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Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
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Animation - 8.3 |
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Sound - 8.3 |
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Story - 8.0 |
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Character - 7.4 |
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Value - 7.6 |
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Enjoyment - 8.0 |
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Average - 7.9 |
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Knowname |
(2009-08-19 10:55:43) 2009-02-08 01:42:20 |
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| Average |
8.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| I met some long words in my day (like humuhumunukunukuapua'a and kealakekua), but that has got to be the most insane sequence of them :x. Gotta respect that.
Anyways I just finished this 2006 anime and my final judgement is... meh pretty good. I actually really like it! BUT it's one of those REALLY 'technical' animes. Actually what it is is hardcore historical fiction. Take part Berzerk and add in some Risk... it's actually JUST like (and takes place in the same period as) the live action move, The Last Samurai... maybe Samurai Shamploo with a bit more of a European presence, and war.
Anyway only reason why I don't quit suggest it is cuz you have to read a bunch :/ and the subtitles only stay on for so long so... it took me a bit to figure out what was going on. I don't know if it was the brutal learning curve (they use the japanese calendar rather than the christian calendar... which is something I should expect here anyway) or the fictitious plot mixed in with voodoo/ budhist magic, but it took me half the series just to get into it! But let me tell you, once I did, I fell hard! Whoever did the music for this series deserves a medal!! They did great! Sounds alot like Madlax/ Noir music, very folklore, very magical ;p. I want this OST. *on second look, it IS the same ppl that do Madlax/ Noir and El Cazador...
*I noticed that a few reviewed this anime halfway through, if not less... I personally can't see how anybody could like this like that. By the fourteenth episodes *I* was about ready to perform seppuku myself!!! Gotta agree with the one who said it's MUCH too documentary. But I held on and glad I did. Call me weak but it's got a romantic story that could intrigue a ROCK imo. It's too bad they didn't really get into it until the later episodes, but it's quite good. Just try not to fall asleep for the first 14.
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fnord |
2009-02-04 21:35:48 |
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| Average |
7.7 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| BKI, a show trying to blend Japan's history around the Meiji reformation with fictional and fantastical content.
Animation:
Very strong fight scenes, but uses every trick in the book during slower scenes to save on the budget. Mostly a positive impression.
Sound:
The VAs are not memorable; in fact, I don't remember my own opinion of them. At least they don't seem to have been annoying. The music is decently atmospheric, but does not manage to be a strong point on its own. The OP is good, the ED isn't.
Story:
This category is highly subjective, in this show more than in most others. Since the basic plot is exclusively based on actual history with only minor aspects and the ending being filled by fiction, the story does not go in the sense that fiction is normally supposed to go. There are no twists to keep the viewer guessing, so even viewers unacquainted with the history of Japan will see the general story progression from a mile away. What the show tries is to merge history and its own fiction into a sort of alternate reality by using what is known of history as a backdrop. In my opinion, it succeeds in this. What I find fascinating about history is preserved in spirit in this show through its intersecting lines of 'fate' (or chance, that's a matter of discussion) worming their way down time. Of course, it tries to adjust history to the environment of a fictional series by making cuts story-wise after episodes and having identifiable villains instead of a huge, grey cast. These measure detracted from the viewing experience for me, which is one of the reasons for a nine and not a ten (the other being those british commandos). Likewise, the intrigues by the head of the british mission are too far-fetched for my taste. He was known to be a twat, but not to the degree that he is being portrayed.
Characters:
In short: weak. There is really no way to circumvent this judgment. The characters are shallow, even the fictional ones with which the writers had complete freedom, and are probably part of the reason the VAs have a tough time voicing their characters. Beyond their actions, we see nothing whatsoever of the characters beliefs, and what we see of their motivations is usually less than the minimum.
Value:
I will, without doubt, rewatch this show. Perhaps even soon, I thought about it a while ago. The subs I watched were good and featured historical notes at the end of the episode (just as in Ergo Proxy) but mostly I didn't need those. After the second time around, though, I think it will take a long and perhaps indefinite timeframe until I will do so again.
Enjoyment:
I, personally, loved this show. I'm hesitant to recommend it though, since it doesn't have a plot style that appeals to most people (as I have found out by reading reviews about it and from the feedback of the recommendations I made). Since my enjoyment of BKI is closely tied to my enjoyment of history in general, I'm unsure just what kind of people this show appeals to. If you find history (plain history, no feature film or something) boring and dull, then this show is clearly not for you. This is *not* primarily an action show or a fantasy show. However, I do think that its execution of blending the historical and the fantastical is well done, and the show mimicks the flow of history in large parts. In this lies the greatest merit of BKI for me.
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| Average |
5.8 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| I watched this anime with high hopes that this would be something good. But I was sorely dissapointed.
It has alot of potential - samurais in the Bakumatsu era, a dangerous-looking lead and some interesting characters, a supernatural theme, and a interesting plot.
However this anime failed because it focused too much on the historical acuracy and explainations of this period. Half the time watching this anime felt more like watching a documentary! It detracts from the main storyline and characters.
