I'm currently in the process of trying to find out what happens at the end of the series of Moribito novels, largely because I don't want to wait until (optimistically) all 10 novels are translated or I learn to read Japanese. That's been a fascinating bit of detective work and I'm happy to share what I've found out, if anyone wants to know. But my primary reason for this post is to talk about the ending of the anime, as that's what set me off on this grail quest for spoilers.
So in short, I'm curious - what did you all think of the ending? As the series progressed, I became more and more convinced that of the three possible paths, two (Chagum's death and and Chagum and Balsa staying together) were extremely unlikely and/or inconsistent with the message of the story. So I was not surprised at all when Chagum had to leave Balsa and become Crown prince - indeed, it was handled beautifully. But that didn't stop me from being devastated by it. Do you see this as a happy ending? Sad? Something in between? For me, the notion that Chagum - who had borne so many burdens already at such a young age and carried them with grace, dignity and courage - should have to surrender his best chance at happiness for yet another burden not of his choosing. Can there be any doubt that he'd have had a happier life traveling with Balsa and Tanda than being the Crown Prince? All the more so for having had a taste of freedom and self-sufficiency.
Even more than that, what Chagum had a taste of was unconditional love. He'd always been an identity more than a boy - first the Second Prince, then the Moribito. For Balsa, he was just Chagum - the boy she protected as a job and came to love as a mother. That's why the poetry of that last moment when Chagum asks her to call him by his name is so powerful, for they both know what it represents.
So, forgetting whatever you may know of the books, where do you see the characters after the anime ends? Is Chagum going to be happy with his mother and Shuga at the palace? Will he and Balsa meet again, or is that the end of their time together - and if so, will their feelings for each other fade into distant memory? If Balsa going to continue to be a Yojimbo, or will she settle down with Tanda? I'm most curious to hear how everyone feels this ending (which very closely mirrors the ending of the first book) leaves the characters.
So in short, I'm curious - what did you all think of the ending? As the series progressed, I became more and more convinced that of the three possible paths, two (Chagum's death and and Chagum and Balsa staying together) were extremely unlikely and/or inconsistent with the message of the story. So I was not surprised at all when Chagum had to leave Balsa and become Crown prince - indeed, it was handled beautifully. But that didn't stop me from being devastated by it. Do you see this as a happy ending? Sad? Something in between? For me, the notion that Chagum - who had borne so many burdens already at such a young age and carried them with grace, dignity and courage - should have to surrender his best chance at happiness for yet another burden not of his choosing. Can there be any doubt that he'd have had a happier life traveling with Balsa and Tanda than being the Crown Prince? All the more so for having had a taste of freedom and self-sufficiency.
Even more than that, what Chagum had a taste of was unconditional love. He'd always been an identity more than a boy - first the Second Prince, then the Moribito. For Balsa, he was just Chagum - the boy she protected as a job and came to love as a mother. That's why the poetry of that last moment when Chagum asks her to call him by his name is so powerful, for they both know what it represents.
So, forgetting whatever you may know of the books, where do you see the characters after the anime ends? Is Chagum going to be happy with his mother and Shuga at the palace? Will he and Balsa meet again, or is that the end of their time together - and if so, will their feelings for each other fade into distant memory? If Balsa going to continue to be a Yojimbo, or will she settle down with Tanda? I'm most curious to hear how everyone feels this ending (which very closely mirrors the ending of the first book) leaves the characters.