I've followed Witch Hunter Robin for some time now, and talking with fans, it
seems that one of the big mysteries of the series is exactly what time it takes
place. We were sure it was set in the near future or the present; we just didn't
know the exact time.
But I believe I've finally found the answer. I was watching the DVD when I
spotted something in Episode 16, "Heal the Pain" (spoiler!). In this
episode, Robin is adjusting to her new and temporary identity as a courier for
Nagira. When she gets to her destination, she's talking to this woman at the
counter, and the woman hands her what looks like a receipt or something. I saw
some numbers, paused the scene, and took note. It said "12/2/2056". It
was written in the Japanese style of dating (day/month/year), so it'd actually
be written as "2/12/2056", February 12th 2056. It was two months prior
to this that Robin first arrived at the STN-J, so WHR takes place in the winter
of 2055-2056.
If you own the WHR "Fugitive" DVD, look at that scene closely and
you'll see what I mean.
WOW! How precise! I remember that episode, but I never paid attention to the
contents of the receipt, although back in wikipedia I read that they are some
side evidences about this anime in most unlikely places. I don't know if you
already know this but I read that somewhere during the anime, there was a letter
from Robin, about how she felt and loved Amon! In Ziezan's monitor! He was
reading her notes!
Can you believe that? Who knew you can find a peice of love evidence IN Zeizan's
monitor?!
I've got to watch this anime again! Maybe I can find more information that has
been left unanswered. Thanks for the info!
Yeah, I noticed that, too! And in the same episode, above the note, there's
something like, "Am I Joan of Arc? No, I am Robin." I'm not trying to
read TOO much into this, but Joan of Arc was burned as a witch...I wonder if
there's a connection...
Anyway, you see a lot of weird stuff. I have the complete collection, but I'm
STILL not sure I've seen everything that could be seen. Another little fun fact:
at the start of Ep. 2, when Karasuma and Amon look at the 1st victim's ID, it
says the man is from "Anime-Town". O.o
Am I a person?
Or am I a Witch?
...No. I am Robin.
Witches are the new mankind. People are the oldman.
People hate witches and Witches hate people.
Can't we just love each other?
Am I "Joan of Arc"?
No. I am not. I love Amon.
I believe we can understand each other.
I can fight, because I believe.
It might have connection, but then again if you look at her later answer to the
question, you see no connections at all!
Am I " Joan of Arc"?
No. I am not. I love Amon.
What does her love for Amon has to do with her being-Joan-of-Arc?! What is the
connection? Could She declining to be Joan-of-Arc coz Joan never fell in love
with a man?!
I didn't mean a connection to their relationship, per se; just a hint to the
plot as a whole, but I do get your point. Looking at it from a geographical
standpoint, it doesn't make sense either. Joan of Arc was mainly in France, and
Robin came from Italy.
Oh well. Can't make ourselves too crazy, but it's nice to speculate...
I've followed Witch Hunter Robin for some time now, and talking with fans, it seems that one of the big mysteries of the series is exactly what time it takes place. We were sure it was set in the near future or the present; we just didn't know the exact time.
But I believe I've finally found the answer. I was watching the DVD when I spotted something in Episode 16, "Heal the Pain" (spoiler!). In this episode, Robin is adjusting to her new and temporary identity as a courier for Nagira. When she gets to her destination, she's talking to this woman at the counter, and the woman hands her what looks like a receipt or something. I saw some numbers, paused the scene, and took note. It said "12/2/2056". It was written in the Japanese style of dating (day/month/year), so it'd actually be written as "2/12/2056", February 12th 2056. It was two months prior to this that Robin first arrived at the STN-J, so WHR takes place in the winter of 2055-2056.
If you own the WHR "Fugitive" DVD, look at that scene closely and you'll see what I mean.
What a great discovery u did, iamrobinsena! I'm impressed that the anime was placed so much time in the future. Thanks for the info.
WOW! How precise! I remember that episode, but I never paid attention to the contents of the receipt, although back in wikipedia I read that they are some side evidences about this anime in most unlikely places. I don't know if you already know this but I read that somewhere during the anime, there was a letter from Robin, about how she felt and loved Amon! In Ziezan's monitor! He was reading her notes!
Can you believe that? Who knew you can find a peice of love evidence IN Zeizan's monitor?!
I've got to watch this anime again! Maybe I can find more information that has been left unanswered.
Thanks for the info! 
Yeah, I noticed that, too! And in the same episode, above the note, there's something like, "Am I Joan of Arc? No, I am Robin." I'm not trying to read TOO much into this, but Joan of Arc was burned as a witch...I wonder if there's a connection...
Anyway, you see a lot of weird stuff. I have the complete collection, but I'm STILL not sure I've seen everything that could be seen. Another little fun fact: at the start of Ep. 2, when Karasuma and Amon look at the 1st victim's ID, it says the man is from "Anime-Town". O.o
Am I a person?
Or am I a Witch?
...No. I am Robin.
Witches are the new mankind. People are the oldman.
People hate witches and Witches hate people.
Can't we just love each other?
Am I "Joan of Arc"?
No. I am not. I love Amon.
I believe we can understand each other.
I can fight, because I believe.
It might have connection, but then again if you look at her later answer to the question, you see no connections at all!
Am I " Joan of Arc"?
No. I am not. I love Amon.
What does her love for Amon has to do with her being-Joan-of-Arc?! What is the connection? Could She declining to be Joan-of-Arc coz Joan never fell in love with a man?!
I didn't mean a connection to their relationship, per se; just a hint to the plot as a whole, but I do get your point. Looking at it from a geographical standpoint, it doesn't make sense either. Joan of Arc was mainly in France, and Robin came from Italy.
Oh well. Can't make ourselves too crazy, but it's nice to speculate...