The Anulet of the Famned is a legendary artifact that has captivated the imaginations of many adventurers and scholars throughout history. Said to hold immense power, the Anulet is both a tool of unimaginable potential and a source of great danger. Legend has it that the Anulet was created by an ancient civilization known as the Famned, who were reputed to possess extraordinary magical abilities. The Anulet is said to have been forged in a time of great turmoil and chaos, as a means to restore balance and order to a world teetering on the brink of destruction. According to ancient texts, the Anulet possesses the ability to harness and channel the raw energies of the world, granting its wielder unparalleled control over magic in all its forms. It is said that even the most novice spellcaster can become a force to be reckoned with when in possession of the Anulet, wielding powers that would otherwise be beyond their capabilities.
It is said that even the most novice spellcaster can become a force to be reckoned with when in possession of the Anulet, wielding powers that would otherwise be beyond their capabilities. However, the Anulet is not without its drawbacks. It is said to have a corrupting influence on those who use it, gradually eroding their sanity and consuming their very soul.
Apocalypse occult academy
In the latest issue of Otaku USA magazine, we bust out a feature on the mega-popular Sword Art Online, based on the light novels by Reki Kawahara. While Kawahara is no doubt a hot topic when it comes to SAO, the anime adaptation is also something director Tomohiko Ito has come to be known for. That’s fine and dandy, but let’s not forget Ito and studio A-1 Pictures’ 2010 show, Occult Academy, which is doing a fine job of standing the test of time so far.
It’s hard to believe it’s been so long, but we posted our first impressions of the series back when the summer 2010 anime season was underway. Many of those feelings came flooding back when revisiting Occult Academy recently. It’s a sharply directed show that keeps things tight and fun throughout its 13-episode run, which is actually something Sword Art Online could have taken a cue from. While Ito is also known for his work on the 2006 adaptation of Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba’s Death Note—and is also helming the upcoming anime version of Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa’s Silver Spoon—Occult Academy stands out as a successful crack at original anime.
The series follows Maya Kumashiro, daughter of the headmaster at Waldstein Acadamy, AKA the Occult Academy, who visits the school after her father’s passing. Her initial goal when arriving to attend his funeral is to accept her inheritance of the school and then promptly shut it down. It’s clear from the beginning that she holds a hefty chunk of resentment toward the occult—a subject that completely dominated her late father’s life—so she’d just as soon be done with it for good. Things change, however, when she gets entangled in the Prophecy of Nostradamus, which predicts the end of the world, and a mysterious force that’s intent on seeing it come to pass. It came after her father, and she’s most certainly next.
The key to stopping the prophecy is, well, a Key. The apocalypse can be prevented by destroying the Nostradamus Key, and that’s precisely why Fumiaki Uchida, AKA Abe Minoru, has been sent back in time to find it. This brings him, floating nude like a descending angel, face to face with Maya, who eventually comes around and decides to team up with Fumiaki to stop the apocalypse. Thus we have all the makings of a series loaded with occult action and an all-or-nothing race against the clock.
Occult Academy manages to create a really potent blend of light horror elements, Japanese folklore, and plenty of humor that keeps things from getting too dire. At times it scratches that monster of the week itch, but never strays too far from the pressing matter of finding the Nostradamus Key by any means necessary. While Maya initially comes off as an extremely cold character, there’s plenty more to her than that, and we gradually witness the shedding of various layers as the show progresses. Likewise, Fumiaki is a really interesting character, especially with the way his current mission is woven in with flashes to the future, and references to the other Abe Minoru characters that attempted to find the Key before him. Needless to say, those missions didn’t end too well.
The end result is worth experiencing for yourself if you haven’t yet, and I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the fun here. Occult Academy is a great show to marathon over the course of a day or two and, best of all, it looks fantastic. A-1 Pictures did a bang-up job on everything from the character designs to the animation, which holds up well a few years later. There are plenty of options for checking out the series—NIS America released it on Blu-ray and it’s still streaming over at Crunchyroll—so do yourself a solid if you haven’t given Occult Academy a shot yet.
©A-1 Pictures/Aniplex, TV TOKYO
That most of the side characters are unimaginative makes the story even less relevant to the audience. The supporting cast never evolve past their gimmicks: fat dowsing student, the quirky father, occult-obsessed glasses girl, and Maya’s childhood friend. Perhaps the poor pacing and the unimportant early episode are to blame. And, while more important side characters are developed with more success, it only happens near the end of the series long after the story has begun in earnest. The hurried development makes the growth and changes of the characters a bit hard to digest, particularly with Mikaze, a relatively forgettable character, who would later get a surprisingly large role.
Many who have sought to harness its power have fallen victim to its malevolent influence, becoming consumed by their own lust for power and descending into madness. Throughout history, there have been numerous stories of great heroes and renowned mages who have sought to claim the Anulet for themselves, only to be brought to ruin by its influence. The tales speak of epic battles and tragic falls from grace, as well as the destruction that the Anulet can unleash upon the world when in the wrong hands. The exact location of the Anulet is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few who are rumored to be its guardians. Many have dedicated their lives to its search, venturing into uncharted lands and facing unimaginable dangers in their quest to possess its power. Yet, to this day, no one has successfully claimed the Anulet for themselves. Whether the Anulet of the Famned is simply a myth or a hidden reality, it remains an enduring symbol of power and danger in the world of magic. Its allure continues to draw in those who seek its power, and its true nature continues to elude all who search for it. Only time will tell if the Anulet will ever be found, and if its power will bring about salvation or destruction..
Reviews for "The Anulet of the Damned's Secret Power: Possession and Control"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I recently read "Anulet of the Famned" and I have to say, I was quite disappointed. The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, with multiple plotlines that didn't seem to connect in any meaningful way. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to feel invested in their struggles. Additionally, the writing style was quite dry and lacked the descriptive language that usually brings a story to life. Overall, I found this book to be a lackluster reading experience.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Anulet of the Famned" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with generic fantasy tropes and clichéd twists that didn't add any excitement or depth to the story. Furthermore, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters on any level. I found myself skim-reading through pages just to get to the end and, even then, the conclusion felt rushed and unsatisfying. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and engaging fantasy read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Anulet of the Famned," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing of the story was uneven, with long stretches of exposition followed by sudden, rushed action sequences that left me feeling disoriented. The world-building also left much to be desired, as the author failed to provide enough detail and depth to fully immerse the reader. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry, adding unnecessary distractions to an already lackluster plot. Overall, "Anulet of the Famned" did not live up to my expectations as a captivating fantasy novel.
4. Mike - 3/5 stars - I have mixed feelings about "Anulet of the Famned." While there were certain aspects of the story that intrigued me, such as the unique magic system and the potential for interesting character development, the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, and there were moments where the narrative lost its focus, making it difficult to stay engaged. The writing style felt overly descriptive at times, bogging down the story with unnecessary details. However, I must admit that the climax did manage to redeem some of the book's flaws, providing a thrilling conclusion. Despite its shortcomings, "Anulet of the Famned" may still appeal to readers who enjoy traditional fantasy narratives.