Long Post: My Thoughts on Twelve Kingdoms

Ko-o · Post by **Ko-o** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 12:09 pm

I just finished viewing the whole 45 episodes of Twelve Kingdoms. Spent two whole days to finish it all. Have to say that it was worth it. Twelve Kingdoms is a great anime. However, I am a bit frustrated because there is so many issues that were left unresolved at the end of it all. Anyways, here's my thoughts on some of the unresolved issues and the stories, peoples and going-ons in the Twelve Kingdoms. My apologies if this post is too long, but it's my first one and I'm really excited about this anime. My apologies.

1) What happened to Taiki and Tai-o? I think this is by far the biggest mystery of the series. From the anime itself, there are a number of episodes which alludes to a rebellion in Tai Kingdom within the first year of Tai-o's enthronement, and that Tai Kingdom is currently in a civil war. It is quite clear that Tai-o and Taiki are not dead because Taiki is clearly in Horai (Japan) and according to Enki (or was it Keiki?), no birds (not sure of their names but it's the one that flew to Keiki and Yo-o to tell them that Tai-o have been enthroned) have flown to the other kingdoms to say that Tai-o is dead. My own thoughts are that there was indeed a rebellion which led to civil war, and Tai-o and Taiki are in hiding. Taiki returned to Horai naked, which means that he must have been in Kirin form before he fled through the Storm. I read in a discussion below that Taiki may have lost his horn as his forehead was bleeding. This seems to be very plausible and may explain why Taiki remembers very little of his time as a Kirin.

2) Here's my thoughts on the Kirins that we were introduced to. Keiki is too serious and uptight. Personally, I think he is not a good Kirin because he lacks any political skills, and to serve as an adviser to Kei-o, he should have some political skills. Personally I think it would have been better if he had voiced his objections even if it would not change Kei-o's decision to expel Kokan from Baku State. At least, that would show Kei-o that he is aware of what is going on in the court and the kingdom. On the other hand, despite his young age, Enki is very good when it comes to court matters. Even though he is a Kirin and is not supposed to go against En-o, he is always willing to let his objections known and is always there when the opportunity to chastise (or ridicule) En-o comes up. I really pity Ho-rin and Ko-rin. They were killed for the stupidity of their kings. However, Ko-rin did the right thing in sacrificing herself to save Kei-o and ultimately Ko Kingdom from the stupidity of Ko-o. On the other hand, Ho-rin was murdered. Gekkie did mention that Ho-rin had chosen the wrong Ho-o twice. Perhaps, it's true, and that is why there is no Ranka for Ho-rin, but Ko-rin's Ranka is there almost immediately after Ko-rin died. But then again, it's not her fault. As a Kirin, she can't deny the will to choose the king no matter how bad the king will be. Sai-rin seems to be a very merciful Kirin (and is definitely the most beautiful of the Kirins we have seen). It's a pity we saw little of her, but she seems to be a very good Kirin. The funniest Kirin have got to Kyoki. It's really funny the way he is bullied by Kyo-o. I couldn't help but laugh when he was slapped by Kyo-o. The one that I really want to know more about is Renrin. She seems to be a mystery. Plus, she seems to be the only one who has that bracelet that can control the portal to Horai. She seems to be a very special Kirin. even though we never saw Sorin in the anime, I do wonder about her also. According to Enki, Sorin was the one that found Enki in Horai. I really wonder what she was doing in Horai at the time.

3) Here's my thoughts on the kings and queens we were introduced to. Let's not talk about Ho-o or Ko-o, as there is no doubt that they were lousy as kings and deserve to lose their kingship. I do pity the former Kei-o though. Yo-o seemed reluctant to be queen, and in the end, she had to kill herself to save Keiki. Even though we know she did it out of love for Keiki, I kind of respect her for being able to sacrifice herself. Sai-o seems so motherly and I think, will be a very good queen. I may be wrong, but she just seems to be an all-round nice and responsible person. Definitely have to be the motherly aura around her. We all know that En-o is a good king. Though I feel the credit for En Kingdom's success should go to both En-o and Enki. I do feel it's the good relationship between En's king and Taiho that made En Kingom so prosperous. I do want to know more about Kyo-o. She seems so young, and based on her looks should be around 13 or 14 years old when she became queen. But, it seems that Kyo Kingdom have been doing fine under her rule. Would like to find out more about her background, how she became queen and why she is so successful. Another thing, her relationship with Kyoki is really funny. I get the feeling she bullies Kyoki a lot.

