Introduction
According to an ancient legend, mermaid's flesh can grant immortality if eaten. 500 years ago, Yuta unknowingly ate a piece of mermaid's flesh. For centuries, he travels across Japan, hoping to find a mermaid, thinking she may be able to make him a normal human again. When he finally finds one, he discovers that she and her companions have been raising a girl to be their food so they can eat her and take on her youthful looks. That is how mermaids stay young. Yuta kills the mermaids and rescues her, but she has already eaten some of the mermaid's flesh. Although he had to kill the mermaids, Yuta isn't too disappointed. Yuta's once lonely existence is now over, as he has found a companion in Mana. And Mana, who had been trapped in a small hut her whole life, finds delight in even the simplest of things. Together, Yuta and Mana attempt to seek out more mermaids, trying to become normal humans again.
(Source: ANN)
Audience reviews
16 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
kirazerorequiem
what a mess this show was. Everything was pretty subpar from the lacking story, the animation, (not the worst) to even the characters.
Following Yuta's adventure for finding a unknown cure for his immortality and his idiotic choices. Soon after starting he met with his immortal counterpart to adventure with.
whilst in the end, two immortals living together and to maybe grow more friends like them with time, that would not be a bad outcome. Instead Lets continue going town to town finding the most evil women or mermaid (that is right under their thumb) plotting the most evil plan by using mermaid flesh. It was showed / hinted multiple times the mermaids knew not of how to cure immortality peacefully, i mean if he really wanted to die that bad, it's possible.
The plot overall was pointle…
Read at the sourceSesshomaru
劇場 人魚の森 the 2003 series Mermaid Forest is based on Takahashi Rumiko`s short stories, which were later published as a manga series in three volumes. The anime series is atmospherically gloomy and eerie enough to make one cringe in their seats. The idea is based on Japanese mythology, in which mermaids are unsightly and vicious creatures.
Story: Based on folk legends and the plot is told worthwhile (7/10)
Note: The story was designed with a horror element in mind for its time. From today's perspective, it may not be as tough anymore, but it is still sometimes brutal.
The Manga Mermaid Saga (Ningyo Shirīzu) consists of three volumes. The first volume "Ningyo no Mori" was adapted into an OVA in 1991 and in 1993 the second volume "Ningyo no Kizu" also received an OVA version. Both OVAs are wor…
Read at the sourceSony-Sama
Overall 6/10
In short, it feels dull compared to the Manga.
Art 3/10
The art just doesn't live up to it's predecessors (I haven't watched them but I have seen clips of them and the art is much more nicer). I'm very disappointed since it is a 13 episodes show. ( I know the predecessor animation looked dull too but the art was better when it was much older).
Story 7/10
On the other hand, the story telling was precise and we even got some informing details that didn't exist in the manga but adding them made so much more sense.
For the Sound:
Opening OST and Ending OST were good but not memorable. Characters voicing were pleasant.
Honestly, it's not worth watching after reading the manga. And I don't think watching it alone will give it it's justice.
Read at the sourceHyeChaeyoung
If you found this anime by mistake like I did, and you're wondering if you should watch it, I advise you do. It will teach you something, I can promise you that.
Story
Mermaid Forest has a very interesting dynamic when it comes to selling the story. At first you won't realize it but Yuta's life is the main subject of this anime. I say that because it might look like Mana is the main character (as listed) but in reality most of the episodes are focused on how Yuta survived all these years. It talks a lot of his past and in a very beautiful way. As you're following his present/past throughout the series you'll find yourself wondering if this anime is actually episodic or not. And I say that because it flows really well with the main story.
I've never actually watched something like this b…
Read at the sourceBenkyouespanol
Note: this is the text version of my video "mermaid forest: should we desire immortality". It contains spoilers, read at your own discretion.
This is a thematic analysis of the anime mermaid forest in which I’ll be examining the arguments it makes against and in favor of immortality.
Arguments against:
1 – immortality would result in suffering and loneliness.
