View source for Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

{{Short description|Japanese novel and its franchise}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image     = Moribito Guardian of the Spirit novel cover.jpg
| caption   = Hardback cover of the novel
| ja_kanji  = 精霊の守り人
| ja_romaji = Seirei no Moribito
| genre     = [[Sword and sorcery]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Oppliger|first=John|title=Ask John: What Are the Best Sword & Sorcery Anime?|url=http://www.animenation.net/blog/2008/07/18/ask-john-what-are-the-best-sword-sorcery-anime/|website=[[AnimeNation]]|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725042316/http://www.animenation.net/blog/2008/07/18/ask-john-what-are-the-best-sword-sorcery-anime/|date=July 18, 2008|archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = novel
| author       = [[Nahoko Uehashi]]
| publisher    = {{ubl|Kaiseisha (hardcover)|[[Shinchosha]] (paperback)}}
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]]}}
| published    = July 1996
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Audio
| station         = [[NHK FM Broadcast]]
| writer          = Satoshi Maruo
| first           = August 7, 2006
| last            = August 18, 2006
| episodes        = 10
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type        = manga
| author      = [[Nahoko Uehashi]]
| illustrator = [[Kamui Fujiwara]]
| publisher   = [[Square Enix]]
| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine    = [[Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]
| first       = March 12, 2007
| last        = August 22, 2008
| volumes     = 3
| volume_list = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = tv series
| director     = [[Kenji Kamiyama]]
| producer     = 
| writer       = Kenji Kamiyama
| music        = [[Kenji Kawai]]
| studio       = [[Production I.G]]
| licensee     = {{English anime licensee
| NA = [[Sentai Filmworks]]
| UK = [[MVM Entertainment]]
}}
| network      = [[NHK-BS2]]
| network_en   = {{English anime network
| NA = [[Neon Alley]]
| US = [[Adult Swim]]
}}
| first        = April 7, 2007
| last         = September 29, 2007
| episodes     = 26
| episode_list = List of Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = drama
| director     = Hiroshi Kataoka 
| producer     = 
| writer       = Sumio Omori
| music        = 
| studio       = 
| network      = [[NHK]]
| first        = March 19, 2016
| last         = January 27, 2018<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:最終回だよ！全員集合！『精霊の守り人 最終回』ついに完結！！|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/drama-blog/4520/288967.html|website=NHK Drama|publisher=[[NHK]]|access-date=17 February 2018|language=ja|date=26 January 2018}}</ref>
| episodes     = 22
| episode_list = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

{{nihongo|'''''Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit'''''|精霊の守り人|Seirei no Moribito|lead=yes}} is a Japanese novel that was first published in July 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (Moribito, #1) by Nahoko Uehashi|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/2913457|access-date=2020-08-19|website=Goodreads|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164150/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2887211-moribito|url-status=live }}</ref> It is the first in the 12-volume {{nihongo|''[[Moribito series|Moribito]]''|守り人}} series of Japanese [[fantasy novel]]s by [[Nahoko Uehashi]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Guardian of the Spirit (Moribito)|isbn=978-0545005432|last1=Uehashi|first1=Nahoko|year=2008|publisher=Arthur A. Levine Books }}</ref> It was the recipient of the Batchelder Award An ALA Notable Children's Book in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Batchelder Award winners, 1968-Present|url=http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/batchelderaward/batchelderpast|access-date=2020-08-19|website=ala.org|publisher=[[Association for Library Service to Children]]|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407010054/http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/batchelderaward/batchelderpast|url-status=live }}</ref> It has since been adapted into numerous media, including radio, [[manga]], [[#Anime|anime]], and [[taiga drama]] adaptations. Scholastic released the first novel in English in June 2008. [[Media Blasters]] has confirmed that they acquired the rights to the anime.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-27/media-blasters-rescues-seirei-no-moribito-license|title=Media Blasters Rescues Seirei no Moribito License|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=27 March 2008|access-date=18 February 2013|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125040847/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-27/media-blasters-rescues-seirei-no-moribito-license|url-status=live }}</ref> The anime series adaptation premiered on [[Adult Swim]] in the U.S. at 1:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]] on August 24, 2008, but was dropped from the schedule without warning or explanation on January 15, 2009, after two runs of the first ten episodes. The program returned to Adult Swim during the summer 2009 line-up with an airing of the entire series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-16/adult-swim-removes-moribito-from-weekend-schedule|title=Adult Swim Removes Moribito from Weekend Schedule (Updated)|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=16 January 2009|access-date=17 January 2009|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164041/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-16/adult-swim-removes-moribito-from-weekend-schedule|url-status=live }}</ref>

==Synopsis==
{{See also|Moribito series}}
Balsa, spear wielder and bodyguard, is a wandering warrior who has vowed to atone for eight deaths in her past by saving an equivalent number of lives. On her journey, she saves Prince Chagum and is tasked with becoming his bodyguard. His own father, the Mikado, has ordered his assassination. The two begin a perilous journey to ensure the survival of the prince. Balsa's complicated past begins to come to light and they uncover Chagum's mysterious connection to a legendary water spirit with the power to destroy the kingdom.

