Hourou Musuko Wandering Son

When people ask me, a PhD candidate in Literature who has spent a lifetime reading Shakespeare, Melville, Woolf, Wilde, Austen, and many other "great" authors, why I watch anime, a show like Wandering Son is usually the answer. I am not saying that this is some how on par with literary greatness; in order to be that, it takes time and staying power (401 years after his last new play, they are still making movies out of Shakespeare) to be eternally great, but Wandering Son has what so few shows, movies, and media have these days: the guts to go where people don't want you to go because they would prefer to not know.

In the last half century, there has been an increasing interest in LGBTQ media. Books, movies, and TV have all been slowly but steadily finding ways to introduce LGBTQ issues into our world. Most of the time, people are fine with it so long as it stays in the realm of adults. The reality is that many LGBTQ people don't suddenly become "queer" when they reach adulthood. Instead, they struggle with it early in life, into adolescence, and often times, well into adulthood. What LGBTQ media often lacks is addressing those early years and the struggle that it is to be different when young, especially in societies that frown upon it. It is a struggle that for some becomes too much and this struggle is why there is why suicide is such a risk for LGBTQ youth. Part of the problem is that there is nothing out there, in almost any media, telling them that there are other people like them, who also struggle, but can still find friends, acceptance, and even happiness. There is nothing out there to give these young people hope.

Enter Wandering Son, which may be the first thing on television anywhere dealing with pre-adolescent transgender issues as the focus of a television series drama, be it animated or live-action. This is why I watch anime; to see shows that are willing to go places that other mediums are afraid of and to find there stories of heart and courage. The characters you find here will pinch your heart, which is the only way I can describe the feeling I had while watching episode 1. Each of them is real in that they seem not like characters, but actual people, complex and confused. This is the strength of Takako Shimura's writing: she knows that she doesn't have the answers to life and that the struggle to form the question is what most of us deal with. Her characters always seem authentic (see Aoi Hana) because she remains aware of this and her characters demonstrate this awareness. You don't have to be an LGBTQ person to understand these characters or to like the story; you only have to know that you have a heart and that you can feel for people who suffer and hope for the end of their suffering. I bet that there is not a single person reading this review who doesn't know what that is like and how overwhelmed and amazed one feels when great suffering is eased, even if it's just a little bit.

This is a character driven story, so the plot is a standard slice-of-life that will be revealed through the day-to-day lives of the characters in the series. If slice-of-life is not your cup of tea, give this a chance anyway. Wandering Son may be a genre defying show in bringing serious story to slice-of-life in a way that does not become trite or cliche. As opposed to comedy slice-of-life, don't expect this to be light, and expect to cry. The music and art, much like Aoi Hana, sets the mood beautifully and pulls you out of the world you live in and brings you right into the world of the characters. You will lose yourself in the art of this show.

At only 11 episodes, you really don't have an excuse for not watching this show. Wandering Son will restore hope in the heart of the most jaded anime fan and it will leave you wishing there was more of this story, or at least more stories as well done as this. While the subject matter is mostly what I focus on, that aside, Wandering Son is an amazingly beautiful show that demonstrates the power that animation can have. Disney and Pixar should take notes from this series.

As a person who comes into contact with the field of sociology every now and then, and by extension discussions on gender and sexuality, the description of this show instantly drew my attention towards it. Sitting down to watch, and spurred on by other reviews, I was expecting to sit down to a deep and interesting series that put a spotlight on gender issues (helped by the title of the first episode "What Are Little Girls Made of?"). I...had a bit of a lukewarm reaction to the series.

Now don't get me wrong, it is a good series, and maybe my expectations of what was about to happen were a little high, but I do feel like the storyline could have been handled better. My two biggest issues deal directly with our main leads: Nitori and Takatsuki.

