Somali and the Forest Spirit

The world is ruled by spirits, goblins, and all manner of strange creatures. Human beings are persecuted, to the very point of extinction. One day, a golem and a lone human girl meet. This is a record of the pair, one a member of a ruined race, the other a watchman of the forest. It tells of their travels together and of the bond between father and daughter.

Somali and the Forest Spirit (2020) is a Japanese animated fantasy adventure series based on a manga and produced by SATELIGHT, HORNETS and other studios, broadcast on ABEMA, TOKYO MX and BS Nippon TV. Its twelve episodes of roughly twenty-four minutes follow a golem, a member of a ruined race, and Somali, a lone human girl, as they meet and travel together. The voice cast includes Inori Minase as Somali, Daisuke Ono as the Golem, and Hiroki Nanami as Shizuno, with Tatsuhisa Suzuki and Saori Hayami in supporting roles. The engine of the show is simple and affecting: two outcasts crossing a land where spirits, goblins and strange creatures rule, while humans are hunted close to extinction. Each episode is built from small encounters, meals, detours and dangers met on the road, and the bond between the pair deepens into something like father and daughter. The tone is gentle and wistful, with moments of quiet peril and survival rather than constant action. Its shape is a single self-contained season with an arc that resolves the journey. Fans of Mushishi, Made in Abyss and Kemono Friends will find resonance in its fantasy wandering, its creature sympathy and its tender companionship.

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the bond between Somali and Golem and the fantasy world's imaginative creatures.

• Mushishifantasy world of spirits and creatures, gentle slice of life tone, found family bond between unlikely travelers
• Made in Abyssfantasy adventure with a wandering pair and a father daughter bond in a monster filled world
• Kemono Friendsanimated fantasy journey with a non human companion and a child protagonist, gentle survival tone

Release Date

2020-01-10

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (51)

What is Somali and the Forest Spirit about?

A lone human girl and a golem travel together through a world ruled by spirits and goblins, forming a bond of father and daughter.

What is Somali and the Forest Spirit like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Somali and the Forest Spirit as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Somali and the Forest Spirit violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Somali and the Forest Spirit as mild.

What did critics think of Somali and the Forest Spirit?

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the bond between Somali and Golem and the fantasy world's imaginative creatures.

Which shows are like Somali and the Forest Spirit?

Shows with a similar feel include Mushishi, Made in Abyss, and Kemono Friends.

How long is Somali and the Forest Spirit?

Somali and the Forest Spirit: 1 season, 12 episodes.

Is Somali and the Forest Spirit still running?

No, Somali and the Forest Spirit has ended.

Where can I watch Somali and the Forest Spirit?

In United States, Somali and the Forest Spirit streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.