Year: 2007

Status: Complete, Unlicensed

Subbed by: Huzzah and Doremi Fansubs

Bamboo Blade Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Great

Kojirou, the kendo instructor at Muroe High, is forever broke. Barely having any money for food and necessities, Kojirou is desperate to make ends meet. An opportunity presents itself one night while amidst having dinner with his Senpai, the two agree on a bet to see whose all-female Kendo team is the strongest. If Kojirou wins, he gets a year long supply of free sushi. In pursuit of his free sushi, Kojirou finally takes the club seriously, and goes on a mission to recruit new members and revive the school’s run-down Kendo Club. Bamboo Blade is about a bunch of eccentric students under an equally unusual teacher who embark on a journey that makes them discover the joy of Kendo.

Bamboo Blade is a wonderful slice-of-life sport anime filled with comedy. It maintains its lightheartedness throughout the series and really makes you want to take up Kendo! While it begins with Kojirou’s bet being the primary storyline, it quickly changes to being more about the development of the characters themselves. Many of the Kendo matches can be quite absorbing as team Muroe get more and more skilled. As time passes, the Kendo team at Muroe becomes an endearing and close-knit bunch despite the oddities in their personalities. Overall, I loved watching Bamboo Blade and can’t wait to watch the remaining episodes. Its got the right mix of comedy, action, character development and slice-of-life feel to get away from the seriousness of life and just have a good laugh while identifying with the characters.

Check out:

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi : Kenichi maintains the same humour as Bamboo Blade but focuses on the martial arts training of Kenichi rather than a team.

Overdrive : A heavy sports anime not quite as lighthearted as Bamboo Blade but still an intensely absorbing anime.

Year: 2004

Status: Complete, Licensed by Media Blasters

Shura no Toki Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Alright

Review: “Legend has it that since the Heian era they practiced an unarmed martial art. They walked the path of the undefeated. And were known as the Shura. Their martial-art was called Mutsu Enmei-ryuu.” (The opening lines of the episodes). Shura no Toki, or Age of the Shura is about the legendary Mutsu Enmei-ryuu – the unarmed art that was undefeated even by the greatest fighters in history. This anime traces the journeys of three generations of those carrying the Mutsu clan name – Mutsu Yakumo, Mutsu Takato and Mutsu Izumi. It begins in the Heian era and leads up all the way through the Bakumatsu. Each of them fight some of the greatest swordsmen in history including Miyamoto Musashi and Sakamoto Ryouma. Their journey is about how they face their opponents and whether the legendary Mutsu can really stand up unarmed against the art of the sword.

Shura no Toki is an interesting anime due to the mix of history along with the fictional Mutsu clan. Particularly so with Mutsu Izumi, the anime shows the effect these legendary fighters have had on history. The action itself is very intense and personally I like Mutsu Yakumo’s big fight the best! I also like how we can see the progression of history from the stability of the shogunate to the chaos of the Bakumatsu. You should like this anime if you like history and martial arts. It doesn’t have quite the animation style as Kenshin or as Peacemaker Kurogane which was one of the parts I was disappointed with. It’s not an anime that leaves a lasting impression but it’s still a good one to pick up on an evening when you’re tired of robots, high school romances and vampires.

More like this:

Peacemaker Kurogane

Rurouni Kenshin Prequel

Ninku

Year: 2007

Alternative Title: Guardian of the Sacred Spirit

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Anime- Kraze Fansubs

Seirei no Moribito Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Awesome

Review: Balsa the Spearwielder, wanders around the lands as a bodyguard. In order to atone for her sin of other people having given up their lives for her, Balsa has vowed never to kill anyone and to protect eight lives as a bodyguard. In the New Yogo Kingdom, trouble is brewing. The Emperor has ordered the assassination of his second son, Prince Chagum, who is possessed by a water fiend and will thus bring great drought upon the land. One day it so happened that Balsa saved Prince Chagum from drowning in the river. The Empress called for Balsa and entrusted her with the job of protecting Prince Chagum for life. Balsa accepted the request – Chagum would be the eighth life she would save. Follow Balsa as she faces danger and adversity and puts her life on the line for Chagum. Will she be successful in saving the eighth life she has vowed to save? Is Chagum merely possessed by a spirit or is there more to this supernatural mystery?