I'll start with the simplest issue, Takatsuki's side of the story; it kind of got buried under Nitori's, and I'm disappointed that it really didn't get as much attention as it probably should have. However, I can be fair and state an alternate view on this; Takatsuki's story doesn't get as much attention as Nitori's simply because society is more accepting of "girl wanting to be a boy" than "boy wanting to be a girl" and so less potential for dramatic storytelling. This comes to a head in one of my favorite episodes of the series, and is briefly discussed in character, but still, for being the other main lead I feel Takatsuki's story didn't get the depth that Nitori's did and so it suffers.

Of course, I also have an issue with Nitori's storyline, and that issue is that by the end I feel like we really didn't get anywhere with it. Let me explain. Throughout the series I was waiting for some kind of moment, some kind of discussion on why Nitori wants to be a girl with some level of passion on Nitori's part. Instead, all I got was everyone saying he looked cute, putting him in dresses, and Nitori just kind of accepting it (minus one scene later on, but he gets kind of passive again afterwards). I just really feel like Nitori's wanting to be a girl was TOLD to us more than SHOWN (outside of crossdressing, but cross-dresser=/=transgender), and with all the comments about how 'cute' he was seeming to be the only real reason given for crossdressing, it seemed more like he was wanting to be a girl just to conform to what everyone else wants and what society says is appropriate (guys are handsome and tough, girls are cute and dainty).

And so overall, by the end of the series, I almost felt like nothing was that accomplished in terms of the major storylines. I should note this opinion is only relevant to the anime; I have yet to take a look at the manga, and I am tempted to because what I do know of it seems like it fixes many of the issues I'm discussing here. Therefore, it may be safe to say my issues here deal more with the shortness of the series (11 episode) than an inherent flaw of the premise itself.

On a more positive note though, the characters in of themselves are interesting and fun to watch; it's just their storylines felt a little 'anti-climatic'. If given more time and some better pacing, though, I'm sure it would have been fine. Also, the animation of this series is absolutely GORGEOUS in it's watercolor like design. I would really like to know the studio that did the animation so I can take a look at their other series cause I would really love to see more animes in this kind of style.

So my final word on this series would be this: if you're interested in a series that has a deep, detailed discussion of gender and sexuality, this is about the best you're going to get. While it could have been handled better, it doesn't do a bad job, and I appreciate the serious look at the topic instead of falling to prey to the more 'comedic' potential of "gender bending".

this anime is interesting to say the least. it really opens your eyes to see two genders male and female cross dressers. it really can show how one choice to show the world something they love to do can effect them even cause in bullying but i am someone who excepts people for who they really are so it makes me feel mad about how the other characters judge them. i think that this anime is well detailed in how they show this. i personally love this anime for the lessons it shows whether or not they planed them is be on me but i think it was great.

The idea is really short but nothing really develops. The same idea is used towards the end.

There's a cliff hanger ending which I'm not bothered to find out about.
None of the characters stand out to me, they're all very quiet. However I do like their personalities.
This kid had more support than I expected him to have, and more lovers. It was kind of a turn off, 2 is fine. But the third was just. "gtfo"

The music reflects the characters, its fairly quiet, not in the sense that it's laid back, but just quiet. The voice of the guy who sings them is annoying aswell. The themes are bad, but the bgm is alright. Nothing that I'd notice though.

Lov e this anime it rocks kicks gundams butt and ninjas. Shiganamis hide and quake. for this anime rocks. nothing much about anime really is wrong with how good it is pastel colors awsome in the whay its treated story wise.

ok at first I was a little skeptical i confess

but I am glad I gave it a shot

an excellent anime for sure!!!

at first it starts off a little slow for the first few eps

but around the middle it starts to set off!!!

it was a really sweet and enjoyable anime ^u^

what first drew me in was the unique animation style that was dreamy~

LOVED THE ANIMATION!!!

it gave it another dimension,

like I was dreaming/ fantasizing with the characters

the complicated, yet real life, relationships and interactions were splendid!

I could really understand & fall into the character's emotions & feelings...

Out of everything that was simulcast last season, this was the one that stood out the most. Because it was a lot different to everything else simulcasting on crunchy. First noitaminA slot, and taking a hugely serious topic in crossdressing and making it into an anime.

