The Mystic Archives of Dantalian
Have you ever received a special gift from your grandparents? I don't mean an inheritance, but something they wouldn't trust to anyone else. They may have given you their treasure trove to help you achieve your dreams or for grand adventures. Either way, their heartfelt feelings carry such enormous weight and importance that you may just start viewing the whole world differently….
“The Mystic Archives of Dantalian,” also known as “Dantalian no Shoka,” “Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian,” or “Dantalian's Bookshelf,” is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 16th of July until the 1st of October in Summer 2011. It was produced by TV Tokyo, Kadokawa Shoten, Half H.P Studio, Nippon Columbia, Kadokawa Pictures Japan, KlockWorx, NTT Docomo, and Dwango; licensed by Funimation; and brought to life by Studio Gainax. The main staff behind it includes producers Takeda Yasuhiro, Beniya Yoshikazu, Shiraishi Naoko, and Takahashi Yuuichi. Featuring genres such as action, mystery, and supernatural, alongside themes of detective and historical, each episode has a runtime of 24 minutes and earned an overall rating of R (17+) for its violence and profanity, making it best suited for adult audiences.
The series is based on the light novel of the same title, which spanned a total of 8 volumes, published from February 29, 2008, to February 28, 2011. It featured the additional genres of fantasy and horror and is the work of author Mikumo Gakuto and artist G-Yuusuke, getting serialized in The Sneaker. A manga series of the same title was also released in 5 volumes from 2010 to 2012, targeting the shounen demographic and serialized in Shounen Ace. Abeno Chaco handled this artwork for this piece. A side story titled “Dantalian no Shoka: Ibarahime” or “The Mystic Archives of Dantalian: Ibarahime” was released as a single OVA on the 9th of August 2012. Helmed by the same team, it ran for 24 minutes and received a PG-13 rating, getting bundled with the release of the limited-edition 5th volume of the manga.
The story is centered around Lord Hugh Anthony Disward, also simply known as “Huey,” whose eccentric grandfather passed away six months before the start of the series. His grandfather, Sir Wesley Disward, was a renowned rare book collector and had his fair share of secrets. After his passing, the will stipulated that Huey could only inherit the manor and everything inside it if he assumed the guardianship of the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian, an archive containing forbidden knowledge, and took care of a mysterious girl named Dalian. Agreeing to the seemingly simple conditions, our protagonist begins to settle into the manor and his new life when an old rival of Wesley arranges to meet with him. However, Dalian knew this man to be Wesley's killer and chose to tag along, only to discover that the murderer possessed a Phantom Book, which is essentially a cursed tome that Wesley had attempted to seal away.
Now put in a perilous situation, Huey learns a simple truth: the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian and Dalian are the same, and he is now entrusted with the key to unlocking the knowledge stored within her. Together, they manage to seal the book away. Still, their victory is simply the beginning of an unlikely and long-lasting partnership that involves solving the mysteries caused by other Phantom Books and more.
The promotional material sets this anime in a dark and historic atmosphere, exuding a peculiar sense of eerie beauty. Even if the setting is initially a turn-off for you, the story execution is simply superb to the point that it won’t let you drop it easily, because we are progressively drawn into wanting to know more about this mysterious world and the Phantom Books. That said, you can easily find yourself lost and confused after the first 2-3 episodes because the narrative keeps spinning us around what these supernatural books are.
On the one hand, these books can be destructive tools when misused or possessed by individuals who lack control over them. Huey shows that they can be practical tools in the right hands. Either way, Dalian is the custodian of the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian. After he becomes Dalian's Keykeeper, all evidence suggests that the place is no ordinary library, as there are even books that should not exist there. From here on out, the series becomes episodic while weaving together a very complex mystery, which honestly kept me intrigued all the way through. The issue is that the episodes sometimes feel rushed and disconnected, as if there is no continuity between consecutive episodes, despite the presence of an overarching theme. I think a linear storyline would’ve worked better here. However, each episode remained unique and captivating, and the ending was exceptionally well-crafted, as it effectively addressed most of the questions that had arisen along the way.
Huey, a well-rounded and intriguing character with an excellent backstory, was undoubtedly my favorite character. Very fitting of his status, the man is quite knowledgeable when it comes to books and firearms, which come in handy, and he is complemented by piloting experience as well. The show also takes time to develop this kind soul, and his growth is very believable, backed with ample explanation. Meanwhile, Dalian starts off being very enigmatic, and we learn more about her as the episodes progress, revealing her smart, brave, and bossy sides. While she is overall reserved in nature, I firmly believe the girl had a pampered upbringing, as evidenced by her tendency to boss Huey around. Although she doesn't receive much personal development, I enjoyed the mystique surrounding her, and the dynamic between the duo is adorable! Though comedic at times, it is evident that they both care about each other, and their reactions to the unorthodox occurrences surrounding them felt real to me. The remaining cast didn’t stand out to me, but at least they aren’t a con.
The art and animation department is truly praiseworthy because it has this mystical yet realistic charm that I couldn’t get enough of. The art style perfectly suits the themes of the show, which is also well reflected in the somber color usage. The backgrounds were simply breathtaking for me, ever so neat and realistic, with details in every inch of space. All the items and equipment perfectly reflect the period in which the story is set, right down to the car designs. The character designs perfectly blend in with the setting and stunning backdrops, ensuring that nothing stands out. Kudos to their dominant gothic style, which is rarely handled with such precision and care. Finally, the animation is also quite fluid where it counts, but it's nothing special.
The Sounds and Music department does not lag in any way. The opening theme is "Cras numquam scire" by Yucca feat. Daisuke Ono and I loved this Latin piece, which is, in fact, rare in anime. It follows a dark and mysterious theme, and this mellow and somber piece perfectly portrays it. The ending theme is "yes, prisoner" by maRIONnetTe, and, like the name, it is weird and creepy, while the visuals only expand on that aspect for little reason. The OSTs are highly fitting for the setting, and these pieces did a fantastic job of bringing out the vibe. The voice actors do a superb job, especially in the case of Huey and Dalian, who embodied their characters without a single hiccup.
Overall, “The Mystic Archives of Dantalian” was a surprisingly enjoyable watch. I particularly loved the first episode, which seamlessly throws you into this mysterious world, and the narrative ensures you stay hooked until the end. While you may not expect it, the comedic elements between the leading duo consistently hit their mark, and it even fuels their character development. Be warned that not all your questions will be answered by the end, though, but I think they did well with just 12 episodes at their disposal.
I am eager for a sequel to dispel my remaining doubts, but I doubt it will materialize due to this show's underappreciation. It is no hidden masterpiece, but it is a unique and intriguing watch that dares to be different and excels in that regard. As such, I recommend this show to anyone willing to pay close attention and appreciate all the nuances, because that is where the beauty lies.
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