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Kazemakase Tsukikage Ran
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Animation - 8.5 |
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Sound - 8.0 |
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Story - 6.5 |
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Character - 7.9 |
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Value - 7.6 |
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Enjoyment - 8.4 |
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Average - 7.8 |
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andy |
(2009-09-25 19:37:16) 2009-09-25 19:25:25 |
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Leaving life to the wind perfectly describes Kazemakase Tsukikage Ran. The series follows the traveling swordswoman, Ran, and her partner Meow (or more likely, Miao) as they move from town to town, stumbling upon troubles and fortunes at the whims of fate and coincidence.
Story & Characters
There isn't a semblance of a central plot, it's not particularly dramatic and its episodes are a bit formulaic. Perhaps it is this simple, and gentle approach to story telling which forgoes the dramatic and melodramatic that makes this series so easy to enjoy. It's safe; you know what to expect, and no pretentious philosophy lessons or painful corny moments pop up to ruin the action-comedy in its simplest form. Of course the trade off is that the episodes become quite predictable, but the characters are amusing enough to make their light-hearted adventures enjoyable despite that fact.
Both Ran and Miao are foolish in their own ways. Miao is quite simply dense. She's often flattered by Ran's thinly veiled, backhanded compliments. Ran on the other hand, is blunt to the point of tactlessness. She doesn't give due respect to anyone except inn managers, and only because they bring her sake. Alcohol is her one worldly desire, and it's a fervid desire at that. Her laid back nature and simple wants hide her incredible skill with the sword, but unlike similar characters in Kenshin or Vash, Ran isn't much of a hero. Her laissez faire attitude extends to her morals as well. She'll punish wrongdoings, but only if it takes place in front of her eyes, and the way she passes off desperate pleas demonstrates her "out of sight, out of mind" stance regarding justice. The formula the episodes settle on play off these character flaws. Miao will help anyone with a decent sob story while Ran refuses and looks for alcohol instead. They separate; Miao eventually realizes she's bitten off more than she can chew and Ran will come to the rescue, possibly because she can no longer let whatever evil was taking place slide, but more likely because she ran out of sake money and needs a loan from Miao.
The humor is similarly repetitive; playing mostly off Miao's idiocy and Ran's social impropriety. With only 13 episodes, it manages to scrape by without getting old. The ills of society Miao and Ran stumble upon, from drug dealing, extortion, swindling, amongst others, create enough variety in both situational humor and plot to keep the series somewhat fresh. I wouldn't recommend marathoning Tsukikage Ran though.
Animation & Music:
The 70's Asian pop opening and endings along with its 80's, Rumiko Takahashi look hides its age well. I did a double take when I read it was made in 2000.
Ran's bouts are fast and concise (at times to the point of being anticlimactic), not particularly well animated, but at the very least, fully animated, with no still screens or cut outs. While most of the characters wield the Katana with two hands, Ran only uses one, hacking with it like a machete. It's a nice fit to her unorthodox nature, and her dislike of Samurai. Miao fights hand to hand, but her martial looks look awkward at best, ridiculous at worst, though still commendable for being fully animated.
The music is a complete throw back. Not only the OP and ED, but also the regular BGM's, many of which even sound like they were recorded in old studios. They bear that slight fuzziness in the higher notes that typical of older recordings. To go to that extent for its classic appeal is impressive.
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Watching too much Tsukikage Ran at once will exacerbate its repetitive nature. On a sparing watch schedule, Tsukikage Ran is action comedy distilled to its purest form. There are no fetish characters, no social-political comments, just some nice good-guy vs. bad-guy action dealt by a classic boke tsukommi comedy duo.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| There's something wonderfully relaxing in Tsukikage Ran. Where Ran leaves it to the wind, the viewer can leave it to series to bring the mood of old Japan to his/hers room with wacky humor and good action.
There are two strong points for the series: the setting and the main duo. I don't know about realism of the feodal Japan the series depicts but it feels very much alive. In a series like Rurouni Kenshin, it sometimes feels that the world is there only so there would be a setting for a great adventure. For Tsukikage Ran the world is the adventure and Ran and Meow are the ones caught in it.