Mermaid forest shows that many immortals would live lives of suffering and loneliness. For instance, Yuta suffers several painful deaths only to come back to life, ready to suffer through more of them. In other words, he’s in a constant loop of suffering.
Yuta also suffers emotionally as he is grief stricken by all his loved ones who predeceased him.
The immortal woman from the first episode suffers emotionally. The mermaids, who…
Read at the sourceArmodThoroddsson
Mermaid Forest is one of those underrated shows that not many have heard about. The show tells the story of Yuta who ate mermaid flesh and became immortal. The show is about Yuta trying to find a way to become human again. The anime starts when Yuta is 500 years old and he finds a village of mermaids that have been rasing a young girl to eat. He rescues her but finds out she too have eaten mermaid flesh. These two immortals decide to start travelling together.
This is not the typical happy show with beautiful mermaids. The story arcs in the show is usually 2 episodes long and are often sad and tragic in nature. I found the show very touching and dark in places.
by same mangaka as Inuyasha
Read at the sourceTyrannicswine117
Warning possible Spoilers
I found this anime out of nowhere and it is probably the most unknown anime I have seen, but for something that not a lot people know of it actually wasn't that bad.
500 years ago a man named Yuta accidentally ate Mermaid flesh which grants you immortality and for centuries he travelled Japan to find another Mermaid to cure his immortality then he suddenly finds Mana a woman who has ended up the same way and now both of them are on the same quest.
Honestly I thought the story was ok it was interesting knowing more about Mermaids and the different consequences of consuming mermaid flesh since it doesn't always grant you immortality and seeing Yuta and Mana's journey looking for another mermaid to cure them of this curse was enjoyable too, surprisingly enough this…
Read at the sourceADrez_Dark
Of all the works of Rumiko Takahashi, this certainly is the best, the script is well written and does not fall into the pretentiousness, which happens in many animes looking to be dark, something that can do well this series. Yuta has a poor desarroollo but his personality is well done and the way we learn from the past what makes a good character. Mana on the other hand is the most development has in the plot as it begins as the silly girl to be caring and as they pass the chapters we see it being more useful for Yuta.
The voice acting and soundtrack are good because they go well with the dark and mysterious atmosphere that has the series.
The animation is simple but in the last chapters we see that all animators work possible are taken as to give a farewell to the series.
The only points…
Read at the sourceTokis06
Mermaid Forest is a philosophical anime which primarily explores the curse of immortality. But despite its philosophical nature, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a relaxed anime; there is plenty of action, suspense and even gore in the stories!
There is a little romance in this anime and there is virtually no "fan service" or comedy moments (which depending on what you're looking for in anime, could be either a good thing or a bad thing).
Characters;
Yuta: A compassionate and intelligent man with a strong sense of justice, he is also a lonely man who carries numerous heavy emotional burdens. He was cursed with immortality after accidentally consuming mermaid flesh and ever since that day he has traveled the length and breadth of country looking for a way to undo the curse.
M…
Read at the sourcejzombee
I gave Mermaid Forest a 6 (fair) for story. It was okay. Nothing too eventful or epic. But it was interesting enough. It kept me wanting to know what happened to Yuta and Mana.
The Art in Mermaid Forest was a 6. It was alright to be honest. Better than I expected so I was pleasantly pleased with the product. Sometimes a little simple, but a lot of the time it was nice.
Sound got a 7 from me. The music in this was possibly my the best thing for me. Really did enjoy it. That and the sound in general was good indeed.
Enjoyment it got a 7 (good) Like i said I did enjoy this anime. But i cant help in thinking the ending was a little bit of a let down. Don't expect this ending to tie up all loose ends. It really doesn't. And I can see a decent amount of people feeling like they may have waste…
Read at the sourceSerB3128
With modern mermaid stories and tales such as The Little Mermaid or other Disney and cartoon adaptations involving mermaids, they're seen as these beautiful ocean goddesses with the voices of angels and hearts full of love, when in reality old mermaid lore often depicts them as devils of the sea who cause mayhem and bring death to those who dare approach them. It is very refreshing to see a show where mermaids are not, in fact, approachable and kind-hearted women, but instead are something that deserve to be warned against and left alone.
