Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor

Title:Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor
Ikki Tousen Extreme Executor
Ikkitousen - Xtreme Xecutor
Ikkitousen XX
一騎当千 XTREME XECUTOR (Japanese)
Overall:Watch
Keywords: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - ARMS
Production - GENCO, Inc.
R1 License - FUNimation
Academy clan wars escalate. Time to unleash the true powers of all the fighters. A new enemy appears, but fooled by only what the eye can see. Hakufu doesn't notice the true and mighty enemies lurking beyond the shadows, ready to assault all she treasures most. Deathly eyes and souls join the fight for supremacy - a fight that no longer involves the academies, but the entire world.
(Source: ANN - corrected)

The fourth television series based on Shiozaki Yuuji's Ikkitousen manga about girls in fighting tournaments.

Production GENCO, Inc.
12 TV episodes (~24 min)
Series set to begin airing on March 26, 2010

[edit] The ↗Ikkitousen franchise:
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Watch 9 10 9 9 5 6 Xenoknight [series:2294#2967]
Mouki, a young girl determined for revenge, boldly steps into the ranks of Ikkitousen's ↗Three Kingdoms...

Ikkitousen has become a long running series known for some visceral fighting scenes, borderline ecchi content, fair amount of history relations in the story, and all around comedic fun. Being a fan of the series since day one, I can easily say that they've always delivered upon these features - until now! To my dismay, the latest chapter in the franchise, Xtreme Xecutor, has fallen short on most of the things that attributed to its success over the years. To say that it was lackluster would be putting it nicely due to only a handful of fighting scenes (might as well toss the visceral part), watered down ecchi content (safe ecchi if you will), and a non-existent comedic presence that turned hardcore laughs into boring story progression. This season was a total disaster in my eyes. So is the verdict...

The story consists of a new hero, Mouki, and her quest for revenge against those responsible for her brother's death. Her power is legendary, but with her undeveloped fighting prowess, she won't be avenging anyone, let alone saving herself. She meets characters from the 3 different schools and they all try to help her in their own way. Meanwhile, a powerful foe with a terrible hatred for all fighters amasses enough power and takes control of a neighboring school. This evil entity invites everyone to a new tournament where a new champion can be born. What really ensues is a struggle for world domination where the favored result is the death of all fighters tied to a ↗Magatama.

The whole season was not worth mentioning really. The characters were all there (more so in body than soul) and the whole "fight to save the world" theme had weak substance to it. Sonsaku Hakufu was as idiotic as ever and she even rubbed off on Mouki for a while there (not a good experience). Once the characters set sail on the boat for the tournament (the most enthusiastic character of all missing the boat), it was one theme for several episodes straight. Kan-u was entwined with her dragon power while fueled with the evil a certain someone had in store for all the fighters. She faces her ultimate rival from the era of the 3 kingdoms and they both duke it out for old times sake. My issue was it dragged out too long and the action wasn't the Ikkitousen style I know and love. It was as if they planned that fight in 3 minutes and slapped it together. The other characters, some held in custody and other mostly separated, all pretty much did nothing until Hakufu arrived. There is a few moments of drama and battle for Chouhi Ekitoku and Shuuyu Koukin as they all rushed to Kan-u's location with Hakufu, but it wasn't worth the boring parts and overall method of dragging the story to get to that point. This is the first season with no memorable moments to remember. It was just a bad installment for the series overall.

When the specs for this series come to mind, Ikkitousen brings it like nobody's business. Top class animation, art, and character design makes for great visuals, bright colors, and brilliant backgrounds. The music is top tier as well with an end-credit song ("Endless Soul ~Owarinaki Senshi~" by Masumi Asano & Aya Endo) that always gets me in the right mood to go out and face the world after every episode. I would strongly urge readers to listen to it while they read the rest of this review (as I listened to it from the start of writing it). There is no question that the "wow" button was pushed in this department, but why can't the specs match the quality of the series overall is a question that will haunt Xtreme Xecutor for quite some time.

The final 2 episodes were where my patience gave way. As usual, it's Hakufu vs. the big evil (generally speaking) and instead of an epic battle that spans an entire/multiple episodes, we get a one-sided 2 minute melee and a mercy move to wrap it all up! What kind of crap battle is that anyway? The last ep was even worse. In an attempt for some closure, we get the characters relaxing after a hard fought battle (some more than others) and enjoying each others company. Promises are made, failures are accepted, wounds are healed, and all seems to return to normal. In the midst of this however, there is a last battle that hints upon another possible season for our heroes. I would never normally say "let this series die with some dignity", but the inner C.A. factor (continuation attempt) enthusiast in me will not allow it. I just pray they take it more seriously story/battle-wise next time around.

All in all, this season had many faults, but it did play out as I predicted from the start. It was a filler series through and through. As so is my recommendation. If you’re a fan of Ikkitousen, then watch it in the meantime between your other favorite titles. If you don't know what Ikkitousen is all about, I would suggest you start from the beginning. If female ecchi fighters is what anime is all about for you, then I'll point you towards Sekirei. If you want more fighting paired with comedic fan-service, then try KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple. Both suggestions will serve you just fine.

The fighters of Ikkitousen are still among the strongest fighters in anime...

Check out my award list to see some of the best anime titles in the world!

Never forget Xenosaga.

Last updated Saturday, September 11 2010. Created Monday, February 22 2010.

Other Sites
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Official website http://www.ikkitousen.com/
一騎当千 XTREME XECUTOR (Japanese)

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