Ran is a rather fascinating character. As nauXolo says below, putting a woman into the role of a laidback drifter has merit. Almost everything what happens in the series could be made as well with men but the series would lose a part of its charm. It's Ran's mysterious attitude with her skills (she isn't afraid of few bodies if the situation requires it) that makes her interesting and her lust for sake that makes her human. The hyperactive martial artist Meow balances Ran's coolness well. Her antics force Ran to react and make a lot of series' humor. Apart from few glimpses their past remains a mystery and there's no real development. Just the same reactions in every episode. There's only one episode that puts Meow through some strong, serious emotions and even when it doesn't fit the rest of the series well, the episode is well made and proves that you could make other kinds of things with these characters.
Storywise the series repeats itself. The duo has a problem (empty wallet and stomach), they stumble into some other problem and after a little stalling do the right thing. Luckily the themes around which the good guys-villains carousel revolves, are varied if repetitive. You got tragic families, kidnappers, sake swindlers, childhood friends, European giants... almost everything. Nice for 13 episodes.
As the series has also fluid animation and nice backgrounds of feodal Japan and old-fashioned music boosted with nice opening and ending songs of something else than your average jpop, it's hard not to recommend to watch Tsukikage Ran for an experience in ancient Japan.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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nauXolo |
(2006-10-17 18:14:38) 2006-02-19 17:19:43 |
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| I was totally hooked after hearing the old-style introduction music of this anime. So I thought I would give this anime a try. The first episode was a delight - nice sword fights, a very typical mysterious samurai character who doesn't care about anything, female! interesting turn of events. Anyway, my FIRST worry after watching the first two episodes was "Would this turn out to be too much like Ninja Scroll the TV series?" full of typical boring samurai stereotypical characters and lack of any real humor or tangible plot. To some, it might feel like that to you. But I think the fact that these two polar opposites don't have a flowing story prevents it from going down the path of Ninja Scroll TV series.
The babyish and totally hyper Myao-onesan and the chill and Tsukikage Ran who hunts sake all day long makes an interesting pair. One of the appealing parts of this anime is the samurai context that it takes place in. I really like wandering samurai themes, and the comic aspect that they took is pretty well done. Good strong central characters that remain fairly consistant throughout, revealing a little more about them at a time. Interesting side stories, catchy music, and great fight scenes; worth watching during any mood.
There were many times when I just yelled "smack down!!!". Ran is just a human bulldozer. If you don't particularly like the humor in this anime, just watching her mow down tons of people and smack down people's wives is worth watching alone. If only there was some more realistic blood in this series. It makes deaths kind of odd in that sense.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
4 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| A cool little series to watch in between the longer sagas of samurai series. If you like the action in Kenshin, you will definitely enjoy the action scenes in this series as well, which was animated very well.
The two main characters make for the best crime fighting duo, Ran and Myao. Ran is the quiet, reserved Samurai who will turn hyper at the mentioning of sake. Myao is my favoirte character in this show. She is energetic and her Cat Fist Fighting Style is very amusing and cool. She is the main source of comic relief in this short series.
In terms of the comedy, this show relies on the funny expressions the characters make although nothing of the sort of witty humor, it is still quite funny sometimes. As long as Myao is around, there won't be a dull moment. But the scenes with only Ran was rather boring though. Since Ran doesn't serve as the comic relief and has no particular interesting philosophy of her own, it felt rather lacking to have her be the main character of the show.
The unique aspect is that most of the time, these two travelers never travel together on their journey. However, every episode, they will inevitably meet up with each other somehow...(Myao being the one to create the trouble usually, :)
The music was rather forgettable, but I give them points for being true to the Japanese samurai traditional musical background, which suited this anime well.
It's a shame this show was plagued with some slow and bad episodes despite the few amount eps present already...(Out of 12, only 9 were my favorites)
Overall, a good watch but probably not something that you will watch over and over again.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| It's a story about a female samurai who loves sake... errr... she is obsessed with sake, I don't recall a single episode where Ran doesn't have a gulp of sake, and female sidekick that wants to prove her meow iron fist is the strongest in the land.
At first I was skeptical such a series, especially a series as short as this 13 eps could which is action comedy could be entertaining, well to my surprise I was wrong it was great, the ending left... well lots of plot holes but the seamless exploits of these odd couples and of course sake content, makes up for it.