If you're looking for huge epic battles, look somewhere else, as this will have nothing of the sort in it. However, while saying that, I'd still say those people should give it a go. Anyway, it focuses on the characters as they face many challenges, like falling in love. Just like any other teenager. However, the two main characters, Shuichi Nitorin and Yoshino Takatsuki, both want to be the opposite sex. Nitorin wants to be a girl, while Takatsuki wants to be a boy.

The show itself is based on a manga series, but it actually misses out the first couple of books in the series. However, this lets you get right into it and works well, with flashbacks explaining details along the way.

The animaion has to be one of the best I've seen that isn't a movie. It's pastally-like art style gives a nice feel to the show as a whole, and one that's quite hard to explain.

Also, the music is a brilliant fit. It has a nice relaxed style going through the whole show, making the whole thing a joy to watch. The opening theme, and especially ending theme, are brilliant and I consistently find myself playing them over in my head, where as usually I would just forget it after watching it.

The characters are a nice blend which, unlike most shows, don't have pink hair or cat ears. This is completely serious. Nitorin is the focus of the show, and his character grows and changes over the 11 episodes. Same with Takatsuki, who is similar in many ways. But then there's Saorin, who is alot different to both, who is quite blunt with what she says. Saorin is a lot different than Chi, who is the craziest of the lot. Overall, every character feels like a new person, with even the side characters, like Maiko, the big model who is sided with Anna and Nitorin's sister, feeling like fleshed out human beings.

But when these all come together, they make a magnificent spectacle, and an absolute joy to watch. I am sure that this will be the best show of the year, and I would honestly rate it as one of the best things I've seen. Even if it doesn't seem like your type of show, give it a try at least, as this is brilliant. Truly amazing!

Wandering Son is an unusual anime. It’s everything you would expect from a slice of life, but it does break a couple molds.

To talk of anything before Wandering Son’s artwork is kinda foolish however. So lets begin by discussing the art. The shape of the characters is normal, however, it seems like someone has lowered the saturation on the films color. That, or the entire anime takes place in a cloud.

The character’s are drawn following the usual fashion of anime, but there is a higher emphasis on glare than I am used too.

The first episode begins with the question: “What are little girls made of.” This is followed by a middle school boy complaining about the uniform he’s been forced into. Claiming that as baggy as it is, it still feels like it’s suffocating him.

From here we get a brief introduction of our characters. But it’s done in a way that these could all be extra’s for all we know. I do like the reaction of the sister. She is waiting to go to school while her father takes a picture of her and her brother. She is very annoyed by her father’s antics, but still forces on a typical smile that seems genuine. The brother on the other hand, only barely smiles, he definitely seems depressed.

Wow, I’m 3 paragraphs in and I haven’t even gotten to the opening credits. Anyways, the opening of this anime is easily one of the worst I’ve seen. It’s slow, it’s mostly hallway pan shots. It just plain feels low budget. Like it’s only really their because it needs to be. And yet, by the third episode I can't imagine any other kind of opening for this show. It works perfectly. The song in the background is genuinely good and the animation matches it perfectly. I still feel that the show doesn't really need an opening.

I’ve never really understood openings. I get them budget wise, but if your just going to phone it in, don’t include an opening at all. I mean, for every Lupin the 3rd or Bleach’s Asterisk, there are probably 20-30 of these mostly shit openings. I say we lose them all. I’m willing to lose the one’s I love to not have to put up with these ones anymore.

After the credits end, an opening ceremony for the school year is shown, and we get more of a feel for our main character. And after that my favorite scene so far happens. We get a more in depth at the class via a introductions. The class goes around and introduces themselves to one another in the way we all had to at that time in our lives. They stand up, say their name, their former school, and something about themselves. It’s all going normal, till our main character stands up and, stumbling over his words, begins to introduce himself. Halfway through however he is interrupted by another boy asking about a rumor. We then see two arms holding a book aloft, followed by those arms coming down and hitting the other boy on the head. Saorin (The girl holding the book) then says “Rumormonger” and walks out of the room.

