The Tale of the Sakura Demons animated series actors. "The Tale of Sakura Demons": characters, year of release, country, plot briefly and fan reviews. Will there be a sequel?
, Mitsutoshi Ogura
| Other TV networks: |
|---|
| Chiba TV, TV Saitama, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, AT-X, Tokyo MX TV, TV Aichi |
"Hakuouki Dai-isshou Kyoto Ranbu"
Hakuouki (Japanese: 薄桜鬼 Hakuo:ki, "Demons of Pale Cherry Blossom") is a series of video games originally developed by Idea Factory for the Playstation 2 platform and subsequently ported to the Playstation 3, Playstation Portable and Nintendo DS. Based Hakuouki An anime series of the same name was created at Studio Deen. Also based on the plot, two manga adaptations were released. The first season of the series is called Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan (Japanese: 薄桜鬼新選組奇譚 Hakuo:ki Shinsengumi Kitan, Demons of Pale Cherry: The Amazing Tale of the Shinsengumi), and second - Hakuouki: Hekketsu-roku (Japanese: 薄桜鬼碧血録 Hakuo:ki Hekketsuroku, Pale Cherry Demons: Blue Blood Records). Also on August 5, 2011, the first of six episodes of Hakuouki Sekkaroku (OVA) was released. The third season aired from July 9 to September 24, 2012. In 2013, 2 full-length anime films were announced.
Plot
The story takes place in the mid-19th century, during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Changing moods of people and the clash of culture with Western civilization have made life more dangerous. The healer Kodo Yukimura, who returned from Europe, disappeared without a trace, and his daughter Chizuru, disguised as a samurai, goes in search of him. On the very first day of her stay in the then capital, Kyoto, she falls into the hands of the Shinsengumi detachment. One day she is surprised to learn that her father is involved in the creation of this group.
Characters
Chizuru Yukimura (Japanese: 雪村千鶴 Yukimura Chizuru) - the main character of the story, who came to Kyoto to find her missing father Kodo. She is in love with Hijikata, although she denies it in conversation with Senhime. She is a pure-blooded demon, but did not suspect this until Kazama told her.
Voiced by: Hoko KuwashimaKodo Yukimura (Japanese: 雪村綱道 Yukimura Kodo:) - being an excellent specialist in medicine, by order of the shogunate he developed Ochimizu, a potion that increases the speed and strength of those who drink it. But over time, and this is the main side effect, the person abusing the use Ochimizu, transforms into a vampire-like monster called rasetsu. Died defending Chizuru.
Voiced by: Ryugo Saito
Toshizo Hijikata (Japanese: 土方歳三 Hijikata Toshizo:) - Vice-captain of the Shinsengumi. Among his nicknames Oni-fukucho(Demon Vice Commander) and Tosi. Toshizo is the one who is responsible for Chizura after she first encounters the Shinsengumi. He makes most of the decisions in the Shinsengumi. The members of the squad fear and respect him. He cares for Chizuru, often protecting her during battles; subsequently falls in love with the girl.
Voiced by: Shinichiro Miki
Souji Okita (Japanese: 沖田総司 Okita Souji) - Captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi and a brilliant swordsman. After the incident in Ikeda-ya, it turned out that he was sick with an incurable disease at that time - tuberculosis. Hoping to be cured of it and fight again at full strength, he becomes a Rasetsu by taking the Ochimizu serum given to him by Nagumo Kaoru. Subsequently, it turns out that tuberculosis cannot be cured with the help of otimizu. Being weakened by illness, he dies, having used up all the rasetsu capabilities available to his body, in battle protecting Hijikata and Chizuru.
Voiced by: Shotaro Morikubo Voiced by: Kosuke Toriumi
Nice Nagakura (Japanese: 永倉 新八 Nagakura Sympathy) - Captain of the Second Division of the Shinsengumi. He is usually very cheerful. His close friends are Harada and Heisuke. He is very skilled with a sword, but loves to drink, often breaking his curfew. After a quarrel with Isami Kondo, he leaves the Shinsengumi squad. Together with his old friend Cute Nagakura, Hogu Nobumichi, they formed the Seiheitai unit.