I don't really like sake myself, but I enjoyed this series and I think you will as well.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
7.8 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| If I wanted to sum this up in one word, that word would be; pleasant ^_^
There was nothing overly exciting about Tsukikage Ran, but I enjoyed watching it. It's one of those anime you can sit and relax to, it doesn't require you to think, or to cry and it doesn't get your blood boiling, but none-the-less, it was a fun thing to watch.
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Eve |
(2005-10-14 01:19:33) 2005-09-03 22:01:00 |
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| This series is light-hearted, enjoyable and requires no thought, introspection or any stretch of imagination. It’s an action-comedy and if you go in expecting action and comedy, you won’t be disappointed. However, if you were expecting drama, strong character development and a plot that actually went somewhere, I wouldn’t recommend watching this piece. There really isn’t anything new, innovative or surprising about this show, it’s more of a diversion or a mood-lifter when you’re feeling down.
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Ric |
(2009-07-26 05:09:13) 2005-01-15 01:03:41 |
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| Average |
6.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| This was a really good series. It has great animation, music, and voice acting. And t even though only 2 characters were seen in more than 1 episode they are very well developed. Not really a story to speak, each episode brings a new conflict. It didnt hurt the series that much in my opinion though. Because it didnt really need a plot for it to work. Tsukikage Ran was a great action/comedy. But it would have been nice to see a plotline that lasted for more than 1 episode. It was really funny and the sword/martial arts action scenes are done better than in any other show like this ive seen. I would have liked to see more than 13 episodes though, I didnt think that was enough. At the end I was left wanting more.
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Poom |
(2004-08-07 22:02:18) 2004-08-07 21:56:48 |
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| This anime really nice. The action scenes was great, no blood to cut down the rating. Also, the sword/martial art fighting scenes is really good. Unlike other samurai anime, this one didn't had any climax/tense feeling at all when it come to wide a sword or even killing someone. It will made you feel the flow of the sword movement, taking you to the new level of sword fighting scenes. Music in the anime will gave you breezy feeling, and made you like you sitting under a tree on a good summer day. What a nice feeling that is. The character is not that bad, voice match every character very well. Too bad there no real story here, they just hopping from town to town, fight for justice, then left the town like herione who just save the world :P Even thou the story is not complete, that is fine in this series.. which really don't need a ending. The good feeling that left you after you done watched this series will make you in a good mood with a 'nice' 'smooth' feeling, you'll never forgot it for sometime.
Recommence watch it on the sunny day, it will made you feel the animation in the place/nature of the anime. :)
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Kainy |
2004-08-07 01:15:29 |
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| Average |
8.5 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Kazemakaze Tsukikage Ran is a great anime in a lot of ways. All the fight scenes are intense, fast paced, well animated, and the camera angles are superb. I believe that sometimes, it's fun to watch a badass smite cocky people, and Ran does this in nearly every episode. Myao is excellent comic relief, and watching her fight is pretty exciting as well.
This anime is, simply, fun to watch. I watched it in one sitting, after renting the first DVD and then buying the boxless set. It was definitely worth my $40, and I would recomment that pretty much everyone buy it.
However...
Nothing changes, for the most part, in the entire series. It's extremely episodic, with Ran and Myao moving on at the end of every episode. Myao's past is elaborated on somewhat, but Ran's is only hinted at slightly. Neither character really changes by the end, and the episode with the European girl is difficult to sit through. I recommend skipping it, it's episode number 10. So while it's fun to watch, the characters don't grow through the series, noticeably, and toward the end, as this becomes apparent, you could get turned off with the series.
Overall, though, it's a very good watch (except episode 10), and worth at the very least renting.