For those who have read up to here, thank you for reading and my apologies for such a long post. Hopefully, I made some sense. I just wanted to get all these thoughts off my chest. My apologies again.

Ko-o · Post by **Ko-o** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:08 pm

Thank you thesmokingman for your kind words.

Actually, as soon as I had finished writing that post, I stumbled upon the website you gave. Hopefully, Ono-sensei will complete the story. I am finally beginning to understand what is going on in Tai kingdom and also the other kingdoms like Ren. Would be good if they animated it in "The Twelve Kingdoms 2".

yuna-ling · Post by **yuna-ling** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:44 am

Always glad to have another fan

You don't really have to apologise so much, I always like to read reviews

Actually I'd also like to write a loooooong review on Juuni Kokki to express my excitement , views etc

Luingaladhien · Post by **Luingaladhien** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:29 pm

Congrats, Ko-o!

You have finally finish watching the whole 45 episodes of 12K!!

An interesting review you have there.

About the novel transalations...

I can't find the novel transalation for Kaze no Banri, Reimei no Sora "A Great Distance In The Wind, The Sky At Dawn".
It is the third arc and one of the longest in Juuni Kokki. The story is about Yoko, Suzu and Shokei freeing Wa Province in Kei. A very captivating story.

I wasn't able to search thoroughly for it on the internet (due to my slow connection). I've tried every link I can find, but to no avail.

I only managed to find the 1st, 2nd, 4th and other arcs transalation at various websites and otyaku.com.

I was wondering if anyone could let me know the link to find it?
It would be of great help! ^_^

Yume Li · Post by **Yume Li** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 8:55 pm

If you can read chinese, you can try http://67.19.223.123/htmpage/66/6611/index.htm

Do anyone know what other website had translations?

Ko-o · Post by **Ko-o** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 10:46 pm

I have been looking for the translations also. So far, have only been to Otyaku.com to check out the mystery behind Tai Kingdom.

The one that I'm really looking for is the translation of "Tonan no Tsubasa" (might be the wrong name). It's the novel about how Kyo-o became Kyo-o. Am really interested to find out how a 12 year old girl can become a queen that have been ruling for nearly 90 years and more.

Mental note to myself: go learn Japanese, so that you don't need to search high and low for English translations. Hehehe

Yume Li · Post by **Yume Li** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:52 am

The chinese translation had translated all the novels except for 'Wandering' ,and 'Dream of Kasho'
http://67.19.223.123/htmpage/66/6611/index.htm

Ko-o · Post by **Ko-o** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:55 pm

Sadly enough I can't read Mandarin also

Luingaladhien · Post by **Luingaladhien** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:43 pm

Same here... it's a shame I can't read mandarin either.

Would anyone be soooo kind as to transalate it for us??

Yume Li · Post by **Yume Li** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:29 pm

Otyaku.com will be translating Tonan no Tsubasa(The Aspired Wings) soon. Maybe after translating Kasyo no Yume(The Dream of Prosperity).

Ko-o · Post by **Ko-o** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:56 am

Isn't Kasyo no Yume the one where Taiki went to Ren Kingdom on the ambassadorial trip? If that's the one, then I believe Otyaku.com have completed the translations.

Ren-o seems to be a very slack king, but he seems wise enough to be a good king. Quite funny to read about him being chastised by Ren-rin for being too informal. He was doing some farming when Taiki met him.

Yume Li · Post by **Yume Li** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:14 am

There are 5 parts in the book. The first part is when Taiki go to Ren. Second part is when Kantai go to Hou to give Gekkei letters from Youko and Shokei. Third part is the letter from Youko to Rakushun. Fourth part is about Sai. Last part is about the year of the reign of rulers.