Voiced by: Tomohiro Tsuboi
Sanosuke Harada (Japanese: 原田左之助 Harada Sanosuke) - is the captain of the tenth division of the Shinsengumi. He is on friendly terms with Cute and Heisuke. Harada specializes in wielding a spear, but is also good with a sword. Died from mortal wounds while tracking down Rasetsu Kodo.
Voiced by: Koji Yusa
Kaoru Nagumo (Japanese: 南雲薫 Nagumo Kaoru) - at first appears before us as a beautiful girl, a copy of Tizuru. It is later revealed that this is a boy, actually Chizuru's twin brother. When they were little, they were separated. The father left with his daughter, and he was given the custody of the Nagumo clan. Since he was not a female demon, he was treated horribly. When Kaoru finally saw Chizuru (after they were older), she didn't even recognize him. It was he who gave the otimizu to Souji. Killed by Kazama.
Voiced by: Hasumi Ito
Chikage Kazama (Japanese: 風間千景 Kazama Chikage) - is an enemy of the Shinsengumi, a pure-blooded demon, like Chizuru. He sought out Chizuru because she is a female demon so that she would give birth to a strong pure demon (born from demon parents) from him. Killed by Toshizo Hijikata.
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda
Susumu Yamazaki (Japanese: 山崎 裾野 Yamazaki Susumu) - For the Shinsengumi he was a messenger and also a doctor. He was mortally wounded when he defended Hijikata. Having previously left for Chizuru a book with the medical histories of all Shinsengumi warriors.
Anime series
Season 1: Shinsengumi Kitan
| № series |
Title | Broadcast in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital of Snow Flowers "Sekka no Miyako" (雪華の都) | April 4, 2010 |
| 2 | Seeds of discord "Do:ran no Hibuta" (動乱の火蓋) | April 11, 2010 |
| 3 | A flower that blooms at dusk "Yoyami ni Saku Hana" (宵闇に咲く華) | April 18, 2010 |
| 4 | Coming from the darkness "Yami yori Kuru Mono" (闇より来る者) | April 25, 2010 |
| 5 | Rival Blades "So:koku seshi Yaiba" (相克せし刃) | May 2, 2010 |
| 6 | Demon Life Thread "Oni no Meimyaku" (鬼の命脈) | May 9, 2010 |
| 7 | Shackles of Fate "Sikkoku no Ummei" (桎梏の運命) | May 16, 2010 |
| 8 | Fleeting dreams "Asaki Yumemishi" (あさきゆめみし) | May 23, 2010 |
| 9 | Traces of bloody slaughter "Shura no Wadachi" (修羅の轍) | May 30, 2010 |
| 10 | Where the bonds are "Kizuna no Yukue" (絆のゆくえ) | June 6, 2010 |
| 11 | Fallen "Koboreotiru Mono" (零れ落ちるもの) | June 13, 2010 |
| 12 | On the other end of the blade "Kengeki no Kanata" (剣戟の彼方) | June 20, 2010 |
Season 2: Hekketsu-roku
This anime can easily be called historical. The story takes place in the mid-19th century during the reign of the Takugawa shogunate. The change in people's moods and the clash of culture with Western civilization has made life more dangerous. And during this very period, the main character, Chizuru Yukimura, went in search of her missing father, who disappeared somewhere in Kyoto. On the very first night of life in the capital, Chizuru witnessed a fierce fight between two groups of samurai. The winners took her prisoner as an unnecessary witness. And imagine the girl’s surprise when she found out that she had fallen into the hands of the Shinsengumi... Chizuru was even more surprised to learn that her father, for her new acquaintances, was not a stranger at all, and it was vital for them to find him. This seemingly unremarkable beginning, with a flower garden of beautiful boys and a naive heroine, led to an interesting development of the plot.
