Common Name: The Dragon Dentist
Alternative Names: Ryuu no Haisha
Score: 8/10, 5/5
Length: 2 45-minute OVAs
Genre: Action, Drama, Supernatural, Military
Summary: Set in a world that is engaged in a WWII-era conflict, two nations are undergoing a difficult battle for the local region that might just change the way of the world. While one of the nations has a stronger military presence and might, the other has a dragon on their side. It is the duty of the Dragon Dentists to protect this immortal dragon's teeth, which are both the source of the dragon's powers and its only weakness. Calamity can strike in many ways and through many forms, though, as a young military officer of the opposing army is reborn from the teeth of the dragon. It'll be up to the Dragon Dentists to decide if they should heed this sign of calamity and dispose of the threat this boy represents or simply see what the dragon has planned for them.
Review: Ah, another form of media, another series for these things I call "reviews," and this definitely isn't the worst title to start off this series, but I'll talk more about my personal opinions, praises, and complaints later...much later. In fact, I'll it say right now: you might want to go grab a glass or water or something cause this is easily my longest review yet.
Ryuu no Haisha, or The Dragon Dentist to an English-speaking audience, is a quasi-religious war story that mainly focuses on the Dragon Dentists, individuals who tend to the dental needs of one of the world's immortal dragons. Now, I'm fully aware that this might sound like a weird premise, and you may think that the anime industry has some kind of bizarre fascination with dental care when you consider that...unique scene from the Bakemonogatari franchise (look it up at your own risk), but it actually ends up being an intriguing story about living in a world that: (A) openly acknowledges predetermination and (B) has the equivalent to a god freely roaming the skies. To those who aren't familiar with the term predetermination, you probably know it better as the concept of "fate" or "destiny" or a "divine plan" for anything and everything that occurs within our world down to the little things that ultimately determine what actions we take or choices we make, depending on how lenient the belief system is. In short, this review is going to mention some things that are pretty complex and might require you to keep an extra tab open to look up specific words or ideas that I'll be inclined to bring up. I will try to dumb down some of this material the best I can, though, so that my opinion will be intelligible at the very least....and I'm just now realizing that intelligible might be too complex a word for some people.
Don't say I didn't give you ample warning.
My being a pompous ass who loves throwing around fancy words aside, I suppose I should get to the actual meat of this movie. The story of The Dragon Dentist is centered, primarily, around two main characters, a girl and boy respectively. The girl, Kishii Nonoko, is a young Dragon Dentist eager to ascend the nominal hierarchy of the Dragon Dentists and take on more serious work. In many ways, she reminds me of that stereotype of young, Japanese employees that pops up in anime every now and then--eager to prove themselves to the point of childish recklessness. Unlike these stereotypically childish characters, though, it would be a disservice to call Nonoko arrogant and her desire to take on more responsibilities unreasonable. While Nonoko lacks the skills the other Dragon Dentists possess, since they are her elders in the trade, she makes up for it with the kind of strength of will and steadfast determination that makes her an ideal Dragon Dentist. That fact does not become clear, however, until the title's second main character proves himself to be the perfect foil to her perspective.
Where she is strong, he does not belong. Word.
Enter our second main character, Bell (also known as Bernard Octavius or Octavias according to other sources), who is very much Nonoko's polar opposite. For starters, he isn't a Dragon Dentist. He is, or rather was, a reserve officer in the opposing army until his own troops murdered him and he was resurrected by and on the dragon as a Yomigaeri, an omen that foretells the coming of a great calamity. That is, however, more of a statement of who he was than who he is, which is far more important. As I said before, he is Nonoko's polar opposite. Where she is a strong, independent, and amicable character Bell is passive, timid, and incapable of turning the good head on his shoulders into a weapon against his enemies. As far as the Dragon Dentists are concerned, though, that doesn't really matter. Regardless of his past, the Dragon's Code states that all people born of the dragon's teeth are Dragon Dentists, a nominal title that spares him the wrath of the soldiers who live on the dragon with the Dentists. What they're more concerned about is the threat that his arrival represents. It is from this point that forward that Nonoko takes Bell under her wing and they both become key players in the war that rages on and around the dragon they serve. Just so we're clear, the war I'm speaking of isn't one that strictly encompasses the bloody conflict that rages around the dragon, though it certainly is a big part of it. This war is just as much a war of blood and land as it is a war of ideals and perspectives, and it is that latter part that truly fascinates me.
What is a war to someone who already paid for it with their life?
Now, before I start waxing poetic about how deep and intellectually stimulating this two-part movie is, I feel like I should offer another sort of disclaimer. My "review" from here on out is going to dip into the pool of spoilers quite frequently. If I've already grabbed your attention with this title, and you want to get the cleanest experience possible, I'd recommend you stop reading now and pick this back up when you're done watching it. If I haven't interested you that's fine too, though I don't know why you'd still be reading if that was the case since this shit's going to go on for a while longer. If, however, you don't mind spoilers, then, by all means, keep reading. From here on out, I'll just be offering some insight into what I took away from this title and some food for thought for those who don't mind going into a movie with a list of things to look out for and people who've already seen it. Once I'm done with that, I'll move on to my opinions. So, without further adieu, my review part two.
