Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, Cartoon Network, Saturday night 1:30am (Sun. morn)
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This is based on the first in a series of fantasy novels. Not sure in what era it's supposed to be set... or if it's any realistic era at all. I suppose there'll be some similarities to Japanese history, but it is fantasy, after all. Of course, plenty of anime fantasy series are set in specific historical eras. Whatever, I suppose it's not important. In any event, the main character is a woman named Balsa (who we like), a spear-wielding warrior from a place called Kanbal. In the first episode, she shows up in a place called Yogo (or the New Yogo Empire), which she hasn't been to in two years. She saves the life of a prince named Chagum, and is later invited by the Second Queen to the palace, to thank her.

But the Queen wants more than to express her thanks. She wants Balsa, who is a renowned bodyguard, to take Chagum with her and protect him, as he has already survived a few murder attempts by his own father, the Mikado (emperor). Balsa doesn't seem pleased by the position she's been put in, but she accepts. She says she once took the lives of eight people she considered very dear, and to appease their souls, she has vowed to save the lives of eight people she considers their equal. Chagum will be the eighth. Chagum himself isn't happy about the arrangement, at first, but he soon comes to appreciate her.

There are also a couple of orphans who are friends of Balsa's, a boy named Toya and a girl named Saya. They help out sometimes. And when assassins are sent after Balsa and Chagum, and Balsa is seriously injured, we meet her childhood friend Tanda, an herbalist who often treats her battle wounds. Meanwhile, there's plenty of more complicated stuff going on. There's like a secret society or something, which I guess is made up of star diviners, who work for the Mikado. They're aware that a drought is coming. And that Chagum has been possessed by a spirit or something. And then there's Tanda's teacher, Torogai, an old woman who practices a kind of natural magic that the star diviners look down upon. She's also aware of the impending drought, and whatever's going on with Chagum. And then there's Chagum's older brother, Sagum. Dunno what to say about him yet.

Um, not sure what else to say right now. There are various characters I look forward to learning more about. And I also look forward to learning more about everything that's going on, it looks like it's going to just get more and more interesting, even though the series started out seeming fairly simple (in a good way). Even if it's not set in any era of the real world, it has a very classical feel to it, which I like. And I find I'm quite liking the animation, it's really beautiful, as is the background music. Also, I think Balsa is an interesting character... strong, independent, intelligent, with little regard for distinction between social classes, but a strong sense of duty and loyalty to her friends. Well, I hope to say more about the show soon....