Gingitsune is about Makoto, a young girl who lives in a shrine. She possesses what they call the “sight” and is able to see heralds, servitors of the gods living inside each shrine. As such, we follow our young heroine and the lone herald of her shrine named Gintaro, as they go through their daily lives.
In truth, there is really no more than this taking place during this anime. The whole thing is all about Makoto and her interaction with the world. While it sounds simple it is not, and the reason for this is simple, Makoto can see heralds. It makes you different.
Aside from this little fact, the anime clearly is slice of life. Makoto goes to school, she makes friends, she helps people, her family helps people, and, surprise, a boy comes to live with her. As a side, it is nothing more than your usual slice of life. It even manages the completed feat of not being boring.
Everything would be completely normal if it was not for the heralds. Gintaro lives in Makoto’s shrine alone despite the custom being that two of them should guard the place. He is not the only herald we will see in this series. And I think that is where the strength of this anime lies.
I have a soft spot for the supernatural, even more so when it deals with Shinto practice. As far as I am concerned, this is the first time I have seen something that spends so much time inside a shrine. I discovered many things I did not know about Shinto. That is a big plus for me. Gingitsune dealt extensively with the supernatural, while being informative and staying rooted in reality.
I think I have fallen in love.
As for characters, we get to know Makoto, who is a normal girl despite having faced so many things and being able to see things others do not. I liked this side of her. I found her cute, I found her relationship with Gintaro cute. She was pretty bland but in the good sense of the term. You see, she was nothing special but she did her best anyway, in all situations. While I did not find her too interesting I found her admirable. That’s even better.
As for Gintaro, well, he is a grumpy old man who has seen too much. He looks like he’s tired of everything but in reality he cares about others, humans and heralds alike, even if he pretends he does not. Another thing I found admirable.
Everyone else were more or less along the same lines. I might not have found everyone admirable but I sure did not dislike anyone, nor was particularly bothered by anyone.
Before I stop and give a final opinion, Miki Shinichirou does make a nice Gintaro. His voice was perfect for the character.
And now for the final opinion. I think I have fallen in love with Gingitsune, I wish it had been longer. I also think it is worth watching if you’re interested in Japanese traditions, especially in Shinto.
