Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)
Vintage:
July 19, 2007
Status:
Completed
Summary:
The story begins in 1629 Shizuoka during Tokugawa Tadanaga's rule. The daimyo staged a tournament where the participants fought with real steel Japanese swords rather than bokken ("wooden sword"), against his vassals' strong objection. The story revolves around the first match between the one-armed swordsman Fujiki Gennosuke and the blind samurai Irako Seigen and deals with the circumstances that led the two to participate in Tokugawa's tournament.
I've always ben a fan of "period" animations, and the animation style is incredible. a very interesting storyline, some deep characters, but a bit rushed.
I became hooked on the first episode, and the promise it showed, then episode 2 was a different "story" with no explanation, after watching the rest of the episodes, it became clear why. however some information that probably should have been given wasnt, and the story seems rushed and incomplete.
it is not a kids anime, and it's not light viewing. although my scores give it "full marks" i was disapointed by the lack of completion, the need for viewer assumptions, and being a bit too short.
a good show, but i thnk it missed the mark, i'd only really give it 3 out of 5. they could have done more with it.