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Source: Anime News Network Encyclopedia, wikipedia.org updated 2/4/09 last updated 1/29/09
Alternative title:
Guardian of the Sacred Spirit
Seirei no Moribito (Japanese)
精霊の守り人 (Japanese)
정령의 수호자 (Korean)
Genres: adventure, fantasy
Running time: 25 minutes
Number of episodes: 26
Opening Theme:
"Shine" by L'Arc-en-Ciel
Ending Theme:
"Itoshii Hito e (愛しい人へ; To the loved one)" by Sachi Tainaka
Official website:
Moribito [Adult Swim]
NHK's Seirei no Moribito Website (Japanese)
Seirei no Moribito Website (Japanese)
Episodes
# |Episode Name |Original air date| English air date
01 "Balsa the Female Bodyguard"
"Barusa Onna Yōjinbō" (バルサ女用心棒) April 7, 2007 August 24, 2008
A female spear-wielder, Balsa, is recruited to protect the second prince of Yogo, Chagum, from his own father. The Emperor is determined to kill him, believing the prince is possessed by an evil water spirit.
02 "The Hunters and the Hunted"
"Nigerumono Oumono" (逃げるもの 追うもの) April 14, 2007 August 31, 2008
Balsa makes preparations to leave the capital with Chagum. She must leave the city without being noticed--a task made difficult by the prince being overcome with the grief of leaving his family. The Emperor dispatches four secret hunters to recover the prince and kill Balsa.
03 "Fight to the Death"
"Shitō" (死闘) April 21, 2007 September 7, 2008
Balsa discovers that she and Chagum are being followed. She has no choice but to fight against the pursuers. In the confusion she loses Chagum; she manages to rescue him, but due to her wounds, he must carry on by himself to Tanda's hut.
04 "Torogai's Letter"
"Torogai no Fumi" (トロガイの文) April 28, 2007 September 14, 2008
Following Balsa's direction, Chagum successfully reaches Tanda's house in the mountains. Tanda is able to retrieve and treat Balsa, but Balsa needs bed rest to recover her strength. She and Tanda nurture their relationship in the process.
05 "Secret Plan, the Blue Hand"
"Hisaku, Aoi Te" (秘策、青い手) May 5, 2007 September 21, 2008
Chagum's ailment is revealed by Tanda's teacher, Torogai. Balsa knows that the Emperor will never openly search for the prince. However, when Chagum's staged funeral is held in the capital, a wide-area search for her is in the works.
06 "Perish in Aogiri (Blue Mist) Mountains"
"Aogiri ni Shisu" (青霧に死す) May 12, 2007 October 5, 2008
Unable to determine Balsa's exact position, the Emperor's hunters split up. In the Aogiri Mountains they see Balsa and Chagum dragged down a cliff by a large wolf and assume that the pair have died.
07 "Chagum's Determination"
"Chagumu no Ketsui" (チャグムの決意) May 19, 2007 October 12, 2008
In order to remain hidden until next spring, Balsa buys a watermill and settles there with Chagum for the time being. To pass the time and make some money, they use the mill to grind grain for the local villagers.
08 "The Swordsmith"
"Katanagaji" (刀鍛冶) May 26, 2007 October 19, 2008
Balsa visits a great swordsmith to get a new blade for her spear. The smith agrees to forge her new blade once he is convinced that she did not kill the prince.
09 "Shuga's Thirst"
"Kawaki no Shuga" (渇きのシュガ) June 2, 2007 October 26, 2008
Shuga, a star reader and Chagum's teacher, tries to figure whether the drought sign is diminishing. He gets permission from the head star reader to translate the ancient stone scrolls that record the history of Yogo and that are rumored to contain information about the drought.
10 "Earth and Hero"
"Tsuchi to Eiyū" (土と英雄) June 9, 2007 November 1, 2008
Tōya teaches Chagum how to act more like a city dweller. After the prince sees through a rigged gambling game, he is determined to teach the men a lesson and help the people get their money back.
11 "Flower Wine for Tanda"
"Hanazake o Tanda ni" (花酒をタンダに) June 16, 2007
Unhappy with her arranged marriage, Saya's soul leaves her body. Tanda performs a soul call to guide her back. However, his soul becomes trapped and needs Balsa's help to return to his own body.
12 "Summer Solstice Festival"
"Geshimatsuri" (夏至祭) June 23, 2007
Chagum challenges a boy to a rucha 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.
