The time is out of joint. O Cursed Spite, that ever I was born to set it right!

Being an otaku is an extra fun thing when you're an English major. There are quite a few titles out there that borrow heavily from great literature, or reinvent well-known plotlines like Romeo and Juliet or Arabian Nights for the anime format. Knowing this, I'm rather surprised it took me so long to get around to watching Zetsuen no Tempest, which incorporates not one but TWO Shakespeare titles into its framework: tragedy Hamlet and comedy The Tempest. One wouldn't think pairing these titles would create something cohesive, since they are very different in nature. Hamlet focuses on a young prince who swears revenge on his uncle for killing his father, and The Tempest centers on the schemes of a sorcerer trapped on an island as he punishes the brother who deposed him and brings together two young lovers, Ferdinand and Miranda.

However, Zetsuen no Tempest makes several themes in these two titles gel together as best as they can. Zetsuen focuses on two young men, Mahiro and Yoshino, who align themselves with a young princess and mage named Hakaze who has been stranded on an island by her clansman, Samon. Hakaze's magic is created through the sacrifice of physical objects created by mankind, and since her lonely island has no such products of civilization, she cannot exercise her magic to free herself. Instead, she carves two wooden dolls and sets one adrift, a type of basic magic used to communicate over distance. As luck (or divine favor) would have it, the doll reaches the hands of Mahiro, who quickly takes the princess up on her offer to grant his wish in exchange for his help. Mahiro's younger step-sister Aika was recently brutally murdered in a home robbery, and lack of evidence prevented her murderer from being brought to justice. If Hakaze can find her murderer, Mahiro vows to help her stop whatever Samon is plotting.

Hakaze, Yoshino, Mahiro, and Aika

Mahiro's friend Yoshino also has a reason for helping. Unbeknownst to Mahiro, he was dating Aika in secret and was deeply in love with her. He realizes vengeance will not bring her back, so he decides to follow Mahiro to make sure he truly works to help Hakaze and save the world rather than simply single-mindedly chasing justice without a thought as to who gets hurt in the process.

The relationships between Mahiro, Yoshino, and Aika initially set up the basis for the Hamlet comparisons. Mahiro serves as Hamlet himself, a hot headed youth seeking revenge at any cost. He frequently quotes one of Hamlet's popular lines "The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right" in reference to the fact that he feels the logic of the world has been disturbed not only through the conflict between Hakaze and Samon, but through Aika's senseless murder. Interestingly enough, Mahiro also can be seen as Laertes, the brother of Ophelia. Aika, the seemingly innocent woman brought to a tragic death, has quite a bit in common with Ophelia in the beginning, particularly considering that she is torn between the love of her brother (which for Mahiro's part is romantic love) and the affection of her lover (in which case Yoshino becomes the Hamlet figure). Yoshino realizes Mahiro was in love with Aika, but frequently states, in the words of Hamlet, "40,000 brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum."

The murdered Aika. What brought her to this fate?

Of course, all of this is a conflict stewing under the surface. The main issue is that the Kusaribe clan to which Hakaze and Samon belong is wrapped up in a potentially lethal conflict. Hakaze adheres to the clan's deity, the Tree of Genesis, which maintains the logic in the world and grants its followers magic in exchange for material sacrifices. However, Samon and the rest of the clan betray the Tree and attempt to revive a rival deity, the Tree of Exodus, for unknown reasons. Their rituals to wake the Tree of Exodus spread the "Kurogane Syndrome," which turns everyone in the area of their rituals to black iron unless they are protected by the talismans of the Kusaribe clan. This initially is thought to be a curse originating within the Tree of Exodus, but is later learned to be an action on the part of the Tree of Genesis to stop its rival.

Hakaze may want the best for the world, but is
her path the right one?

The real battle is not so straightforward as anyone thinks. The loyalties of all the main characters undergo a transformation throughout the anime as they learn more about the natures of both Trees and where the greatest level of risk lies. As they decide upon the best way to act in regards to two rival Trees as well as the murder of Aika, the plot of The Tempest, one of Aika's favorite books, is added to the equation. Like Hamlet, it is a tale of revenge, but it is one that does not end in tragedy for any of the characters involved. The characters, particularly Yoshino, view The Tempest as a way of remembering that there can be more than one ending, and that fighting on behalf of someone like Aika does not have to bring about more tragedy.

Zetsuen no Tempest is a great show on several levels. It is not only very intelligent in its plot, but also incredibly emotional. The love triangle between Mahiro, Yoshino, and Aika is made even more powerful by flashbacks to Yoshino and Aika when they were going out, during which both characters show a deep and very emotionally mature relationship. The flashbacks also include meaningful communication between Mahiro and Aika, the by-marriage siblings. Though Mahiro was in love with Aika, he did not realize it before he died. She most likely did, but the real beauty in their relationship is their love as siblings, even though it was laden with unrealized tensions on Mahiro's part. It is later revealed that Aika was very much touched that they were able to have such a strong relationship given the fact that most people she knew were afraid of her (SPOILER: because of her powers as the mage of Exodus).

Trees ruin everything. Just ask Tales of Symphonia!

There is also a fair balance of plot and action in this title. However, there is a stretch of episodes following a SINGLE CONVERSATION, and the show is suspenseful and sharp enough to make the whole dialogue interesting. In fact, this intellectual and tactical debate between Mahiro, Yoshino, Hakaze, and Samon is great in part because it allows the viewer to take part and try to puzzle out themselves how their battle can be won without sacrificing the world and Hakaze in the process.  

The Shakespearean inclusions were also very well-done. Hamlet and The Tempest don't usually draw enough parallels to make a comparison strong enough to fill a 24-episode series, but the writers hone in on the true union of themes found in the fact that conflict does not have to end in tragedy. Having Aika as the character who draws and eventually spreads this understanding is also wise; though younger than both Yoshino and Mahiro, her emotional maturity is what leads to them to think and act more wisely as the story progresses.

Aika is already deceased when the story begins, but her life has far reaching consequences

As a female viewer, I also was moved by the characterizations of both Aika and Hakaze. Though Hakaze is a bit of a mess in the second half of the story when she falls in love with Yoshino, I was pleased by her leadership and wisdom throughout the series. One of the best scenes in the entire story is when she and Aika share the screen when the truth of Aika's death comes to light. I've never been more confused about which characters' views I stood behind in my life when it came to Aika vs. Hakaze.

Unlike Aika, she doesn't manage to stay cool as a cucumber when in love

If you love thinking while watching an anime, watch this title. It is excellently written, smart, suspenseful, and incredibly emotional and beautiful. There is action, romance, fantasy/sci-fi, non black-and-white morality, and Shakespeare! What more could you want? It's been awhile since I tackled a series where I simply could not stop watching, so I highly recommend this title for some brain food anime to sneak in before fall season starts!