Review of Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage
Reikenzan is a story of Oriku, very clever (with stress on mischievious aspect of word "clever") boy striving to become a deity through various tai-chi-esque eastern sage mumbo jumbo, with a light-hearted comedy mixed in. Now, this is IMPORTANT, for people who might start watching this series: take care to choose the 'correct' subtitles, as there are ones that translate everything explicitly to english, and ones that don't bother to translate proper nouns, which, taking into account the amount of nomina propria in this show makes those subs nigh worthless. There's not much for me to say, I love this anime, so I certainly won't be objectiveabout it. All I can say is that you watch one episode. If you liked it, you'll like it all, if you didn't, then move on.
Just one thing to clear up. There's a persistent opinion in various reviews that this show has got "no plot" (lol). Indeed, there's no new villain every episode, no "hot springs" OVA or any other cliched bullshit, however I don't understand how should it varrant a point deduction in grading this show. This isn't a shonen mecha superpowers anime, and if you want to watch one, there's a fuckton of them gathering metaphorical dust on the internet.
Here, the plot is about self-growth and deification. The End, Fin, Thank You For Watching. And, personally, I think it's a wonderful thing for anime to do, especially when it can only air a measly amount of 12 episodes, because it can concentrate on interactions and personal growth of the characters.
Personally what hurts me most is that this anime is quite unique, with its plot progressing at slice of life pace and overloaded with fantasy.
P.S. If there ARE anime like this one, do PM me a title, rewatching this series because there are no similiar anime gets old after 4th time...