Seirei no Moribito is an interesting action-packed anime with a strong plot. It takes place in a world where spirits and supernatural happenings are considered normal and completely possible. In this aspect, it reminds me of Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. The story is fast-paced with no fillers or meaningless episodes. The character development is really amazing as we can see Chagum’s character grow stronger with Balsa’s guidance and the bond between them grow stronger. Amidst Balsa and Chagum’s adventure, the plot also includes a good amount of court politics that dominates the Imperial palace and its influence on the future of Chagum. The animation is crisp, bright and colourful. The many fights that fill this story are skilled and well worth watching. All in all, a wonderful anime not to be missed!

If you like Seirei no Moribito, check out:

Saiunkoku Monogatari: Set in mythical imperial times, the story follows Kou Shuurei’s attempts to transform the Emperor into a responsible ruler and to pursue her dreams of bringing prosperity to the country despite being a woman in ancient times. Like Seirei no Moribito, Saiunkoku Monogatari contains a heavy emphasis on the politics of governance. Like Balsa, Shuurei is the female lead whose wisdom and strength change lives.

Year: 2006

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Shinsen Subs

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto Official Site

Rating: Great

Review: The story is set at the end of the Tokugawa era and the beginning of the revolution with a supernatural twist. The long era of the shogunate in Japan is now being replaced by the seeds of chaos, revolution and change – triggered by the intrusion of the Western world into Japan. It is during this time that the existence of the “Lord’s Head” or “Hasha no Kubi” – a supernatural entity which appears during the time of unrest and turmoil. It falls upon Yukiro Akidzuki – the legendary Eternal Assassin to seal the Head and the evil surrounding it. However, there are others who are greedy to harness it’s power for their own means. In the course of tracking down the Head, Akidzuki runs into a small theatrical troupe which is out for revenge. Amidst the mingling of stories, the political unrest and the foreign influence over a critical time in Japan, Akidzuki must carry the burden of sealing the Lord’s Head before it is too late.

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto has a very interesting take on the Meiji Revolution. Apart from the fact that it has a supernatural element to it, it portrays the seeds of revolution in a different light from other historical anime. We can see much more the foreign influence, the numerous dealings, initial anti-Western sentiments and the complex political layers. Without compromising on the action, this anime gives a more complex look at the era and goes beyond putting it in the usual simple terms of Shinsengumi v. Choshu clan. The soundtrack is worth mentioning – it really adds to the anime and blends well. In short, Bakumatsu is certainly worth watching – so try to get your hands on it!

More anime like this one:

Rurouni Kenshin Prequel

Peacemaker Kurogane

Year: 2006

Alternative title: Hijikata Toshizo: The While Trail

Rating: Alright

Review: As the title suggests, this piece is centered around the legendary Shinsengumi deputy leader Hijikata Toshizo. Although this is a biographical sketch of Hijikata-san, it also throws light on the events surrounding the formation and ultimate break-up of the Shinsengumi during the revolution before the Meiji Restoration.

Truth be told, I was a tad bit disappointed in the style of animation employed in this anime. It lacked the romanticism and accentuated features of characters in Kenshin and Peacemaker Kurogane. However, looking back, this piece is primarily historical in nature and puts the events straight – unlike the aforementioned Meiji era animes. I personally found the anime very interesting and was glued for every one of those 33 minutes. Anyone who is a history buff (as I am) must watch this. But its also a good watch for anyone just plain interesting in knowing more about the Shinsengumi and their role in the revolution. Be ready to encounter already familiar characters such as Kondou Isami, Okita Souji, Yamanami Keisuke and even Ichimura Tetsunosuke (for those of you who’ve already watched Peacemaker Kurogane).

More anime of this era:

Rurouni Kenshin Prequel: A historical yet fictional tale of the legendary assassin in the shadows of the Meiji Revolution.

