3/5 An epic tale.
  by E. L. Howard (Boston, MA USA)
I wanted to love this series, but it fell flat for me.

Researching the terms used in this series is a big helper before you even start watching. The main characters have interesting backgrounds and most of them seem to develop nicely as the story progresses, but I failed to become attached to any of them. The English dub is very well done; I haven't yet experienced it with the original Japanese voice acting. The character designs definitely are not my style. I understand that main protagonist is supposed to start as an average girl, but the design just doesn't appeal to me. The animation looks pretty good, and the grandiose world is well presented.

I'm going to give it another watch with subtitles at some point. Maybe it'll do something to create the magic I felt was missing. So, take my review with a grain of salt until I make an edit with a second run through. :)

5/5 Fantastic anime!!!!
  by Mitzie
This is an excellent anime. Awesome character development is involved. Story is fantastic! Its not your typical girl from another world anime. your on the edge of your seat the whole time! Its 45 eps long but its still not enough i wanted more. saying that though doesn't mean it ends on a cliffhanger. The show in the end wraps up very well and your left satisfied with the ending. Any anime fan would love this series and wont be left disappointed. Highly recommend it.

5/5 Introspection Enhanced
  by Thomas A. Dimattia (Wichita, Kansas USA)
In the long history of Japan's habit of being introspective, "Twelve Kingdoms" comes across as the best not only modern Japan can produce today, but the best modern man can produce up to this point.

America has had too long a history of simplistic "good guy" vs "bad guy", partly to get the gullible to consider volunteering for the armed forces, in my opinion. Japan, on the other hand, with such a devastating loss from World War II, has learned to search for ultimate truth through the necessary sufferings of life (ultimate aloneness, the importance of compromise/give and take to survive, etc.), and to teach it to their future generations.

So although it appears that the story is reflecting on issues that are uniquely Japanese, further reflection should reveal to the viewers that the issues "Twelve Kindoms" address are really not too far off from the plight of modern man in general.

And to put it all in the context of a young teenage girl, along with the brilliant artwork and music that many Japanese animae are famous for, is the NHK touch of genius for which the world is grateful.
-Thomas A. DiMattia

5/5 Incredible
  by Addison Bond (Winter Park, FL United States)
This was some of the best story telling I have ever heard or seen in an Anime Series.

There are many small stories and a few larger ones but they are all connected.

The main story ends on the second to last disc of the second season. If you continue to the very last disc of the second season there is a flash back story that was great and not what you'd expect as a lead-out. This story had a good message and I felt wrapped up the collection nicely.

This collection is worth buying if you can follow and enjoy complex stories.