Saraiya Goyou 1 (House of Five Leaves)
- Director/Series Composition: Tomomi Mochizuki (Kimagure Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Ocean Waves, Princess Nine, Ranma)
- Original creator: Natsume Ono
- Art Director: Michie Watanabe (Backgrounds: Eureka Seven, Haibane Renmei, Gundam Seed, Samurai Champloo)
- Daisuke Namikawa as Masanosuke Akitsu
- Takahiro Sakurai as Yaichi
Plot Summary: Akitsu Masanosuke is a timid ronin on his way to Edo from the countryside when he accidentally encounters a playboy named Yaichi, who asks him to be his bodyguard. But it turns out that Yaichi is actually the leader of a group of bandits called the “Five Leaves,” and he’s hoping that Masanosuke will join them. Masanosuke is reluctant to help them, but as grows closer to his eccentric new companions, he learns to relate to them and grow as a person in the process.
The backgrounds are gorgeous and directing is good, but the plot does not seem very interesting to me. It looks like I won’t be watching any new anime this season… Time to go back to the past…
Kitsune's Thoughts 
The BG looks indeed great but the characters design looks creepy…well, at least the cat is cute o_o
(no, I don’t plan to follow this one either)
Yes, the character design is quite unique. I find that Ristorante featured a better, softer design.
Hmm… I can’t say much about the plot since I haven’t read enough manga chapters but I really liked the atmosphere(i.e., like you said, style + directing was good), so I’ll stick around for more.
It might turn out good. I’ll see what you think about further episodes 🙂
Read the manga and you’ll change your mind ;3
http://sigikki.com/series/houseoffiveleaves/index.shtml
…actually, if you start reading the manga, you’ll probably wanna stick with that instead. It’s by the same (original) creator as Ristorante Paradiso! We gotta represent! =3
Thank you for mentioning manga source 🙂 I’ll try to read it if I find time.
Yes, I love Ristorante, and this one might be as good in the long-term.
yes backgrounds are beautiful. the lack of pupil freaks me out. I must watch the episode…I had forgotten the air date. thx for reminding.
have you checked rainbow? it seems promising. it’s subbed now. check Frostii’s collaboration with Saizen
Yes, character design is unusual and takes time to get used to.
Rainbow seems to be a very good drama, and I would have followed such an anime probably, but now I am so busy and tired that I’d rather not enter such a dark atmosphere of this anime.
watched the episode. I liked the atmosphere…i can’t put my fingers clearly on it why, but I liked it. So, I’ll try more.
Then, for a lighter atmosphere perhaps Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei might offer us sth good. It airs on 22/4. Let’s see…I expect much from this one.
Yes, this anime has a good quiet atmosphere.
Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei is the last one of the season I intend to try. Thank you for reminding about it 🙂
I found this anime 2 weeks ago and like it very much. Will stick around. I don’t mind the character designs, at least, they look different.
It might turn out good – worth a try.
Hello. I just finished watching this amine yesterday. I like it very much! It was very interesting actually. The plot doesnt say it all. I do hope you continue watching it till the end and make more posts of it 🙂
Hi Ing. It sounds like you really enjoyed this anime 🙂 Perhaps, when I have time, I’ll consider finishing this anime.
Anime*