Despite having a poster showing a samurai with a katana, there was barely any action. I expected some deadly and serious sword fights and action scenes in this anime. But there were hardly any. It seemed to be that the makers were lazy to do any fight scenes. And the fight scenes that were present were really half-assed efforts.
There was also not enough character development. The main character - although lookin really cool, is as interesting as a loaf of bread. He rarely talks, and there wasn't much history or dwelling into his personality. Once again, I believe the makers focused too much on explaining the history of Japan rather than on character and story development.
The animation is good - but not great, and the sound is average.
I really believe (and still do) that the character and story has alot of potential. But it was just screwed up by makers who believed they were making an animated documentary while they were supposed to be doing an action-samurai!
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
6.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
5 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
5 |
| Based on 12 episodes:
BKI is a bit too historic for my tastes. After 12 episodes, I found this anime to focus too much on historical events, and not enough on the fictional part of the story. In fact, I wasn't entirely clear on which was the 'side story' - the history events with the shogunate or last days of samurai era or the supernatural story with the hunt for the evil skull...
BKI consists of three storylines. 1) The history of Japan 2) Kyojirou's hunt for the skull 3) The re-telling of all these events through a traveling troupe of actors. So far, after 12 episodes, there are almost no memorable moments. Except for the very intense and well choreographed gun vs sword fight around episode 9, I almost fell asleep in all the other episodes. There's just too many political dealings for my taste, too many shadows lurking in the dark that supposedly led to the downfall of Japan, etc etc. To make things worse, there really isn't a fluid storyline for the hunt for the skull. There is a huge story gap between the first arc and the second arc. that almost had me confused. In general, the story just doesn't grip you enough to warrant a serious watch.
The characters are plain and flat. The main character has no personality and no reason for his actions. He doesn't have a good reason for his hunt for the skull. After 12 episodes, I just don't know anything about this main character. Also, they keep showing the leader of the troupe in the OP and the intermission breaks as the secondary side character. However, they never really delve into her storyline. What about the author/playwright/swordsman with the secret agenda for the head? He's very mysterious, but again... not enough action to warrant a serious look at his character. What about the bad evil guy? Uhm... all I can say is 'wtf' because a guy who always comes back to life after you kill him is very uninteresting.
Anyway, BKI is a huge disappointment. I was impressed with its initial atmosphere, its nice animation, and huge potential for story. However, in the end, I gave up despite all my efforts in trying to give it a chance to pick up. There's just nothing here worth noting.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.7 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| This is one powerful history anime which does not bore you. It takes a lot of understanding of Bakumatsu to understand what is going on as the main story is a naration, but what is shown is a side story which is the action anime and neo story line.
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cuauhtle |
(2008-01-13 15:37:58) 2007-05-17 02:48:16 |
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| Average |
7.8 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| If you are interested in the topic: Latest years of Shogunate & Samurai, do not miss this one.
Animation:
Fighting scenes were really realistic and estetic. But do not expect to see so many fighting scenes, since its subject is mostly history . But animation in general is
really high level. The drawings of those nice Katana and clothing exactly mirrors you the Samurai era.
Sound:
Opening (Kouya Ruten-FinctionJunction YUUKA) and Closing (Ai No Tsurugi) themes really fit the anime. I especially loved the opening music; its video has also the spirit.
Story:
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto tells us the final years of Shogunate by adding in some mystic objects. Akidzuki is a samurai whose mission is to seal "Lord's Head" which brings evil to world. Well, this way the story is a bit more exciting, a supernatural samurai fights supernatural existance. Therefore, actually you needn't be a Japanese History fan to watch this series.
Character:
Akidzuki, Yuyama and other Samurai characters are really unique. Especially the main character, Akidzuki and Hijikata are really cool but could have been developed more.
Value:
There are so many historical objects and characters so it is natural to miss some details. Due to this fact if i have time i may watch again. But i won't say that i can't wait to get over it again.
About subtitles, Shinsen-Subs is the group that subs the anime; in my opinion they really did a perfect job.
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| Average |
9.8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| A must-see anime for people who enjoy anime about the Bakumatsu era with a stong dose of fantasy. Or if you just like good looking guys. The women are ok too.
Quite artistic with a little bit of skin service from both; tastefully done. It will not offend anybody, except those that don't want to see flying skulls.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| watched up to Ep 5
Animation is very good and up to that of a 2006 Anime. Nice landscapes, good color blend, nead drawing, smooth animation and rich set of character faces.
Sound : pretty well matched to this anime. fair intro/ ending, fairsoundtrack, good sound effects
Story : seems quite deep but I haven't fully encompassed the plot yet. There are many question marks around the role of the british and how they are used by dark forces. there is quite a lot of mystery with the main character, who has a somewhat of a bored but serious Ruroni Kenshin.
Character : good breadth within the caracter sets. Most Characters display some independance of thought. We slowly discover some of their past. very fair
Value : difficult to tell yet. should be just above decency. there was a lot of work in this anime thought.
Enjoyment : fair but not breathtaking. I am looking forward to the next eps. but i think the drama level could be even more heightened.
This anime is a fair allrounder that deserves some attention. I will certainly follow up
En
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0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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