In the first season, we get to know the characters, their character traits and goals. We also learn about a strange elixir called “otimizu”. Which increases strength, but in return quickly turns a person into a bloodthirsty race (well, they remind me of vampires). The creator of this “miracle potion” turned out to be Kodo-san, Chizuru’s father. And by the end of the season, ironically, most of the Shinsengumi warriors become racetsu. We are also shown the battles and events that took place at that time and resulted in many deaths... And so defeat, and the ship, with the heroes we already loved, set off for Edo...
And here is the second season. The brave squad again finds themselves involved in the games of the mighty of this world, where the stakes are other people's lives and power. And the warriors understand this very well. And without hesitation they make their choice, decide to fight to the end and die with dignity, because they simply have no other way. All this time, Chizuru supports them. It is not for nothing that they say that war taxes both men and women equally, but only takes blood from some and tears from others.
By the way, I would also like to note that the Shinsengumi is a Japanese military-police detachment from the late Tokugawa shogunate (Bakumatsu), formed by the shogun government in 1863 and continued to operate until 1869. During the Bakumatsu and the further restoration of the imperial dynasty to the throne. The Shinsengumi fought on the side of the shogun against the supporters of the emperor. And also, I want to add that all the names of the heroes are also taken from history. It’s not for nothing that at the beginning of the article I called this anime historical.
Main character. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be a demon, but we never saw any manifestation of this (well, not counting the rapid healing of wounds). I loved the Shinsengumi with all my heart, and especially Hijikato-san. Like all shoujo, the heroines are kind, sweet, and responsible. She tried many times to join the fight, but she didn’t succeed, someone always saved her. He has great courage, because it’s not so easy to see your friends die in war and not fall into despair, and at the same time support others.
Vice-Captain of the Shinsengumi. For friends, just Tosi. Toshizo makes most of the decisions in the Shinsengumi. The members of the squad fear and respect him. He was assigned to Chizuru as an observer and responsible for her. He fulfilled his duties completely and with no small success, because he often protected her during battles. By the end he realizes that he is in love with this sweet and faithful girl, and also realizes that he still has something to protect.
Commander of the Shinsengumi. A simple man who achieved everything on his own but, of course, not without the support of his friends. Surrenders to give the squad time to leave, even knowing the consequences of this action.
Captain of the third squad. This is a silent, calm young man. He is polite and taciturn. Saito analyzes the situation before the attack to figure out what actions need to be taken to complete the mission. Until the last seconds of his life he was faithful to the spirit of a warrior.
Captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi and a brilliant swordsman. After the incident in Ikedaya, it turned out that he was suffering from an incurable disease at that time - tuberculosis. To regain the opportunity, he fights again, tries to recover with the help of otimizu. But this does not help to heal, but only leads to transformation into rasetsu. In the end, he spent his last strength defending Hojikata.
Scientist, tactician. He was injured in Osaka, as a result of which he lost the ability to wield a sword with his left hand. Hoping to restore his hand, he began to research the experiments of Kodo Yukimura. As a result, he improved otimizu (eliminating the side effects, although only partially) and became the first to try it on himself. At moments it is unclear whether he betrays his friends, or is faithful to them to the end. But, as Sannan-san put it, if you want to deceive your enemy, deceive your friends first.
The youngest member of the Shinsengumi. Cheerful, a little childish, quick-tempered. Once leaving the detachment, he still returns to it. To heal from his wounds, he takes otimizu. Spends his last strength in order to destroy the race.
Sanosuke is the captain of the tenth division of the Shinsengumi. Harada specializes in wielding a spear, but is also good with a sword. Has a calm disposition. Lost his life while destroying a large squad of Rasetsu.
Shinpachi is the captain of the second division of the Shinsengumi. He has a cheerful and eccentric character. Always ready to drink an extra glass of sake and have some fun. His close friends are Harada and Heisuke.
