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Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

(1996, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Nahako Uehashi, Illustrated by Cathy Hirano)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Satisfying Japanese take on classic hero tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Everyone behaves nobly and selflessly. A female character acts as mentor to the hero.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Several bloody battles, between humans, and human vs. monster, with serious injuries. A man is beaten by a mob, and a tale is told in which a boy is torn in half by a monster. Violent deaths are referred to in stories of the past.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    A few damns.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    An adult drinks wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Parents need to know that there are a couple of bloody battles, with injuries to both major and minor characters.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the classic Path of the Hero. How is the plot outline of this story similar to others you have read? What are the variations? Is this one better or worse than the others? What makes it so?
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