Like I said, we got some deep stuff to talk about.
That image alone captures pretty much the entire essence of this movie, and it's not something that can be easily answered when you have all the information. It is the nature of that that question, after all, that encouraged me to bring up the topic of predetermination at the top of this review. Just so we're all still clear on this, I'll summarize it again: predetermination is a typically religious concept that can also be spoken of as "fate" or "destiny" and it is basically the belief that everything in this world follows some kind of divine plan. Obviously, with such a belief system, it's easy to think your actions and choices don't matter if you were destined to live your life the way you do. Under such a belief system, the faithful are more inclined to "let Jesus take the wheel" or worse, lay the blame for their actions on the will of their God. Now, keep in mind that this concept is still alive and well in our "modern world" and that it is arguably a pretty big problem. So why am I hosting a mini-lecture on predetermination? As I said before, the world of The Dragon Dentist is one where this concept is basically law as far as the Dragon Dentists are concerned, but that's because they are uniquely aware of it.
To become a Dragon Dentist, a person must undergo a test where they commune with the dragon through its teeth. During this communion, the dragon shows the participant the moment they will die. If the Dentist candidate can't accept that as their fate or if try to fight it, they simply "return to the dragon" and that's the end for them. Those who accept the inevitability of their death are reborn from the dragon's teeth and serve as Dragon Dentists from that point on.
Makes you wonder why people haven't tried killing the immortal dragons.
Now, it'd be one thing if this test was merely a vision into one of the many ways a Dragon Dentist might die, but that's not the case. Due to the sudden death of a character and the purely magical phenomena that occurs before that point, it is made unarguably clear that there is no way to avoid or even alter your coming demise. Despite this clear limit on their lifespan, the Dragon Dentists don't really mind though. Rather than stressing the details or dreading that coming day, the vast majority of them are content to live their lives one day at a time and revel in the thrills that might come with it because they know when "their time will come," when they will return to the dragon just like everyone else is destined to do.
Now, in comes Bell, a young man who was struck down in his prime and was reborn in much the same way as the Dragon Dentists, but he never received his vision because his time had already come. The dragon, for whatever reason, chose to give him some kind of second chance, and this is where we see the war of ideals begin. While the Dragon Dentists all characteristically express ambivalence or simple acceptance of their inevitable death, it could be argued that they are committing a slow and steady suicide since they aren't trying to fight the coming of "that time" or attempting to live for their own sake, rather than the dragon's. In contrast, Bell is very much a worldly person who is desperate to find purpose and meaning in his new life because what is the point in living or dying if you don't try to do as much as you possibly can, aka live a full, long, and happy life. What's interesting though is that each Dragon Dentist responds to his selfish, and very much human, ideals differently. Nonoko treats him like he's just an idiot who'll never get it, despite her best efforts. Goudo, the de facto leader of the Dragon Dentists, considers Bell and other humans brave for constantly fighting their fates even though they'll all die and return to the dragon one day, no matter how hard they fight. Perhaps each person's response speaks to the possibility that they thought the same thing at one point before they became Dentists, or maybe that there's still a part of them that still agrees with Bell on some level.
Now, you may have noticed that I keep using the phrase "return to the dragon/dragon's teeth" which seems like a strange idea since the Dragon Dentists and Bell are the only ones we see who are reborn from the dragon's teeth. Much like the predetermination this is just another one of the dragon's other myriad powers or responsibilities.
Honestly, now matter what label I give them, it doesn't seem quite right.
According to everyone in the show, it is basic knowledge in this world that, when a person dies, their heart returns to its source which is found in the teeth of the dragons. Not only that, but the personal belongings the dead had at their "appointed time" (clothes, weapons, tools, etc.) collect within the dragon's mouth when they pass on. So, like Bell said, I'm inclined to ask what the hell these great immortal dragons really are. Are they gods? That would certainly explain why people revere or despise them. Are they the caretakers of the dead? Surely not since they actively let life flow in either direction. Honestly, the closest equivalent I've come to is that they are the avatar or culmination of all life past, present, and future. Such a role would easily justify their position as beings through which all life returns and maybe even originates. It would certainly explain their power to orchestrate the fate of the world and accurately inform people of exactly how and when they will die. Also, while this is a minor thing and perhaps a bit of a stretch, it would also explain the symbolism seen in the two instruments the dragon carries, a rake and ladle. One represents either the collecting of detritus or creating fertile land from the earth. The other either pours out its contents to nourish/bless the land or take things from it. If I am correct and that is their role, then why is there more than one dragon? Why is one actively engaged in a human war? Also, how is it that these gods, for lack of a better word, are threatened by the relatively tiny bakemushi (cavity bugs)?