Everything disappeared, evaporated like mist, sank into oblivion. Of course, no matter how stupid it may seem, a sword is nothing against a gun, it’s not fair. But even the last Sami coward will pick up a gun. But for a true samurai, the ability to hold a sword is the true proof of his life, he is his best friend and comrade. The katana is in the ego’s hands, which means life and death are in the ego’s hands too. Even realizing that the time of katanas had already come to an end, the heroes did not leave their path and walked along it until the very end... Sakura petals quietly fall, taking with them, into the blue sky, the souls and silhouettes of the heroes...
I haven't watched season 3 yet, because... I know that this is a prequel to the main events.
Therefore, I will leave a review after watching two.
Well, let's start with the fact that out of the corner of my eye I saw the Josei genre on shiki and to some extent thought that this was it. So, do not believe the chic genres, however, as has always been the case. This is simply a reverse harem.
What I liked:
The story itself. Shinsengumi in general and the subsequent war. The events of Japan in the 19th century are not shown as often, which is why it was more interesting;
Everything from here "supernatural". Do you know what usually happens? When they push in all sorts of mystical forces and so on, and then everything merges into some kind of rubbish and all these forces come out of all the cracks? So, this is really the main plus of the series (of which there are VERY few here) - nothing like this was shown here. Everything is in moderation and neatly.
However, that's all.
Now let's move on to what I didn't like:
I'll start with the main character. I haven't seen such a log since the time of this beauty. They have approximately the same meaning throughout history. Only the plot itself is built around her, but in fact the entire series does nothing but shout “KUROSA..”, oh, sorry, “HIJIKATA-SAN”. She's cute, yes, the typical image of a Japanese good girl, but I'm interested in the character, and she handled it poorly.
Handsome guys. No, I usually calmly watch reverse harems and shojo in general. But the authors decided to try to combine real events with the series - and the COMMANDERS of the detachment, shining with their nipples and muscles - well, that’s it. I especially yelled when they got Western-style uniforms, and everyone’s was DIFFERENT.
Not everyone liked them themselves as characters, but they were quite tolerable. Especially this guy.
How cut out all the handsome guys. The idea of cutting them ALL down for drama (even if it goes against historical events) is not so bad. But they died approximately at the level of minor extras. A short scene of a pretentious fight - and goodbye. I blame it, of course, on timing and disgusting fights.
Disgusting fights. No seriously. Absolutely all the action scenes suck. Even Kenshin '96 could do better. The staging of any battle, not to mention what was shown during hostilities, is utter horror.
Absolutely funny and illogical romance, which they decided to put in season 2.
There will be at least one girl here who can explain to me how she managed to fall in love with
Judging by the events of the first season, as for me, this guy is much more suitable for this role, because... It was he who was most often there and saved her life. Yes, not everyone falls in love with “life-saving heroes,” but also with unpleasant, sharp-tongued types, from whom you will hear nothing but rudeness, even more so. And there’s no point in telling me about “I saw him suffering.” From this it is not love, but a desire to regret, nothing more. And he was not the only one who suffered.
Overall, I'll give it 6
\10.
If the series doubled timing, added events, revealed everyone adequately (I know about Ovashki and season 3, and this is not it. Everything should happen directly during the main plot), tightened up the direction and wrote good music - it would really be a very good series, but, alas, .
I’ll still watch season 3, but rather for show.
Good luck.
, Mitsutoshi Ogura
| Other TV networks: |
|---|
| Chiba TV, TV Saitama, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, AT-X, Tokyo MX TV, TV Aichi |
"Hakuouki Dai-isshou Kyoto Ranbu"
Hakuouki (Japanese: 薄桜鬼 Hakuo:ki, "Demons of Pale Cherry Blossom") is a series of video games originally developed by Idea Factory for the Playstation 2 platform and subsequently ported to the Playstation 3, Playstation Portable and Nintendo DS. Based Hakuouki An anime series of the same name was created at Studio Deen. Also based on the plot, two manga adaptations were released. The first season of the series is called Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan (Japanese: 薄桜鬼新選組奇譚 Hakuo:ki Shinsengumi Kitan, Demons of Pale Cherry: The Amazing Tale of the Shinsengumi), and second - Hakuouki: Hekketsu-roku (Japanese: 薄桜鬼碧血録 Hakuo:ki Hekketsuroku, Pale Cherry Demons: Blue Blood Records). Also on August 5, 2011, the first of six episodes of Hakuouki Sekkaroku (OVA) was released. The third season aired from July 9 to September 24, 2012. In 2013, 2 full-length anime films were announced.