Peacemaker Kurogane: A depiction of life in the Shinsengumi during the tempestuous times of the Meiji Revolution.

Year: 1999

Status: Complete, Licensed by ADV Films

Alternative Titles: Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuikohen, Rurouni Kenshin OVAs

Rurouni Kenshin Tsuikohen Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Awesome

Review: This series is set in the early Meiji era of Japan and traces the portion of Himura Kenshin’s life when he became the terrifying legendary assassin with the title “Hitokiri Battousai”. It begins with Kenshin’s tragic childhood and his initial training under Hiko Seijuro in the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu sword style. Kenshin’s role in the Meiji revolution led him to meet his first wife, Yukishiro Tomoe and leads up to the end of the Bakumatsu where Kenshin finally makes the big change in his life by vowing not to kill anymore.

This series is incredibly well-done and is an accurate depiction of the Bakumatsu era. It gives us a deep insight into Kenshin’s life before giving up life as an assassin and the scars he got – both physically and emotionally during this time. If you’ve seen the TV series, you will like this better. If you haven’t watched the TV series, you’ll like this anyway! Kenshin is a must-watch for any lover of anime!

Recommendations:

Peacemaker Kurogane: An interesting perspective on the Bakumatsu era – the story from the Shinsengumi’s side. One sees familiar character such as Okita Souji and Saito Hajime. However, its storyline does lack some lustre when compared to Rurouni Kenshin Prequel.

Hijikata Toshizo: Shiro no Kiseki: Yet another Bakumatsu era based anime following the life of the famous Shinsegumi leader Hijikata Toshizo. While the storyline is a great, the anime style is rather unattractive.

Year: 2003

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Lunar Anime Fansubs, AnimeHQ Fansubs, Anime4ever Fansubs

Peacemaker Kurogane Official Site (Japanese)

Review: The story is set in 19th century Japan – a tempestuous time before the Meiji Restoration when the revolution is brewing. Ichimura Tetsunosuke is a young, lively kid who is extremely short and extremely determined. He and his ever-worried brother Tatsunosuke were left to fend for themseleves after the brutal murder of their parents. Driven by the desire to avenge his parents, Tetsunosuke joins the Shinsengumi – a special police force which supported the Shogunate. Tetsunosuke hopes that he will be able to get stronger by being in the Shinsengumi – however, times are not easy and there is much blood being spilled. Will Tetsunosuke be able to survive the hardships and violence that characterise the times? Does he have it in him to make the sacrifices necessary to become powerful?

Peacemaker Kurogane is a wonderful depiction of the confrontation between the two opposing clans during the revolution: the Shinsengumi and the Choshu clan. If you’ve already watched the Kenshin prequel, then you will find this extremely interesting since it gives us a picture from the Shinsengumi’s perspective. The series is also based on real historical characters such as Saito Hajime, Okita Soji, and Hijikata Toshizo. It’s a great anime with a compelling storyline and lots of really good sword fights. You don’t have to be a history buff to like this one! A top anime hands down!

Recommendations: Rurouni Kenshin Prequel, Hijikata Toshizo: Shiro no Kiseki, Shura no Toki

Year: 1997

Status: Complete

Alternative Title: Recca no Honou

Subbed by: Anime Forever Fansubs

Flame of Recca Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Alright

Review: Hanabishi Recca is just another ordinary high school student obsessed with the history of ninjas – in particular, the Hokage Ninja clan. However, a chance encounter with Sakoshita Yanagi changes everything. Recca saves Yanagi from a falling beam in a construction area and takes the hit himself. Yanagi, however, has the special power of healing and saves Recca’s life. From then on, Recca views Yanagi as his “hime” or princess and vows to protect her as her ninja. To add to the interesting turn of events, Recca is tracked down by mysterious woman of the shadows who unearths his past and his true identity. Recca brings out the flame from his hand and realises that he is a flame-user. Soon, Yanagi is targetted by a greedy businessman for her healing ability. It is up to Recca to save her from their clutches, to understand his past, and to find out his true purpose. Recca and his friends fight off evil and enemies from the past and present to protect Yanagi!

