Netflix: Onimusha

 

Onimusha

I thought this was going to be a series with Samanosuke Akechi either an anime adaptation of the first game or maybe an epilogue story of what happened but it's completely something else. It's more like a part of the Onimusha world. I am also unsure about the timeline on when this series happens in the franchise. 

L-R: Goromaru, Sahei. Musashi Miyamoto and Heikuro

New characters with that hybrid mix of digital animation which I am wary of because of the latest iteration of Berserk, BUT it seems like this one moves so much smoother, not awkward, nor stiff and bulky, and easier on the eyes, much like Kengan Ashura is, which is another series I do love. 

Also, looking at Miyamoto, I was like, why do you look like the main character from Seven Samurai? Because he is. His character model was the actor Toshiro Mifune who played Kikuchiyo in that classic movie. 

Even though it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, no Samanosuke, I love the storyline. I was still entertained and to be in the world of Onimusha again was a treat. 

Sayo

She's a great character. Strong and brave and carries quite a burden and a sense of duty. Reminds me of faithful Kaede from Onimusha 1. The are some holes in the plot that I wish I had an explanation on. I am trying to remember the games but they are spoilers so I will not mention it. I mean HOW was the Genma contacted? That's as much as I can say. 

Oni Gauntlet

The only two things, for me, that tie the games with this anime is the Genma and the Oni Gauntlet. That's about it. The anime is still enjoyable as a standalone. 

I hope that CAPCOM will consider a remaster of the games if this anime proves to be popular. A remaster comparable to what they have done to RE2 and RE4. 

I am also hoping for a Season 2 of the anime, but the character designer for the series, Kim Jung Gi, tragically passed away last year from a heart attack while in Paris. The ending kind of hints of maybe more adventures with some characters and the Oni Gauntlet so I am optimistic that this isn't the end of Onimusha the anime. Definitely recommended to those who played the game.

Anime - Kengan Ashura

I tried to like the new Grappler Baki Netflix series but I felt that it was just too over-the-top with the action scenes and the plot was everywhere and it was boring. I think I got as far as episode 9 and I could go no further than that. Which is a shame as I do remember the old Baki from the mid 2000s and with that series I got as far as episode 6 before it got licensed and the fansub had to end. I had liked the old Baki. The new Baki not as much.

As I browsed Netflix,  Kengan Ashura caught my eye. So we started watching it. I was a bit apprehensive as they made use of the digital anime style which killed Berserk for me. But they seem to have either mixed the anime with traditional and the digital and blended it well or they are just doing it better than how Berserk turned out.

We ended up watching four episodes in one night and binge watched the rest that weekend. This anime has the gratuitous violence similar to Baki but the story was fun, characters were interesting, some crazy fighting styles but not as bad as Baki where you can't suspend belief and the story just turns ridiculous.

The manga was written by Yabako Sandrovich and ran for 27 volumes before it ended. A sequel two years after the original time line began early this year.

Shortest summary intro ever, the protagonist is Ohma Tokita. A man on a mission with his fists. I don't want to spoil the story. Granted, it's not as deep, almost following a familiar track, but I would categorize this one as satisfyingly fun with good visuals.

Another thing that we liked a lot with this anime is it's music. The ending song Born This Way by BAD HOP is awesome. The flow is smooth and the beats are amazing.

Also, please note, we never watch anime in English dub. Always in Japanese with English subtitles. We are of the mentality of watching any foreign movies in it's native language with subtitles.

This series ran 12 episodes when it dropped in July 2019. But we didn't have to wait too long as Season 2 is scheduled to drop on October 31, 2019.

Cannot wait to continue this series. Gotta fill in the space while we wait for new episodes of Seven Deadly Sins!

Anime - Summer Season 2013

Yes, everyone is watching Attack on Titan. I don't want to talk about something that is universally awesome already so I'd like to focus on the more obscure anime I am watching.

 Yami Shibai

Yami Shibai (Theater of Darkness): Japanese Ghost Stories. If you like Japanese horror it's a good idea to check this series out.

Episodes are only five minutes long and done in the traditional Japanese style of story telling called Kamishibai. Even though it's very short, each episode packs a whole level of creepiness in it. Enough to make it enjoyable.

Episode 2: Zanbai

Episode 4: Hair

Downside is I have to wait a week to see another five minute episode. I hope they do many of these as I really like learning about other countries particular ghost stories.

Anime aside, it's been quite a while since I posted. Life has been keeping us busy. I haven't even posted anything about SDCC 2013 which was awesome. I'll try to post more and be less random.

I Like Blu

I've been buying a lot of blu-rays lately since Black Friday. Not for full price mind you. Only when it's on sale. Just like the VHS tape, the DVD format is now a dinosaur and it is time to upgrade our movie collection. Here's a few I ordered after Christmas:

Not all of my anime will probably be ported over to blu-ray if they are available in that format. Some are just meh, i.e. storyline, and don't need to be upgraded. There are a few exceptions however, like Full Metal Panic. I like this series because it's light-hearted and not meant to be taken as a serious mind bender like some other series I can mention.

There's not a lot of anime I like on blu-ray. Most of the time it's ridiculously expensive but these dipped below $18 each for full series sets so I got them all. I used my Christmas gift cards too so total shipped after discount is only $2.47! Estimated delivery time because of free shipping is around January 10, 2011.Can't wait!