Plot [ | ]
The story takes place in the mid-19th century, during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Changing moods of people and the clash of culture with Western civilization have made life more dangerous. The healer O Yukimura, who returned from Europe, disappeared without a trace, and his daughter Chizuru, disguised as a samurai, goes in search of him. On the very first day of her stay in the then capital, Kyoto, she falls into the hands of the Shinsengumi detachment. One day she is surprised to learn that her father is involved in the creation of this group.
Characters [ | ]
Chizuru Yukimura (Japanese: 雪村千鶴 Yukimura Chizuru) - the main character of the story, who came to Kyoto to find her missing father, Fr. She is in love with Hijikata, although she denies it in conversation with Senhime. She is a pure-blooded demon, but did not suspect this until Kazama told her.
Voiced by: Hoko Kuwashimaabout Yukimura (Japanese: 雪村綱道 Yukimura about:) - being an excellent specialist in medicine, by order of the shogunate he developed Ochimizu, a potion that increases the speed and strength of those who drink it. But over time, and this is the main side effect, the person abusing the use Ochimizu, transforms into a vampire-like monster called rasetsu. Died defending Chizuru.
Voiced by: Ryugo Saito
Toshizo Hijikata (Japanese: 土方歳三 Hijikata Toshizo:) - Vice-captain of the Shinsengumi. Among his nicknames Oni-fukucho(Demon Vice Commander) and Tosi. Toshizo is the one who is responsible for Chizura after she first encounters the Shinsengumi. He makes most of the decisions in the Shinsengumi. The members of the squad fear and respect him. He cares for Chizuru, often protecting her during battles; subsequently falls in love with the girl.
Voiced by: Shinichiro Miki
Souji Okita (Japanese: 沖田総司 Okita Souji) - Captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi and a brilliant swordsman. After the incident in Ikeda-ya, it turned out that he was sick with an incurable disease at that time - tuberculosis. Hoping to be cured of it and fight again at full strength, he becomes a Rasetsu by taking the Ochimizu serum given to him by Nagumo Kaoru. Subsequently, it turns out that tuberculosis cannot be cured with the help of otimizu. Being weakened by illness, he dies, having used up all the rasetsu capabilities available to his body, in battle protecting Hijikata and Chizuru.
Voiced by: Shotaro Morikubo Voiced by: Kosuke Toriumi
Nice Nagakura (Japanese: 永倉 新八 Nagakura Sympathy) - Captain of the Second Division of the Shinsengumi. He is usually very cheerful. His close friends are Harada and Heisuke. He is very skilled with a sword, but loves to drink, often breaking his curfew. After a quarrel with Isami Kondo, he leaves the Shinsengumi squad. Together with his old friend Cute Nagakura, Hogu Nobumichi, they formed the Seiheitai unit.
Voiced by: Tomohiro Tsuboi
Sanosuke Harada (Japanese: 原田左之助 Harada Sanosuke) - is the captain of the tenth division of the Shinsengumi. He is on friendly terms with Cute and Heisuke. Harada specializes in wielding a spear, but is also good with a sword. Died from mortal wounds while tracking down Rasetsu o.
Voiced by: zi Yusa
Kaoru Nagumo (Japanese: 南雲薫 Nagumo Kaoru) - at first appears before us as a beautiful girl, a copy of Tizuru. It is later revealed that this is a boy, actually Chizuru's twin brother. When they were little, they were separated. The father left with his daughter, and he was given the custody of the Nagumo clan. Since he was not a female demon, he was treated horribly. When Kaoru finally saw Chizuru (after they were older), she didn't even recognize him. It was he who gave the otimizu to Souji. Killed by Kazama.
