Utawarerumono: Mask of a Stranger

Reviewed By: Carla Land

ADV Films DVD

Review based on volume 1 (episodes 1-5)

Rating TV PG

What it’s (basically) all about: A man with severe injuries, no memory and a mask permanently attached to his face is found and nursed back to health by a village of people with long ears and tails. As he struggles to regain his memory and learn the truth behind his mask, he comes to care for the family he is living with. When danger threatens the village, it is up to the stranger, named by the village healer after her son, Hakuoro, to save them. Be it against angry goddesses or corrupt royalty, Hakuoro leads the villagers toward an uncertain future while struggling with his own inner doubt.

Nitty Gritty: This show takes place in a medieval setting, with samurai, animal drawn carts, and feudal lords. The plot moves slowly at first, but the characters are endearing and the villains are easily identifiable. There are a few plot twists her and there, and a couple characters with hidden motives, which keeps things interesting.

There are no inappropriate sexual situations or nudity. Language isn’t too strong- lots of “damns” and “hells”, a few “bastards”, a couple “son of a bitches.” 

The show does have some violent scenes- a tiger-goddess attacks the village and devours a family off screen and there are several battles between soldiers and villagers- but other than a little blood there is nothing gory or ultra violent. It’s about what you’d see on prime time TV.

Special features include Omake theater (a short skit using the characters from the show that involves rotten food and a fight over the bathroom), a glossary of terms, extended episode previews, and DVD credits. Previews are for Moeyo Ken TV, Guyver, Yumeria, E’s Otherwise, Get Backers, and Nerima Daikon Brothers (which has some strong innuendo.) The disk opens with Anime Network and Newtype USA promos.

Survey says: This is fine for teen/ YA collections.

Personal Ad: I started watching this on the Anime Network and I think it’s a really good show. It’s a different story, and it’s nice to see characters that have complex human emotions.