Yoko is a high school student in modern-day japan, but she has been having strange dreams lately... She is a normal girl who tries to be good in everyone's eyes. Our story starts on a normal day when she goes to school with her friend Asano-kun, he attempts to introduce her to Yuka, but Yoko shuns her. Later that day she is chosen to remain class representative and someone wants to switch seats because she is sitting next to Yuka, so to resolve it Yoko sits next to her. Later she finds that Yuka and Asano are together. The next day in class a man appears calling himself Keiki, he then tells her that she is the "one" and that she is in great danger. Then he offers her his soul to protect her, she accepts reluctantly and then they are attacked by Koucho. Keiki leads her to the rooftop where they meet Asano and Yuka. Keiki gives her a sword and a Hinman (which is a sort of auto-pilot that kicks in and kicks the ass of whatever is attacking Yoko) and they defeat Kochou. Then Kei!ki takes Yoko, Asano and Yuka through the Shoku to the world of Junni Kokki, unfortunately in transit they are separated and Keiki is subdued and captured.by another Kirin. Yoko is taken prisoner by the people of the world and finds Yuka also imprisoned. It seems however that Yoko's face has changed and she can understand the language but Yuka cannot...to make matters stranger Yoko cannot tell the difference between the two languages. They are too be taken to the authorities in Kou (the country they ended up in) on the way they encounter Asano and he is captured as well. They then escape in an attack by Youma and roam the world fugitives....The Story of Juuni Kokki is epic and scale and the mythical world is amazingly portrayed and complicated. It is deep engrossing and rivetingly unfolding and one of the more unique stories in a long time.

The character design is excellent in this series. Not awesome as in stylish but every character is complex and multilayered, well....discounting Asano-kun maybe...All the characters are rather plain in design at first but grow and change as befits their new enviroment, much in the way Makoto did in El Hazard. I would say the characters (Yoko certainly, and Yuka), are not cookie-cutter and stereotypical anime characters,although Yoko does kinda start out as a Shinji-esque character she grows and changes.

Character List: (in order of appearance)

Nakajima Yoko: Main character, Japanese student brought into the world of the 12 countries by Keiki.

Asano: Friend of Yoko and Yuka's boyfriend, brought to the world of Juuni Kokki by Keiki because Yoko wouldn't go without Asano and Yuka.

Sugimoto Yuka: Asano's girlfriend, is obssessed with fantasy novels and is a social outcast, seems to resent Yoko because she's a "good girl".

Keiki: The Kirin who pledges his life to Yoko and leads her, Yuka and Asano to the world of 12 countries. Was imprisoned by the false ruler of one country.

Kourin: The emperor of Kou's Kirin, gives Yuka a Hinman. She is mysteriously ill.....

Emperor of Kou: Evil corrupted emperor of Kou, wants to kill Yoko....but why?

Rakushun: Half-monster, companion of Yoko.

The opening theme (Juunigenmukyoku) is an orchestral masterpiece of epic porportions, and I have to say the BGM fails it terribly...it is not near as beautiful, but still quality music to be commended.

The animation is what makes Juuni Kokki truly stand out however, it is not the cookie-cutter, stereotypical style but a very realistic style. With beautiful use of shading to reflect moods, and vibrant colors. It is also very fluid animation in a very artistic style. I hope that more anime use this style as I think it befits the more serious anime.

I didn't like it very much when I started. The premise was nothing new, and the relationships between the characters seemed bitter and hateful - not a very appealing characteristic. But as I continued watching (sheer boredom) I realized that the characters were getting less annoying, some of them quite likeable, and that this anime is one of the FEW with a good ending. The last couple of episodes really made this anime stand out, and the first ones just paved the way.

This anime really get my attention, it keep me wanting to watch more and more. Even though most of it is useless side story. Get suckier and suckier toward the ending

kinda boring also

Great Series to watch, very neat adaptation from a book, while your watching it gives you the feel of reading a DAM good book. Definately a good recommend. The directing may not be the artistic kind but it definately is good, music is also kick ass. Story is unmatched! very good in all aspects.

bbbbbgbfgb