"A brutal subversion of fantasy tropes that trades magical wonder for a sobering examination of human cruelty and resilience."
Akitaro Daichi’s 1999 masterpiece, Now and Then, Here and There, remains one of the most harrowing entries in the history of the WOWOW satellite network. By subverting the typical tropes of the isekai genre, the series abandons escapism to confront the grim realities of militarism, water scarcity, and the loss of innocence. The protagonist, Shu, is thrust into a desert world ruled by the despotic King Hamdo, where children are forced into brutal combat. Its legacy is defined by its refusal to look away from the consequences of totalitarianism. Decades later, the show stands as a stark warning against ideological extremism, solidified by its haunting score and a narrative depth that challenges the viewer's emotional endurance long after the final credits roll.
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Oct 14, 1999 | 黄昏を見つめる少女 | |
| E2 | Oct 21, 1999 | 少年と狂王と | |
| E3 | Oct 28, 1999 | 闇の中の宴 | |
| E4 | Nov 04, 1999 | 不協和音 | |
| E5 | Nov 11, 1999 | ひとごろし | |
| E6 | Nov 18, 1999 | 砂嵐が消える | |
| E7 | Nov 25, 1999 | 逃れの夜 | |
| E8 | Dec 02, 1999 | ひとりぼっちのふたり | |
| E9 | Dec 09, 1999 | 狭間にて | |
| E10 | Dec 16, 1999 | 混沌への助走 | |
| E11 | Jan 06, 2000 | 崩壊前夜 | |
| E12 | Jan 13, 2000 | 殺戮の大地 | |
| E13 | Jan 20, 2000 | 今、そこにいる僕 |
Franchise Status: The series remains a standalone production with no current plans for sequels or reboots, preserved as a complete narrative work.
Now and Then, Here and There remains a definitive pillar of isekai television, having concluded its influential run on WOWOW. This harrowing series subverted the tropes of the portal fantasy genre by replacing wonder with a brutal examination of child soldiers and environmental collapse. Its legacy is defined by its refusal to sanitize the consequences of totalitarianism, forcing viewers to confront the harsh realities of war through the eyes of a protagonist whose only weapon is his unyielding persistence.
The show remains a rewatch staple because its themes of resource scarcity and the loss of innocence have only become more relevant in contemporary discourse. Its haunting score and stark visual direction create an atmosphere that stays with the audience long after the final episode. By prioritizing emotional honesty over escapist tropes, it secured its place as a cult classic that continues to challenge the moral boundaries of animated storytelling.