Runes (Alphabet)

Some written information is present in this anime starting with episode 1. Runes are similar to letters. Decoding is based on the inscription on the gravestone of Manato (ep.5 0min:12s). There is the same number of letters and twice used letter “A”. It presumes English (Latin) alphabet is used and letters are directly encoded by some runes.

Most informative episodes for alphabet decoding are views of the job request board in episode 1 (12min:21s), episode 9 (10min:25s). Inscriptions on the posters help to decode most of Latin alphabet because English language is used. Some letters have few runes what happens sometimes in anime. For example letters A D L N are codded with symbols and mirrored symbols.

One can realize that lot of letters are rotated or partially cut-off ordinary Latin letters what simplify guessing about its origin.

Here is screenshot of the poster board and its translation:

English words which can be found:

MANATO, RED, MOON, REWARD, GOLD, WANTED, LYCANTHROPE, UNDEAD, DEADSPOT, GARUDA, VAMPYRE, DULLAHAN, GOLEM, GARGOIL.

Latin (English) to runes:

However some letters cannot be found from English words. Letter “I” can be decoded from handwriting of Manato (ep.3 18min:33s) as well as guessing for letter “K”. But some letters B F J V X Z cannot be find easily and there still no complete match for Latin alphabet and runes of the anime. Punctuation marks also are not known.

There are few important “messages”. One is words “Red Moon” on coins and badges. We can expect the Sky and the Moon in particular have some extraordinary meaning for the physical world of the anime. The second is diary (?) text written by Manato before his death (ep.3 18min:33s). However this text is written in Japanese language at least partially. I am not able to decode it. This text was what made me curios about writing in anime and why I put some efforts to decode it. Very beginning of the handwriting of Manato probably can be translated from Japanese like “In Grimgar!” (Gu_Ri_Mu_Ga_Ru De_No !). Lack of Japanese (it was a surprise when I found Japanese dictionary at home) and absence of spaces between words limits my possibilities to decode present text. There are some language structure problems of handwriting. Few consonant letters are in series what should not be correct for Japanese language. Maybe some runes of handwriting are punctuation marks which can separates consonant letters of words starting and ending with ones, but there are too much mismatches by my view. Better understanding of the Manato text requires better intuition and language perception as mine. Waiting for completion of the runes alphabet and translation of the Manato text by fans community.

Future insight: some prediction regarding future plot of anime possibly can made comparing board content on episode 1 (12min:21s), and episode 12 (17min:58s) where the poster for Deadspot monster is removed. There is missing the poster for Lycanthrope (werewolf) also. Second season could possibly be linked to the remaining monsters: Dullahan (headless knight), Golem (clay made monster), Gorgoil, Garuda (bird-like creature), Undead, Vampyre. Here may be difference comparing to original novel or manga because I suspect anime plot can be of „fight with monster and win“ scenario.

(Sorry for bad English – it is not my native language)