Seriously, why are cavities a threat to these immortal and all-powerful creatures?
You might be asking why I'm only now bringing up such a massive aspect of this world, and the short of it is that they honestly aren't all that important to the story itself. The Mushi are just another fact of this world that provides some insight into the thought processes behind this movie and the depth within it. Let's start by saying there's a good reason I keep bringing up religious ideas and themes and even went so far as to call the title itself pseudo-religious. That wasn't just because the dragon is something like an unknowable god to this world. I also claim that because this movie is littered with imagery and a few names that refer back to the Japanese Shinto belief system. Now, be aware, I'm far from an expert on the Shinto faith, but I'm capable of noticing it in some circumstances. This faith system expresses itself in the show primarily through the attitudes of the Dragon Dentists which I can easily compare to the mentality of Shinto priests who work to strike a balance between this world and the spiritual world and in the lives of those around them. This balance is struck through the encouragement of self-reflection and meditation as well as actively pacifying negative forces or spirits in the world, which is precisely what the Dragon Dentists do with the various Mushi that inhabit the dragon's mouth. One of the earliest hints of this connection to the Shinto faith is the simple name of a species of mushi, the typically harmless aratama, which sounds very much like the Ara-mitama, the violent aspect of the spiritual soul. As a little aside, I'd really recommend looking up the Mitama at some point since they are, as I see it, one of the primary and most complex aspects of the Shinto belief system. The comparison doesn't end with that name drop, however, as Bell determines the true nature of one the Mushi, if not all Mushi.
While it is faint, it's worth noting that those "voices" sound like muffled screams. Creepy stuff.
Assuming that trend follows and that particular Mushi expresses the voices of the dead, imagine what could be inferred from the existence of the more playful and beautiful as well as the harmful and dangerous Mushi. Also, take into account that we only see the Mushi within the mouth of the dragon which is directly tied to the spiritual world and the destination of all the deceased. Personally, I like to believe that humanity is inclined to leave more behind in the dragon's mouth than just their personal belongings when they pass on. So, like I said before, this is a movie that offers a lot of food for thought and mental stimulation. Before I end this little speculation train, though, I'll ask one last question: What would happen if the dragon lost its teeth which are both the source of its powers and the gateway that all the dead must pass through?
Alrighty, have I successfully blown your mind of bored you to death? Yes? Perfect. That means it's time for me to actually get around to legitimately reviewing this legitimately great title. It's definitely not the best that it could be, but it's a easy and compelling story that is highly engaging for people like me who like to knit-pick and delve into the lore of such a well though out world. I'm fully aware, though, that not everyone gets their jollies by speculating the negative effects of a visibly existent deity on a people who are powerless to defy said deity's will. Regardless, I'd personally recommend giving this movie a chance. It has a gorgeous aesthetic, interesting characters that are as complex as they are believable, and a depth to it that encourages more than one watch. Full disclosure: I watched both parts three times each before I felt confident enough to speculate, let alone review, this title, and even then I had to refer back to the material constantly when I wrote this to ensure I wasn't misinterpreting something. To be clear, there are some pretty big flaws with the movie as well. For example, the actions of the enemy faction make little sense and lack any explanation as to why or how they accomplished their goals. Not only that, but the reasons they do give come across as insanely petty which completely devalues their efforts and accomplishments. Because of that one issue, the ending to this otherwise great story becomes something dull and pointless.
While I'm at it, I'll openly admit that this movie's lore is one of it's greatest flaws because, while that lore is fascinating and integral to understanding the story, the movie doesn't go out of it's way to explain that lore. If you come into this movie without some knowledge of the Mushi in other animes, you'll easily miss the what they represent in the movie. That problem, actually, brings me to another issue: this title relies a little too heavily on the movies and anime that came before it. Almost immediately I was able to draw solid connections between this title and some other big anime titles. First and foremost, the Mushi from this series are almost directly lifted from Mushishi, a story about a Mushi Master who works to create a balance between humanity and the omnipresent and spiritually empowered Mushi. The war featured in this title reminds me a lot of Princess Mononoke where you have the natural world and the spiritual world colliding for dominance over the world and it's resources. Heck, even things as simple as the tools that the Dragon Dentists use are highly reminiscent of the scissor blades from Kill la Kill in that they grow or change based on the will of their user, not to mention their red coloration.
While the movie calls back to all these different aspects of other shows it does little to justify their existence in its own world. While I am a person who appreciates shows that "don't sweat the details" since doing so makes the watching experience more enjoyable, I think this movie didn't stress them nearly enough, especially when a single line or action would explain so much and make the title absolutely amazing. However, in the interest of fairness, I will reiterate the fact that I adore this movie. It may not be perfect and leave me begging for more detail or maybe a few more movies to close the world's narrative, but it is a legitimately good movie and I'd recommend it to anyone willing to listen.
TL;DR: Did you like Princess Mononoke? If yes, watch this. If no, watch it anyway.