Anime Review: Somali and the Forest Spirit Episode 1

Somali and the Forest Spirit

Studio: Satelight

Genre: Fantasy, Slice of Life

Streaming: Crunchyroll

A few seasons ago we had If it’s to Defend my Daughter, I’d even Defeat the Demon Lord (see review for this anime, here) and now in this season we have another fantasy series which focuses on a parent/child duo. So far, that’s where the similarities end however as Somali and the Forest Spirit has a very different tone compared to that series. The main reason for this is the role of the parent – as before an adult finds an abandoned child in the forest and ends up caring for her whilst searching for her true family. Rather than a typical human, however, Somali’s guardian is a golem – a forest spirit who helps keep order within his domain (I use gender loosely here, as the golem is voiced by a male actor,  Daisuke Ono, and looks masculine but I suspect gender is something alien to his species).

We start off with the two meeting in the forest but then abruptly fast-forward some time to the two journeying together to a city in search of humans – not the first city either from the looks of it. The pair have grown familiar with one another at this point but both still find the other somewhat a puzzle. For instance, Somali cannot come to terms with the golem’s seeming inability to feel emotion and behave logically, and the golem himself struggles with keeping an eye on a child who likes to run off spontaneously when they see something new. At its heart this is what the episode is about – the two understand each other and despite their racial differences, forging a familial connection.

The character designs are somewhat bland, but in comparison, the background scenery and music are stunningly beautiful, particularly in the forest of the golem. The forest is a detailed and imaginative vista of pastels and mystical creatures – we’re almost caught off guard when we see the plain figure of the golem walking amongst it. Design-wise he doesn’t fit the beauty of the place and indeed looks rather unnerving – a facet later emphasised further when he reveals a glowing eye hidden within the blank surface of his face. I’m unsure if the effect was on purpose but it does drive home exactly how alien he really is from Somali and even from the creatures who live within the city. Whilst they do not seem to fear him, they remark on the irregularity of a golem being away from its forest and the golem himself is clearly uncomfortable with being within civilisation.

Whilst the series looks to lean more towards a slice-of-life, it is evident there are some darker elements at play here – from the golem’s hidden eye to the yokai-like cat who lures Somali away and upon discovering the child’s human nature clearly would like to make a meal of them. Humans are spoken of briefly by the cities’ inhabitants but from what is said, it’s clear that Somali is in great danger if she were to stay amongst them. Nothing is confirmed, but it hints that humans themselves are practically extinct as a species and clearly looked on with hatred by the cities’ inhabitants. It’s a subtle way of showcasing the dangers of the world Somali must grow up into, something which at her age she is still oblivious to – the golem teaches her to hide her appearance to fool others but as yet, she does not appear to realise how vital to her survival this is. The softer moments too are used well in this episode – there’s no mention of Somali’s family but seeing the closeness between parents and their children in the city, Somali obviously wishes for the same with her new guardian.

Somali and the Forest Spirit is adapted from a web-manga and this first episode could work equally well as a stand-alone adventure. However, there’s enough worldbuilding and complexity to the characters that makes you want to explore more with them and uncover the mysteries of the world they live in. It is clear that the relationship between this unlikely father/child combi will be the sole focus of the series, but there are definite signs of a more thoughtful, complex storyline due to the unique setting.

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