==Media==
===Novel===
The novel was first published in [[hardback]] by Kaiseisha as [[children's literature]], but it had many adult fans. [[Shinchosha]] republished it in ''[[bunkobon]]'' format in March 2007.
; ''Seirei no Moribito'' (''Guardian of the Spirit'') ({{ISBN|978-4035401506}}, 1996-07) (Bunko {{ISBN|978-4-10-130272-0}}, 2007-03)
: Adapted into the anime series. Balsa is hired to protect a prince with a mysterious spirit living inside him.
: Published in English by Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic in the summer of 2008; translated by Cathy Hirano.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Udagawa|first=Avery|url=http://scbwi.jp/pdf/Fall%202006Newsletter.pdf|title=Children's Book Translation: An Interview with Cathy Hirano|magazine=Carp Tales|publisher=SCBWI Tokyo|date=Fall 2006|pages=7–9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808035317/http://scbwi.jp/pdf/Fall%202006Newsletter.pdf|archive-date=2007-08-08}}</ref>
The novel received the [[Mildred L. Batchelder Award]] from the [[American Library Association]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit {{!}} Awards & Grants|url=https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/content/moribito-guardian-spirit|access-date=2023-01-23|website=www.ala.org|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164040/https://www.ala.org/winner/moribito-guardian-spirit|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|date=2009-01-25|title=2009 Batchelder Award honors Arthur A. Levine Books for "Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit"|url=https://www.ala.org/news/news/pressreleases2009/january2009/ymabatchelder|access-date=2023-01-23|website=News and Press Center|language=en}}</ref>

===Radio drama===
The series has been adapted into a [[radio drama]] series, written by Satoshi Maruo. It aired in ''{{Interlanguage link|Youth Adventure|ja|青春アドベンチャー}}'' on [[NHK FM Broadcast]] from August 7, 2006, to August 18, 2006.

===Anime===
{{Main|List of Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit episodes}}
The series has been adapted into an [[anime]] [[television series]], produced by [[Production I.G]] and directed by [[Kenji Kamiyama]], which premiered in Japan on [[NHK]] from April 7, 2007. The anime runs 26 episodes and is based entirely on the first novel in the Guardian series, and greatly expands the midsection of the novel.

At the [[Tokyo International Anime Fair]] 2007 in March, [[Geneon]] announced that they had acquired the license to the anime and [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] announced they had US distribution rights to the novels.<ref name = "Tokyo Animation Fair news">
{{cite web|title=Geneon Snags "Moribito", Original novels coming too|website=animeOnline|url=http://www.animeonline.com/index.php?page=news_details&action=details&id=100970|access-date=22 March 2007}}{{dead link|date=March 2021}}</ref> After Geneon discontinued its US distribution division, the rights transferred to [[Media Blasters]]. The series premiered in the United States at 1:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]] on August 24, 2008, on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]] block, but was dropped from the schedule without warning or explanation on January 15, 2009, after two runs of the first ten episodes. On June 13, 2009, the series was back on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]] block in the United States at 1:30&nbsp;a.m. ET on Sundays, but was later moved to 2:30&nbsp;a.m. ET,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adultswim.com/schedule/onair.html|title=Schedule|publisher=Adult Swim|access-date=18 February 2013|archive-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006084336/http://www.adultswim.com/schedule/onair.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> swapping it with ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (TV series)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' in November. [[Viz Media]] re-released the entire series on DVD and Blu-ray on August 26, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Viz Media Announces License Acquisition of Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Anime Series|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2014-01-08/viz-media-announces-license-acquisition-of-moribito/guardian-of-the-spirit-anime-series|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164040/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2014-01-08/viz-media-announces-license-acquisition-of-moribito/guardian-of-the-spirit-anime-series|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bruno|first=Travis|title=Viz Media license rescues Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit|url=http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2014/01/viz-media-license-rescues-moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit/|work=Capsule Computers|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117114406/https://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2014/01/viz-media-license-rescues-moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Luster|first=Joseph|title=Viz Rescues Moribito Anime License|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/viz-rescues-moribito-anime-license/|magazine=[[Otaku USA]]|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164126/https://otakuusamagazine.com/viz-rescues-moribito-anime-license/|url-status=live }}</ref> It also aired on their digital broadcasting channel, [[Neon Alley]] January 17, 2014, until the channel's closure on May 6, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Viz Media Adds Moribito Fantasy Anime Series|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-08/viz-media-adds-moribito-fantasy-anime-series|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=8 January 2014|access-date=8 January 2014|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164207/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-08/viz-media-adds-moribito-fantasy-anime-series|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Saabedra|first=Humberto|title="Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit" Rescued By Viz Media|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/08/moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit-rescued-by-viz-media|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530112301/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/08/moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit-rescued-by-viz-media|archive-date=May 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|title=Viz Media Acquires 'Moribito – Guardian Of The Spirit' Anime License|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/08/viz-media-acquires-moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit-anime-license/|work=The Fandom Post|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref> In August 2020, [[Sentai Filmworks]] announced that they acquired the series for home video and digital release.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mateo|first1=Alex|title=Sentai Filmworks Licenses Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-25/sentai-filmworks-licenses-moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit-anime/.163296|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 25, 2020|date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164541/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-25/sentai-filmworks-licenses-moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit-anime/.163296|url-status=live }}</ref>

