oh well. Perhaps someday, I'll be on time consecutively for a few weeks. But anyway, the reason I was delayed this time, was that when I finally decided what I wanted to review, I wanted to go back and re-watch the entire show. So here's my review for this week.The Hakkenden (Legend of the Dog Warriors) spoilers = light
Fall, 1457, during the time of the Muromachi shoganate. The Satomi clan has experience a large shortage of food and close to starvation. To live, they call upon the nearby Anzai clan for help. The Anzai, instead of sending aid, send an army to attack the Satomi. The Satomi are quickly pushed back to Takita Castle by the Anzai forces, who have been aided by demonic powers.
Every attempt by the Satomi to gain some control in the war has failed, and the entire clan is on the brink of extiction. In his despair, the Satomi lord asks his dog Yatsufusa, if he would like to help save the Satomi. And in jest, he tells Yatsufusa that if he brings him the head of the lord of the Anzai, that he’ll give him anything he wants. Yatsufusa succeeds, saving the clan of the Satomi. Unfortunately, the price that Yatsufusa wants his too high, and abominable. For you see, he wants the hand of Princess Fuse in marriage. And Princess Fuse, knows that it is her duty to fulfill the promise that her father made, so she begrudgingly accepts.
A year later, a man that was have thought to have died in the Satomi-Anzai war, Daisuke, is alive. Upon finding out what has happened to his love, Princess Fuse, he decides to put an end to Yatsufusa and free her from her fate. Unfortunately, when he fires his weapon, he not only strikes down Yatsufusa, but also Princess Fuse as well. Within her, Princess Fuse knows that there is a dark spirit that is trying to consume the spirits of the eight half-breed men that have been conceived. In her final moment, instead of allowing her children to be consumed, she slices herself open, freeing them into the heavens.
These eight children are then reincarnated, and they will assume the mantle of destiny that will call them to become legendary warriors. Enter the Hakkenden.
So, yes. It is a little bit strange. But to me, it’s a very, very mythological beginning to this wonderful story. This series, to me is the best samurai anime to have been produced. It has one of the best scripts for a anime series that I’ve seen, filled with adventure, joy, sadness, symbolism, and a human element that is very seldom seen. This script, is supported by the wonderful scenery of feudal-Japan, and the amazing culture found therein. And what would a anime about legendary warriors be like without great action? Well let me tell you, this series sports some very well done action scenes. From fights with monstrous beings to clash of swords, it’s all very well done. It’s all also supported by a wonderful musical score, that while mainly mellow, still enhances the overall viewing experience that is The Hakkenden.
Unfortunately, this great series isn’t without it’s faults. The biggest thing is the animation. Parts of it are truely great, but then others are just awful. Like in certain places, they just seem to drop the ball and the style changes (like in the first episode, for a brief moment, one of the character’s faces becomes very cartoony, like a face you might expect to see in something like Samurai Jack). And to make matters worse with it, one entire episode towards the end of the series just looks downright awful. It’s so bad, that it’s hard to pay attention too, which is especially bad do to how important the events of that episode are. This is truely the only thing that I can find wrong with the show, and it can mainly be ignored due to how well done the rest of the show is.
So if you’re a big fan of samurai/feudal-Japanese anime, or even if you’re not, this is definitely recommended for all of you to see. And overall, I’m going to give The Hakkenden 4.5 out of 5 stars, it’s a very beautiful show, and personally, it’s my favorite anime samurai epic, and is truely an animated classic.