Story: 6 - 7
Mermaid flesh, if eaten, is said to give you immortality and eternal youth. As you can imagine, almost everyone in the world is out to capture a mermaid and eat it for the sake of living forever. Yuta, our main protagonist, is someone who u…
Read at the sourceberserk-san
When you get an impression, that every anime you watch or choose is something that you have seen already and are tired of it, try watching Mermaid Forest. For all those who do not hesitate to watch a kind of older animation art, it might be an interesting experience. If you are fond of romance, mystery and fantasy in anime, you will definitely like it.
Starting with the STORY:
I love ancient legends and especially Japanese ones. Mermaid Forest is first of all an eye catching title and second of all has a great concept. The story circles around immortality, loneliness, love and deception, death. All this is located often in an ancient scenery etc. Each episode tells a different tale linked with the main characters quite long past (500 years) his search for mermaids and humanity.
I believe…
Read at the sourceangelsreview
For those of you who don’t know, this is a show that was created by the same manga-ka that created Ranma ½, Inuyasha, and Lum. I had actually never known of this show until I was just glimpsing at a list of dubbed anime. Having said this, the show is a bit odd in comparing it to the shows she normally does.
The story follows two characters the most part, a man and woman who have eaten mermaid flesh and so have gained immortality. Throughout the story, you can see the different changes of the world as years go by. In a way, this is somewhat like RIN: Daughters of Mnemosyne in that sense. A lot of times though, they do look back on Yuta’s life, sometimes making it a bit hard to understand exactly what is going on when we pop back suddenly into a new time frame. Once in a while, it is hard…
Read at the sourceTsukiouji
Mermaid Forest is one of those great underrated anime series based on one of Rumiko Takahashi’s creations. She is the creator of some well known anime/manga series like Inuyasha, Ranma, Maison Ikkoku etc. However, Mermaid Forest is a bit darker and contains a well-balanced mix of mystery, suspense, horror, supernatural, drama, tragedy, and love/romance, along with a few light moments. I can’t put it into words, but for some reason this anime has the same feel and reminds me of the type of anime from the 80’s and 90’s (as the other reviewer described). It was very nostalgic watching this and even the parts that would make the story weak or ridiculous made it stronger to me.
Story- If you are looking for something fun and lighthearted with the usual beautiful mermaids, this is NOT the anim…
Read at the sourcekufreabia
If you are currently watching a long series that occassionally takes 2 week breaks (think Bleach and GrayMan), and you want to fill that spare time with some short, enjoyable anime, then you are obliged to see Mermaid Forest.
STORY:
Mermaid Forest to me is a story of endurance, love and ultimately a moral theme follows through it. The writer of this anime is famous for many love animes, so it is no surprise this anime would eventually end up being one too. The whole story is like reading a book, with different chapters. Usually each episode represents a chapter. The theme of the show is consistent through each episode, and I believe that is a good strength of the anime.
I also enjoyed the fact that this anime employed the use of filler episodes to flesh out the main character. I did not…
Read at the sourceZirgo
Mermaid Forest tells the story about a fisher man named Yuta that, because he has eaten Mermaid flesh, now is immortal and is in search of a Mermaid to make him normal again. During his travels he encounters other people experiences with Mermaids and find a female companion named Mana to share his adventures with. The story is linear but with flashbacks from Yuta\'s life.
The overall feel in the anime is that it is drawn in very traditional ways and the techniques feel like that of older animes, but the series is actually produced in 2002. I think that this anime is one that devides people into two camps,, either they like it or they don\'t. It doesn\'t stand out much and there isn\'t a clear red thread that goes through the series but the stories are interesting at some points. So overall…
Read at the source