Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Watch Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

  • TV-PG
  • 2007
  • 1 Season
  • 8.2  (2,923)

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit is an anime television series produced by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama. The show first aired in Japan on April 7, 2007, on TV Tokyo, and was later broadcast by several other television networks, including BS11, AT-X, TV Osaka, and TV Setouchi. It is based on the award-winning novel series Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi and serves as a faithful adaptation of the first book titled "The Guardian of the Spirit."

The show and its plot revolve around the character Balsa Yonsa (voiced by Mabuki Ando), a skilled female warrior and bodyguard living in the kingdom of New Yogo. The kingdom is ruled by Emperor Chagum (voiced by Ryo Hirohashi), a young prince who becomes the target of assassination attempts due to the burden placed on him by his divine inheritance. Balsa is hired by the Emperor's mother, the Empress (voiced by Emi Shinohara), to protect her son and escape from the palace, as she believes that her son's life is in danger due to the curse of the Water Spirit.

The Water Spirit is a divine entity that manifests every hundred years and is said to devour the chosen prince of the kingdom unless the spirit is appeased by the prince's sacrifice. Chagum's father, the Emperor Mikado (voiced by Takko Ishimori), believes that his son will be the next sacrifice and orders his assassination to protect the kingdom from the Water Spirit's wrath. However, the Empress believes that there must be a way to save her son and turns to Balsa, who has a reputation as an excellent bodyguard, to help her.

Balsa, who has a troubled past and seeks redemption, agrees to protect the Emperor and takes him away from the palace, facing multiple challenges and conflicts along the way. Her journey to keep the young Emperor safe from assassins is fraught with danger and treachery, as she must maneuver through a thick political environment, encounter skilled warriors, and deal with the curse of the Water Spirit. Her journey leads her across the kingdom and eventually, to the source of the Water Spirit.