13 "Neither Human Nor Tiger"
"Hito de naku, Tora de naku" (人でなく虎でなく) June 30, 2007
Balsa gets challenged to a duel by a former rival. The rival targets a traveling couple in order to draw out her anger. She attempts to protect the couple but ends up engaging in a fierce duel that allows her anger to overwhelm her. She wins the fight but thinks that she killed him, breaking her vow to never take a life.
14 "Knot"
"Musubime" (結び目) July 7, 2007
Torogai makes contact with the water beings of Nayug and discusses Chagum's current condition. Torogai discovers that the official Yogo founding history is false, and recounts her escape from the knot.
15 "Premature Death"
"Yōsetsu" (夭折) July 14, 2007
While gathering more information on the drought sign, Shuga finds proof that Chagum is alive. Shuga wishes to tell the prince's older brother, Crown Prince Sagum, whose health has been weakened by the recent events. However, he does not, fearing the Emperor will discover Chagum's location.
16 "Just Pursuing Doggedly"
"Tada Hitasura ni" (ただひたすらに) July 21, 2007
Chagum's brother Sagum dies from overwork and grief, leaving Chagum as the heir to the throne. Shuga learns from the ancient scroll that the water spirit is not evil, and must be born in order to prevent the drought. Armed with this knowledge, he leads the search for Chagum to bring him back so that he can become the crown prince.
17 "Water Mill in Flames"
"Suisha Moyu" (水車燃ゆ) July 28, 2007
Shuga locates Chagum and Balsa in the city. The watermill is found by the emperor's hunters and they lay a trap. Tōya sets fire to the watermill to warn Balsa. Seeing the fire, Balsa and Chagum set off to the Inishie Village.
18 "The Ancient Village"
"Inishie no Mura" (いにしえの村) August 4, 2007
Balsa, Chagum and Tanda travel to the Inishie village in the hope of learning the ancient story of the water spirit. They locate the village and listen to the ancient story. Chagum is horrified to learn that the spirit's "guardian" must die for the spirit to be born.
19 "Chagum's Escape"
"Chagumu Tōbō" (チャグム逃亡) August 11, 2007
Chagum runs away in an attempt to return to the Yogo court and to avoid being killed by the La Lunga (egg-eater). Determined to keep Chagum safe and bring him to Hunter's cave, Balsa goes after him. Seeing his distress, she vows to keep him alive even if she must sacrifice her life.
20 "Hunters' Cave"
"Kariana" (狩り穴) August 18, 2007
Shuga and the hunters arrive in Inishie Village. Torogai tells Shuga of the egg eater. Shuga agrees to return to court and to decipher the remainder of the secret tome. Balsa, Chagum, Torogai and Tanda move to Hunter's cave, where they prepare for winter.
21 "Jiguro Musa"
"Jiguro Musa" (ジグロ・ムサ) August 25, 2007
Winter arrives and the mountains become impassable. Balsa tells Chagum the story of her guardian, Jiguro, and how 24 years ago he decided to go against his Emperor in order to save Balsa's life.
22 "Season of Awakening"
"Mezame no Toki" (目覚めの季) September 1, 2007
Balsa continues Jiguro's story and reveals the reason behind her oath to save eight souls. Balsa begins to train Chagum as they await the spring.
23 "Chasing after Sig Salua"
"Shigu Sarua o Otte" (シグ・サルアを追って) September 8, 2007
Spring has arrived and Chagum has grown both physically and mentally. Chagum and Balsa are reunited with Shuga and the eight hunters. The power of the sacred Spirit begins to influence Chagum's actions, and La Lunga finally appears to claim the egg.
24 "Last Hope"
"Saigo no Kibō" (最後の希望) September 15, 2007
Balsa, Tanda, and the hunters chase after Chagum. Shuga and Torogai learn that the spirit will be born in another location and race to get there before dawn. When Balsa's group encounters two La Lunga, Tanda learns how to harm the creatures, allowing the group to kill one of the egg eaters.
25 "Celebration"
"Utage" (宴) September 22, 2007
Balsa's group locate Chagum. The physical world and Nayug begin to merge. Balsa and the hunters manage to hold off endless waves of La Lunga long enough for the sun to rise. Tanda successfully extracts the egg and Chagum's life is saved.
26 "Departure"
"Tabidachi" (旅立ち) September 29, 2007
Chagum returns to the palace and is named Crown Prince and Divine Hero of the People. While Chagum is reunited with his mother, Balsa contemplates the future. Chagum meets with her and wants them to run away, but Balsa's words give him the courage to stay. Her pledge finally fulfilled, Balsa departs for Kanbal.
