the highlight of their career, one can’t say that it’s useless.Far from useless actually. Eclectic mixes of instruments are big signs of devoting and caring enhancing, just ask the King named Susumu Hirasawa!We have your average pre-modern Japanese folk music, mixed with some French lulling, gentle studious sounding piano scales, and, for those moments where your hairs slightly raise, expect low raising eerie tempo rises...Then there's the alarmingly upbeat OP. It's a huge about-face that mostly translates it's essence. More like hinting really, but it's soothing and calming too. Which is definitely what House of Five Leaves is.The END(no pun intended), however, doesn't blend NEARLY as well as everything else.It's not just the earsplitting shift in the genre, it's how it affects the end of each episode.With a very lethargic series like this, don't expect peppy characters with quirks or moves that beg you to imitate them.Memorable they aren't, but real, growing, and recognizable they still are. Biggest strength of the series, is that the characters help create it's signature mood instead of enjoying it like Risto P.The reason is that there's growth in every character, not just one.Masa's inward journey in how to see life, is given the most focus, but then we see time delegated to others in how they are affected by him.Yaichi's initial attitude at Masa and his surroundings, begin to sway, the other members leech to Masa's curious and open nature, ending up with everyone teaching and learning from each.All part of the "Character Development Formula", but at least it proves it's effectiveness.Not being able to handle deliberate actions and events(telling instead of showing), will be up to the person watching.But the effects can't be denied or discredited; if you haven't experienced a slow burner before, staying at the same walking pace with House of FL might convince you of their promises...…but if you haven't or simply dislike slow burners, you might as well stop reading.I know a guy who has a knack for seeing how something could be easily simplified into a few short sequences when it's "padded" out.He would call this his Exhibit A, and preach to others the art of "compressing and filtering" the bull.After all, time is precious so we should try to get the most out of it.While that's relative, he's got a point when it comes to entertainment; you have to care. You have to be satisfied when it's doing it's thing.Chances of burning out from the pacing do exist. Be best to intake this with patience, awareness, and open-mindedness.At the time, House of Five Leaves became of the very few titles of noitaminA where the ratings dipped below normal.It's easy to see why, but also consider the source: Tomomi Mochizuki only does this. In Ocean Waves, about 70% of the time was setting up the simplistic plot with it's feel, and 30% was the actual story.It's a format that borderlines on insulting the audiences’ ability to intake information.And it wastes time; since other series(like Escaflowne) can do everything in one go.The show's payoff all depends on preference, which proves the show is yielding and submissive.People tend to hang out with smiling people than frowning ones.But the show is about looking past all that too. It's about learning as much about people instead of letting people be. Why? Because the more you know about people that interest you, the higher the chances are of widening yours and theirs perspective. You'll both reflect off each other, getting more outta life.Treat it like a prescription, portion it right, do what you must to intake this brand of bittersweet elixir called House of Five Leaves.But be duly noted that effects only work the best if you haven't tasted it before.Letter Grade Time(LGT)Story: B+Art: A-Sound: A-Animation: B-Characters: B-Enjoyment: COverall: B-+ A story filled with characters that blends it's momentum, creating something that's enlightening and satisfying. Novel art, paired with novel music only make it richer with it's flavor...- ...but it's hard to get it down. Alienating and unconventional ingredients combine to make an effortlessly interpreted delivery.