Throughout the show, the audience is also introduced to other key characters, including Torogai (voiced by Emi Shinohara), a mysterious old woman who provides Balsa with valuable insights and knowledge about the kingdom and its people, Tanda (voiced by Takayuki Sasada), a childhood friend of Balsa who joins her on her journey, and Shuga (voiced by Kohei Fukuhara), who is a scholar who helps Balsa learn more about the Water Spirit and its unpredictable ways.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit is a slow-paced and intense action-adventure anime television series that explores the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and courage. While the show is primarily targeted towards teenage audiences, it appeals to adults as well due to its mature and complex narrative, layered and nuanced character development, and detailed world-building. The show's animation quality and cinematic beauty are also commendable, with vibrant colors, clean lines, and intricate details capturing the attention of any viewer.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit was positively received by audiences and critics alike, earning praise for its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, stunning visuals, and animation quality. The show was a commercial success in Japan and internationally, inspiring a sequel series and spin-off novels. It is considered by many as one of the best examples of anime television series of recent times, and a must-watch for lovers of action, adventure, fantasy, and drama.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
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Seasons
Guardian of the Spirit: Beginning a Journey
26. Guardian of the Spirit: Beginning a Journey
September 29, 2007
Chagum takes up his throne as the Crown Prince of the New Yogo Empire, and Balsa must say good-bye to him forever.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Time of Celebration
25. Guardian of the Spirit: The Time of Celebration
September 22, 2007
An army of La-Lunga surround Chagum as the Hunters and Balsa fight with the last of their strength to protect him.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Last Hope
24. Guardian of the Spirit: The Last Hope
September 15, 2007
Chagum has vanished, leaving Shuga, Balsa and the Hunters to find him before the La-Lunga appears to tear him apart.
Guardian of the Spirit: Searching for the Spring Equinox
23. Guardian of the Spirit: Searching for the Spring Equinox
September 8, 2007
Spring has come, and Balsa and Chagum set out to confront the powerful La-Lunga and hatch the Egg of the Water Spirit.
Guardian of the Spirit: Season of Awakening
22. Guardian of the Spirit: Season of Awakening
September 1, 2007
The cold winter rages on as Chagum prepares for his ultimate fate. Balsa even begins teaching him to fight.
Guardian of the Spirit: Jiguro Musa
21. Guardian of the Spirit: Jiguro Musa
August 25, 2007
Balsa reveals her past with Jiguro and the secret of the eight deaths for which she has spent her life atoning.
Guardian of the Spirit: Trap
20. Guardian of the Spirit: Trap
August 18, 2007
The Hunters and Shuga confront Madame Torogai in a battle of wills. The winner protects Chagum until the Egg hatches.
Guardian of the Spirit: Escape
19. Guardian of the Spirit: Escape
August 11, 2007
Tensions between Chagum and Balsa explode as Chagum tries to leave, even though he has to fight Balsa herself.
The Ancient Village
18. The Ancient Village
July 28, 2007
Chagum learns of his fate to die at the hands of the La-Lunga, driving a wedge between him and Balsa.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Waterwheel Burns
17. Guardian of the Spirit: The Waterwheel Burns
July 28, 2007
The Hunters execute their plan to find Balsa and Chagum. Toya is trapped at Balsa's house as the Hunters lie in wait for her.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Pursuit
16. Guardian of the Spirit: The Pursuit
July 21, 2007
Shuga finally confronts the Hunters and goes before the Mikado with all he's learned about Chagum, proving that the boy is alive.
Guardian of the Spirit: Untimely Death
15. Guardian of the Spirit: Untimely Death
July 14, 2007
Balsa and the others prepare for a journey to learn about the Egg. At the palace, a sudden death changes the course of events.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Knot
14. Guardian of the Spirit: The Knot
July 7, 2007
Torogai and Suga each embark on their own life-threatening quest to find the truth behind Chagum and the Water Spirit.
Guardian of the Spirit: Neither Human Nor Tiger
13. Guardian of the Spirit: Neither Human Nor Tiger
June 30, 2007
An old enemy returns to hunt Balsa. She must fight to protect two innocents, and put aside her oath not to kill.
Guardian of the Spirit: Summer Solstice Festival
12. Guardian of the Spirit: Summer Solstice Festival
June 23, 2007
Chagum challenges a boy to a wrestling match on the Summer Solstice festival. He asks Balsa to train him to fight. He fights the boy and wins the match. After the boy's father insults Chagum, Balsa steps in and defeats the father.
Guardian of the Spirit: Flower Wine for Tanda
11. Guardian of the Spirit: Flower Wine for Tanda
June 16, 2007
Saya falls into a coma after promising to accept an arranged marriage. To return her spirit to her body, Tanda attempts a forbidden ritual.
Guardian of the Spirit: Soil and Heroes
10. Guardian of the Spirit: Soil and Heroes
June 9, 2007
Balsa asks Toya to get Chagum more in tune with life in the city, but she gets more than she gambled for at the end of the day.
Guardian of the Spirit: Shuga Thirsts
9. Guardian of the Spirit: Shuga Thirsts
June 2, 2007
Balsa, Chagum, and Tanda settle into their new lives together, and Chagum begins to think more independently after learning how the world works.
Guardian of the Spirit: The Swordsmith
8. Guardian of the Spirit: The Swordsmith
May 26, 2007
Balsa turns to an honorable swordsmith in hopes of repairing her spear, and her tragic past is revealed during the swordsmith's search for the truth.
Guardian of the Spirit: Chagum's Resolve
7. Guardian of the Spirit: Chagum's Resolve
May 19, 2007
Balsa, Chagum, and Tanda settle into their new lives together, and Chagum begins to think more independently after learning how the world works.
Guardian of the Spirit: To Die in the Misty Blue
6. Guardian of the Spirit: To Die in the Misty Blue
May 12, 2007
The plan to escape the manhunt is executed successfully, but some wary Hunters may have seen through Balsa's strategy.
Guardian of the Spirit: Secret Plan, the Blue Hand
5. Guardian of the Spirit: Secret Plan, the Blue Hand
April 28, 2007
The unknown is brought to light with the arrival of Torogai, while Balsa must come up with a way to throw the Mikado off their trail.
Guardian of the Spirit Sub Secret Plan the Blue Hand
5. Guardian of the Spirit Sub Secret Plan the Blue Hand
May 5, 2007
Torogai reveals that Chagum is carrying the egg of the water spirit, chosen to be its guardian. Balsa knows that the Emperor will never openly search for the prince, so she comes up with a plan to throw the Emperor off her trail.
Torogai's Letter
4. Torogai's Letter
April 28, 2007
As Balsa recovers from her injuries under the care of her childhood friend Tanda, a strange letter is sent to those in the Star Palace.
Guardian of the Spirit: Fight to the Death
3. Guardian of the Spirit: Fight to the Death
April 21, 2007
Balsa, mortally wounded during a battle with the Hunters, relies on Chagum to save them both.
Guardian of the Spirit: Hunters, Hunted
2. Guardian of the Spirit: Hunters, Hunted
April 14, 2007
Hiding in the middle of the city, Balsa and Chagum are given no time to rest as the hidden servants of the Mikado pursue them.
Guardian of the Spirit: Balsa, the Female Bodyguard
1. Guardian of the Spirit: Balsa, the Female Bodyguard
April 7, 2007
A female bodyguard is hired to protect a prince with a mysterious secret, as he seeks to escape certain doom by his father's hand.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    April 7, 2007
  • IMDB Rating
    8.2  (2,923)