Alternative title:
Guardian of the Sacred Spirit
Seirei no Moribito (Japanese)
精霊の守り人 (Japanese)
정령의 수호자 (Korean)
Genres: adventure, fantasy
Running time: 25 minutes
Number of episodes: 26
Opening Theme:
"Shine" by L'Arc-en-Ciel
Ending Theme:
"Itoshii Hito e (愛しい人へ; To the loved one)" by Sachi Tainaka
Official website:
Moribito [Adult Swim]
NHK's Seirei no Moribito Website (Japanese)
Seirei no Moribito Website (Japanese)
Episodes
# |Episode Name |Original air date| English air date
01 "Balsa the Female Bodyguard"
"Barusa Onna Yōjinbō" (バルサ女用心棒) April 7, 2007 August 24, 2008
A female spear-wielder, Balsa, is recruited to protect the second prince of Yogo, Chagum, from his own father. The Emperor is determined to kill him, believing the prince is possessed by an evil water spirit.
02 "The Hunters and the Hunted"
"Nigerumono Oumono" (逃げるもの 追うもの) April 14, 2007 August 31, 2008
Balsa makes preparations to leave the capital with Chagum. She must leave the city without being noticed--a task made difficult by the prince being overcome with the grief of leaving his family. The Emperor dispatches four secret hunters to recover the prince and kill Balsa.
03 "Fight to the Death"
"Shitō" (死闘) April 21, 2007 September 7, 2008
Balsa discovers that she and Chagum are being followed. She has no choice but to fight against the pursuers. In the confusion she loses Chagum; she manages to rescue him, but due to her wounds, he must carry on by himself to Tanda's hut.
04 "Torogai's Letter"
"Torogai no Fumi" (トロガイの文) April 28, 2007 September 14, 2008
Following Balsa's direction, Chagum successfully reaches Tanda's house in the mountains. Tanda is able to retrieve and treat Balsa, but Balsa needs bed rest to recover her strength. She and Tanda nurture their relationship in the process.
05 "Secret Plan, the Blue Hand"
"Hisaku, Aoi Te" (秘策、青い手) May 5, 2007 September 21, 2008
Chagum's ailment is revealed by Tanda's teacher, Torogai. Balsa knows that the Emperor will never openly search for the prince. However, when Chagum's staged funeral is held in the capital, a wide-area search for her is in the works.
06 "Perish in Aogiri (Blue Mist) Mountains"
"Aogiri ni Shisu" (青霧に死す) May 12, 2007 October 5, 2008
Unable to determine Balsa's exact position, the Emperor's hunters split up. In the Aogiri Mountains they see Balsa and Chagum dragged down a cliff by a large wolf and assume that the pair have died.
07 "Chagum's Determination"
"Chagumu no Ketsui" (チャグムの決意) May 19, 2007 October 12, 2008
In order to remain hidden until next spring, Balsa buys a watermill and settles there with Chagum for the time being. To pass the time and make some money, they use the mill to grind grain for the local villagers.
08 "The Swordsmith"
"Katanagaji" (刀鍛冶) May 26, 2007 October 19, 2008
Balsa visits a great swordsmith to get a new blade for her spear. The smith agrees to forge her new blade once he is convinced that she did not kill the prince.
09 "Shuga's Thirst"
"Kawaki no Shuga" (渇きのシュガ) June 2, 2007 October 26, 2008
Shuga, a star reader and Chagum's teacher, tries to figure whether the drought sign is diminishing. He gets permission from the head star reader to translate the ancient stone scrolls that record the history of Yogo and that are rumored to contain information about the drought.
10 "Earth and Hero"
"Tsuchi to Eiyū" (土と英雄) June 9, 2007 November 1, 2008
Tōya teaches Chagum how to act more like a city dweller. After the prince sees through a rigged gambling game, he is determined to teach the men a lesson and help the people get their money back.
11 "Flower Wine for Tanda"
"Hanazake o Tanda ni" (花酒をタンダに) June 16, 2007
Unhappy with her arranged marriage, Saya's soul leaves her body. Tanda performs a soul call to guide her back. However, his soul becomes trapped and needs Balsa's help to return to his own body.
12 "Summer Solstice Festival"
"Geshimatsuri" (夏至祭) June 23, 2007
Chagum challenges a boy to a rucha 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.
13 "Neither Human Nor Tiger"
"Hito de naku, Tora de naku" (人でなく虎でなく) June 30, 2007
Balsa gets challenged to a duel by a former rival. The rival targets a traveling couple in order to draw out her anger. She attempts to protect the couple but ends up engaging in a fierce duel that allows her anger to overwhelm her. She wins the fight but thinks that she killed him, breaking her vow to never take a life.