I don’t want to spoil too much more of the show, since despite my original apprehension, this appears like it could be a good series. The characters are stereotypes, but they are blended well, and there is just enough crazy to keep it original. And there’s a pretty fun plot twist that happens about halfway through the episode.

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I am a big fan of this series and the big step forward this series is in tackling series social issues which plague the world and Japan in particular.

Storyline: I have read the manga up to its most current chapter, and the anime downplays the transgenderism of the manga in a serious way. For example, there is no sense of "growing out" of the gender dysphoria for Nitori Shuichi in the manga. Puberty only becomes a larger problem as Nitori discovers that he can no longer pass as a female. In my opinion, this choice to downplay trangendrism in the anime probably has to do with the strict gender roles in Japan and the satisfaction for the audience that would arise if the 'problem' just goes away.

While I have misgivings about how the anime subverts the main conflict in the end, I must commend the anime makers for some very exceptional scenes. For instance, the bridge scene from the first episode is one of the most beautiful and heart-rendering moments of all anime in my opinion.

Music: I did not enjoy the opening song, but the ending song by Rie Fu is deserving of much praise. The background music during the bridge scene of the first episode greatly underscores some the masterpieces of sensitivity in this anime.

Characters: This is an exceptional character-driven anime. While there are flaws in the storyline, the characters are a breath of fresh air because of their complexity and emotionality. Critics have oft pointed out the almost superhuman maturity most of these middle schoolers have, but I think of that as one of many necessary idealizations in this series which asks the audience to go deeper within themselves and arrive at a higher sensitivity.

Animation: My only misgiving about the animation is that I prefer how the manga does the character's hair. In the manga, one can see individual strains of hair on Takatsuki Yooshino's head, and Shimura Takako, the mangaka, often uses her characters hair in order to express emotions.

I suggest that anyone who likes the anime to read the manga, for which the first volume will be coming to the U.S. in June (2011).

Storyline
The decision of where to start this series is part of what hurts some of its grade. For anyone who isn't clear, this begins several volumes into the original manga series and quite some time after all the characters have met. But if you quit this series after the first episode because you were confused about who was who, please give it a second look. You'll learn who everyone is and how they are connected very quickly through flashbacks.

I had not read far enough in the manga to reach the point that the series begins with, so I can't tell you how faithful it is to the source material. As its own work, it's an excellent drama whose main story arc is not one of plot but of character growth (see below). It should also be noted, however, that the broadcast version condensed two episodes into one to create episode "10+11." This gives the finale a somewhat disjointed feeling, since some plot points don't get as much development as they truly need. Hopefully CR will get the rights to release the DVD version of the full two episodes, and if so, bump this grade up half a star.

Music
The soundtrack music was nice and added mood to scenes, but was otherwise unremarkable. I strongly dislike the opening theme, but the ending theme quickly grew on me.

Characters
Faced with adapting an ongoing manga, it seems as if the creators of the anime decided to choose two points in it not for their plot but for their character progression. We begin with the main characters at odds with each other, fighting or avoiding one another, and we end with the circle of friends reuniting and learning to be more accepting of each other.

The series deal with (obviously) transgender issues, but if you're expecting politics or theory or detailed discussion of how people construct gender identity, look elsewhere. "Wandering Son" is more interested in addressing the issue by having a range characters who relate to their gender and their sexuality (not the same thing) in different ways. Given its very open ending, it also presents one with a feeling that identity is something of a work in progress, especially when a person is only 13/14. What matters more are the networks of support and friendship and acceptance than you build up to help you work through the process of figuring out who you want to be. Maybe this is why it settles the theme of theater, with the assumption of roles and playing out of parts.

Animation
Okay, I don't like the saran-wrap affect of the coloring in this series, which is why I knocked half a star off. That said, it only is really bad in a few of the episodes, and if you consider animation in terms of smooth motion, consistency of character design, and lack of obvious shortcuts, it is essentially perfect. This is a very high-budget show and it's a shame that the buzz for it in Japan has not been stronger than it is.

I'm not sure whether I would ever buy this anime, but it has definitely convinced me to buy the manga, which will be coming out in America in June 2011.