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| Average |
5.5 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
5 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
| Despite well animated sword fights (which last 10-20 seconds), KTR is episodic and features mostly redundant and cliche humor. Watching two broads stagger around while getting shitfaced is funny for about 2 episodes. Despite the potential behind the characters, neither they or the story go anyway. So much so that it becomes an effort to continue watching. Thats never a good thing.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Inert |
2004-03-22 09:15:38 |
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| This is a really fun lighthearted series. Each episode is a mini-story, which I think is good for a series of this nature. Some people will want more depth to the characters and development but I love this anime for what it is. A well-rounded, quite enjoyable look at the life of a female ronin, and her crazy/goofy/zany comrade. The fights are really well made and are not like one big over-production, which gives them a bit of realism. Great animation, and the opening/closing audio tracks have a 1950's vibe to them. Overall, check this series out if you want something carefree to watch.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.5 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| A great samurai-series with lots of tolerable comedy. And sake, sake. Kazemakaze Tsukikage Ran introduces some very questionable, though hilarious, stereotypes.
Only things worth complaining about this series are episode-based storyline and shallow characters. The small stories are good, but I wouldn't have mind if there would have been some more longer stories included in the series. There are 2 main characters so I would have appreciated if they would have given loads of details of them. Which they didn't. But the characters don't suck, actually they work pretty well. And the atmosphere is always comfortable and carefree with these guys. Because there's a samurai, there must also be some wise, moral lessons.
The outlook is awesome. The brawls are very well animated, really surprised me in a positive way. Though there are a lot of slashing, it's no gorefest. I recall only one particular scene where blood could be seen. It was used to boost the emotional effect, and it even worked.
Background music is nice. Shamisen and stuff.. I guess. Nothing to complain about opening or ending theme songs either. They have a bit different feel in them than in other series I've seen lately.
I like samurai-stuff (I'm not fanatic or anything, I just prefer) in general so the rate might be a bit high. Comedy, beautiful action, katanas and a little bit original stories. All I need for good entertainment. Nothing deep, just entertainment.
I wonder why there's so few reviews for this one. It is a good series. For real.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Tsukikage Ran is a parody of the samurai drama's set in the Edo period of japan. The story chronicles Ran and Meow-chan's travels as they wander from town to town inadvertently solving people's problems. The music, especialy during the fighting has a great 70's feel to it. The animation is great, and has some of the most highly detailed and coreographed fighting sequences ive seen.
This might not be for everyone, but I loved it.
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De Baer |
(2005-02-03 05:45:24) 2004-02-04 19:13:16 |
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| Average |
7.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Ein ziemlich chilliger und heiterer Anime der im Großen und Ganzen nett anzuschauen ist und trotz gänzlich fehlender Story oder Charakterdevelopement den Unterhaltungspegel aufrecht erhalten kann. Dennoch ist es schade das KTR keinen festen Storyverlauf spendiert bekommen hat, das hätte die Serie sicher noch um einiges besser darstehen lassen können. So bleibt ein Anime der in keiner Weise besonders hervorsticht und ohne Höhepunkte verläuft aber dank sympathischer Charaktere und Atmosphäre für Zwischendurch gut geeignet ist.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Some of the most fluid and goodlooking fights I've ever seen. They're simply mesmerizing to watch. I saw the english-dubbed version of it, but the voiceactors was very good, and the sound in general is also close to perfect. The story is worthless, but all the other elements work up for it. The characters doesn't delevop much, so I can't give them a higher score than 7.. Overall, it's still worthy to watch. More than worthy.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Have you ever felt like just sitting back and enjoy light hearted comedy? Kazemakaze Tsukikage Ran is the perfect series for such occasion! There is really no story, but that can be forgiven. Character designs are extremely well done, don't you just love those exaggerated old Japanese look? Overall feel of this series is very relaxed and easy going. I do have problem with this only being 13 episodes, because I think they could have extended it with same episodic chapters of our heroine's adventure! Give this one a try and do not expect any intricate plots or intense character relationships.
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Yakikorosu |
(2003-09-03 01:03:34) 2003-09-03 01:03:12 |
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| A lighthearted samurai show (yes, that's right) that manages to remain very enjoyable despite an almost complete absence of plot and character development.
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Well-characterized, feminist, and thoroughly entertaining. It's like crossing Sanjuro with Xena. All it needs is Kansai-Ben.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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|
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| The opening intro starts with a well done sword fight and you might think this is some sort of action anime. While there is plenty of action I think the strength of the show is in the comedy. Ran and Miao have a abbott and costello feel about them and the stories are interesting enough to keep you watching. Well done parody of the wandering samurai genre.
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