14 "Knot"
"Musubime" (結び目) July 7, 2007
Torogai makes contact with the water beings of Nayug and discusses Chagum's current condition. Torogai discovers that the official Yogo founding history is false, and recounts her escape from the knot.
15 "Premature Death"
"Yōsetsu" (夭折) July 14, 2007
While gathering more information on the drought sign, Shuga finds proof that Chagum is alive. Shuga wishes to tell the prince's older brother, Crown Prince Sagum, whose health has been weakened by the recent events. However, he does not, fearing the Emperor will discover Chagum's location.
16 "Just Pursuing Doggedly"
"Tada Hitasura ni" (ただひたすらに) July 21, 2007
Chagum's brother Sagum dies from overwork and grief, leaving Chagum as the heir to the throne. Shuga learns from the ancient scroll that the water spirit is not evil, and must be born in order to prevent the drought. Armed with this knowledge, he leads the search for Chagum to bring him back so that he can become the crown prince.
17 "Water Mill in Flames"
"Suisha Moyu" (水車燃ゆ) July 28, 2007
Shuga locates Chagum and Balsa in the city. The watermill is found by the emperor's hunters and they lay a trap. Tōya sets fire to the watermill to warn Balsa. Seeing the fire, Balsa and Chagum set off to the Inishie Village.
18 "The Ancient Village"
"Inishie no Mura" (いにしえの村) August 4, 2007
Balsa, Chagum and Tanda travel to the Inishie village in the hope of learning the ancient story of the water spirit. They locate the village and listen to the ancient story. Chagum is horrified to learn that the spirit's "guardian" must die for the spirit to be born.
19 "Chagum's Escape"
"Chagumu Tōbō" (チャグム逃亡) August 11, 2007
Chagum runs away in an attempt to return to the Yogo court and to avoid being killed by the La Lunga (egg-eater). Determined to keep Chagum safe and bring him to Hunter's cave, Balsa goes after him. Seeing his distress, she vows to keep him alive even if she must sacrifice her life.
20 "Hunters' Cave"
"Kariana" (狩り穴) August 18, 2007
Shuga and the hunters arrive in Inishie Village. Torogai tells Shuga of the egg eater. Shuga agrees to return to court and to decipher the remainder of the secret tome. Balsa, Chagum, Torogai and Tanda move to Hunter's cave, where they prepare for winter.
21 "Jiguro Musa"
"Jiguro Musa" (ジグロ・ムサ) August 25, 2007
Winter arrives and the mountains become impassable. Balsa tells Chagum the story of her guardian, Jiguro, and how 24 years ago he decided to go against his Emperor in order to save Balsa's life.
22 "Season of Awakening"
"Mezame no Toki" (目覚めの季) September 1, 2007
Balsa continues Jiguro's story and reveals the reason behind her oath to save eight souls. Balsa begins to train Chagum as they await the spring.
23 "Chasing after Sig Salua"
"Shigu Sarua o Otte" (シグ・サルアを追って) September 8, 2007
Spring has arrived and Chagum has grown both physically and mentally. Chagum and Balsa are reunited with Shuga and the eight hunters. The power of the sacred Spirit begins to influence Chagum's actions, and La Lunga finally appears to claim the egg.
24 "Last Hope"
"Saigo no Kibō" (最後の希望) September 15, 2007
Balsa, Tanda, and the hunters chase after Chagum. Shuga and Torogai learn that the spirit will be born in another location and race to get there before dawn. When Balsa's group encounters two La Lunga, Tanda learns how to harm the creatures, allowing the group to kill one of the egg eaters.
25 "Celebration"
"Utage" (宴) September 22, 2007
Balsa's group locate Chagum. The physical world and Nayug begin to merge. Balsa and the hunters manage to hold off endless waves of La Lunga long enough for the sun to rise. Tanda successfully extracts the egg and Chagum's life is saved.
26 "Departure"
"Tabidachi" (旅立ち) September 29, 2007
Chagum returns to the palace and is named Crown Prince and Divine Hero of the People. While Chagum is reunited with his mother, Balsa contemplates the future. Chagum meets with her and wants them to run away, but Balsa's words give him the courage to stay. Her pledge finally fulfilled, Balsa departs for Kanbal.
Last edited by ryuzaki11 on Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
I've always liked "Ready Steady Go" as the FMA OP & "Shine" from Moribito is such a beautiful song. If you get the DVD's or go to YouTube, you'll see & hear the OP in all its glory!