The series feature two theme songs. The opening title is "[[Nexus 4/Shine|Shine]]" by [[L'Arc-en-Ciel]], while [[Sachi Tainaka]] performs "[[Itoshii Hito e]]" for the ending title.

===Taiga fantasy drama===
The series has been adapted into a live-action [[Taiga drama|taiga fantasy drama]] series by [[NHK]], shot in [[4K resolution]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Rurouni Kenshin's Tatsuya Fujiwara, More Join Live-Action Moribito TV Series Cast|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-13/rurouni-kenshin-tatsuya-fujiwara-more-join-live-action-moribito-tv-series-cast/.90375|access-date=24 August 2019|work=[[Anime News Network]]|publisher=Anime News Network|date=13 July 2015|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824071850/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-13/rurouni-kenshin-tatsuya-fujiwara-more-join-live-action-moribito-tv-series-cast/.90375|url-status=live }}</ref> It stars [[Haruka Ayase]] as Balsa. Season one was shown in four episodes in March and April 2016. Season two was shown over nine episodes from January to March 2017. The third and final season was shown from November 2017 to January 2018, also over nine episodes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moribito Final|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/moribito/season3/en/|website=NHK Drama|publisher=[[NHK]]|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506162009/https://www.nhk.or.jp/moribito/season3/en/|url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Musical ===
A stage musical was produced at Nissay Theater in Tokyo in 2023, starring [[Rio Asumi]] as Balsa. It has been released on DVD.<ref>{{Cite web|title=明日海りお 日生劇場開場60周年記念 音楽劇『精霊の守り人』 DVD・Blu-ray|url=https://www.kenon-shop.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=2697|access-date=2024-07-21|website=研音公式ショップK‐SHOP|language=ja}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Daniel Baird reviewed this book and its sequel for ''[[Mythprint]]'', praised the first volume as enjoyable both by children and adults due to "plenty of richness in its characterization and fantasy world".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Baird|first=Daniel|date=2010|title=The Mythopoeic Society Reviews: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit|url=https://www.mythsoc.org/reviews/moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit.htm|access-date=2023-01-23|website=Mythprint|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919164550/https://www.mythsoc.org/reviews/moribito-guardian-of-the-spirit.htm|url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal inline|Children's literature}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071226090033/http://www.kaiseisha.co.jp/moribito/index.html Official site] of the novels {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.moribito.com Official site] of the anime {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.production-ig.co.jp/works/moribito/ Production I.G site] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/53_/index.html Production I.G site] {{in lang|en}}
* {{Hulu series}}
* {{Anime News Network|anime|6634}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q106610095}}

{{Kenji Kamiyama}}
{{Production I.G}}
{{Monthly Shōnen Gangan}}
{{Taiga drama}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1996 children's books]]
[[Category:1996 Japanese novels]]
[[Category:Anime and manga based on novels]]
[[Category:Anime Works]]
[[Category:Fictional bodyguards]]
[[Category:Gangan Comics manga]]
[[Category:Geneon USA]]
[[Category:Japanese children's novels]]
[[Category:Japanese fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Martial arts anime and manga]]
[[Category:NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan]]
[[Category:NHK original programming]]
[[Category:Novels by Nahoko Uehashi]]
[[Category:Production I.G]]
[[Category:Samurai in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]]
[[Category:Shinchosha books]]
[[Category:Shōnen manga]]
[[Category:Sword and sorcery anime and manga]]
[[Category:Taiga drama]]
[[Category:Viz Media anime]]
[[Category:Works about atonement]]