Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto

Title:Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
Irohanihoheto
Shogun`un Son Günleri
幕末機関説 いろはにほへと
Overall:Watch
Keywords: , , , , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - SUNRISE
Music - KAJIURA Yuki
The End of the Edo Era was also the end of the Age of the Samurai. The arrival of the Westerners with their new ways and weapons was generating turmoil and chaos throughout Japan. The members of the Kakunojou Yuuyama Theater Troupe have spent ten years seeking to revenge the death of their Master. At the same time, a ronin named Youriro Akidzuki is searching for the Hasha no Kubi, (or the Head of Conqueror.) – a dangerous mystical treasure that is rumored to assure victory in combat. Their paths cross in the year 1853 in the city of Yokohama, at a time when shadow armies are locked in a struggle for power, control and the future of the country.

26 TV Episodes
Animation by Sunrise
New Series aired on Oct, 2006
Episode Details 
01
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Watch Marcus #
Episodes seen: 6

Set in Yokohama at the end of the samurai era, this series seems to be trying for a mix of historically accurate action/drama, and fantasy elements involving an ancient treasure supposed to confer extraordinary power on those who possess it.

Bakumatsu is one of those anime containing a large cast of characters with competing agendas, loosely revolving around this ancient treasure. It also drops you into the middle of this conflict without much explanation as to what's going on. After six episodes, I have to say it's been difficult to follow all the dealings and manouvering between the different factions. Hopefully this will settle down as the plot develops, as the story and some of the characters are interesting.

Last updated Saturday, April 28 2007. Created Friday, April 27 2007.
Unevaluated Jan-Chan #
Yokohama at this time was the only open port in Japan for western merchants – a city full of intrigue and dark dealings. The merchants were very busy smuggling in their high-tech goods (such as gattling-guns), while western agents are busy trying to negotiate backroom deals with whatever lord is brave enough to risk being associated with them.

Great animation – interesting setting and characters – very much a dramatic action story with a lot of sword, gun and ninja combat scenes.

But to be honest, I kinda lost interest at about episode 12 when the story got too deep, ponderous and complex. It just got to be a bit too much in trying to mix ancient priests and magic surrounding the mystery of the 'magic head', with the machinations of politics and western weapons.

(I have posted some snaps from the first episode)

Last updated Monday, September 22 2008. Created Friday, November 10 2006.

Other Sites
NameURL
Official Japanese Series Web Site http://www.irohanihoheto.jp/

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