Flame of Recca is an exciting action-packed anime with good storyline and lots of good fights… or at least it mostly started out that way. The storyline is pretty decent with the ancient twist and the use of elemental weapons but while it was off to a great start, there’s a point where the story began to get repetitive. Without giving away much of the plot, the repetition comes in with the never-ending dark tournament Recca and his gang of friends fight. To be fair, the fights partly make up for the weaknesses in the story and the lack of substantive character development.On the hand, almost all of the fights seem a fight to death with a miracle in the end.

On a different note, the series often seems a little strange with the whole “princess” business Recca is obsessed about – each to his own obsession I suppose. I have a soft corner for Flame of Recca since it was one of the first few anime I watched way back. If you like ninjas, martial arts and are more interested in fights than a story – then Recca is right down your alley. However, if martial arts are only appealing to you in a good storyline like Kenshin or Kenichi, you probably want to skip out on Recca.

If you like ninjas and action, check out:

Naruto

Bleach

Ninku

Year: 1995

Status: Complete, but hard to find!

Subbed by: Shinsen Subs (but stalled)

Official Ninku Site (Japanese)

Rating: Alright

Review: Ninku is a powerful martial arts which is based on the elements of the world. Before the war began, the ninku were a powerful force which were targetted by an evil empire now currently ruling Japan. The Ninku corps were to combat this tyranny. Each corp had a captain – a master in the element he controlled. Fuuske, a young kid who always leaves his tongue hanging out was is the former 1st division captain – controller of the wind. Despite his age, he is considered the strongest among all the ninku survivors. Fuuske’s mother was kidnapped when he was just a little kid and Fuuske begins his journey to find her. Moreover, people are living in poverty and oppression under the Empire’s rule with the Empire blaming it all on Ninku. Fuuske and his companions are out to clear the Ninku’s name and combat the tyranny of the empire!

Before I say anything about this, let me just clarify that I watched this series way back in my early years of high school – and I haven’t been able to get hold of the series since. So forgive me if my memory is a bit hazy. Ninku is overall an interesting anime – although by today’s standards the animation style is a bit old. I will not lie – there are a bunch of fillers in the story from time to time – some of them extremely lame. But when the real action is up, boy does Ninku deliver. Ninku remains one of my favourite martial arts series just because its so different from other martial arts anime which usually employ sword fights and such. So Ninku does have that unrealistic tinge to it – but in my opinion, thats what makes it fun to watch. Ninku is definitely worth a shot at the very least. But you know what – good luck trying to get your hands on it!

Recommendations:

Gensou Maden Saiyuki

Flame of Recca

Shura no Toki

Year: 2006

Alternative title: Shij? Saiky? no Deshi Kenichi

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Kuro-Hana Fansubs , Umai and Doremi Fansubs

Shijo Saikyo no Deshi Kenichi Official Site (Japanese)

Review: Shirahama Kenichi is an ordinary high schooler with one big problem – he’s often bullied by those stronger than him. Kenichi finds himself frustrated at the fact that he’s too weak to defend himself against these deliquents. However, Kenichi finds a chance at becoming stronger in a chance meeting with Furinji Miu – a girl skilled in martial arts. Miu’s grandfather owns a dojo with a number of masters of different kinds of martial arts. Kenichi signs up to be their disciple unaware of the harsh training and high standards of the dojo. In the meantime, a gang called Ragnarok notices Kenichi growing strength and inevitably, Kenichi becomes their target. Will Kenichi be able to fend off the deadly leaders of Ragnarok? Will he be able withstand the deathly training his masters put him through?

Kenichi is an action-packed light-hearted anime. The story is simple, fun and exciting with a healthy dose of martial arts and humour! A good watch overall!

For more action, check out:

Overdrive : An intense sports anime which follows the story of Shinozaki Mikoto and how he pursues his dreams of becoming the world’s best cyclist.

Naruto : The story of Naruto pursuing his dreams of becoming the strongest ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village.

Bamboo Blade : A lighthearted anime revolving around the sport of Kendo and an all-female high school teams journey in pursuing Kendo.