Voiced by: Hasumi Ito
Chikage Kazama (Japanese: 風間千景 Kazama Chikage) - is an enemy of the Shinsengumi, a pure-blooded demon, like Chizuru. He sought out Chizuru because she is a female demon so that she would give birth to a strong pure demon (born from demon parents) from him. Killed by Toshizo Hijikata.
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda
Susumu Yamazaki (Japanese: 山崎 裾野 Yamazaki Susumu) - For the Shinsengumi he was a messenger and also a doctor. He was mortally wounded when he defended Hijikata. Having previously left for Chizuru a book with the medical histories of all Shinsengumi warriors.
Anime series [ | ]
Season 1: Shinsengumi Kitan
| № series |
Title | Broadcast in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital of Snow Flowers "Sekka no Miyako" (雪華の都) | April 4, 2010 |
| 2 | Seeds of discord "Do:ran no Hibuta" (動乱の火蓋) | April 11, 2010 |
| 3 | A flower that blooms at dusk "Yoyami ni Saku Hana" (宵闇に咲く華) | April 18, 2010 |
| 4 | Coming from the darkness "Yami yori Kuru Mono" (闇より来る者) | April 25, 2010 |
| 5 | Rival Blades "So:koku seshi Yaiba" (相克せし刃) | May 2, 2010 |
| 6 | Demon Life Thread "Oni no Meimyaku" (鬼の命脈) | May 9, 2010 |
| 7 | Shackles of Fate "Sikkoku no Ummei" (桎梏の運命) | May 16, 2010 |
| 8 | Fleeting dreams "Asaki Yumemishi" (あさきゆめみし) | May 23, 2010 |
| 9 | Traces of bloody slaughter "Shura no Wadachi" (修羅の轍) | May 30, 2010 |
| 10 | Where the bonds are "Kizuna no Yukue" (絆のゆくえ) | June 6, 2010 |
| 11 | Fallen "Koboreotiru Mono" (零れ落ちるもの) | June 13, 2010 |
| 12 | On the other end of the blade "Kengeki no Kanata" (剣戟の彼方) | June 20, 2010 |
Season 2: Hekketsu-roku
Possible Spoilers
Because in this case, there’s nowhere without them...
For some time now I have come to respect shojo. After viewing individual films, I was relieved to note that works of this genre are not always snotty, absurd and further removed from reality than tales from the Arabian Nights (for the number of storylines evokes pity and contempt, instead of good humor there is stupid fan service, complete absence of at least some valuable thoughts for the viewer, and most importantly - hello, paradox - real high-quality romance, for which, in fact, this genre was invented).
But in the case of “The Tale of the Shinsengumi,” another contradiction arises: in search of a golden mean between interest and benefit, the authors decided on a risky and perhaps the first experiment in anime - mixing shoujo and history. And this is where the problems started. The desire to please capricious spectators, greedy for mysticism and aesthetics, clearly and in many respects was at odds with the desire of the directors to show in color the role and significance of the legendary Wolves of Mibu in one of the most turbulent periods in the history of Japan - the fall of the shogunate with the coming rise to power of Meiji. Because the canons exist in both the first and second genres, it is necessary to comply with them, if possible, all of them, but the director did not take into account that the genres he chose to mix were actually polar ones. And therefore, the law of physics about the attraction of opposites will never fully work here. At some point, the plot will lose the common ground between both genres, and the viewer will get the strong impression that he is simultaneously watching two completely different films with the same characters. This, as we know, cannot but upset particularly ardent adherents of strict rules and historical integrity.
And yet, I would not rush to accuse the creators of freely handling the history of their own country. In the end, this is just an experiment, albeit not the most successful one. Against the general background of worthy films from a historical point of view, it is quite forgivable, if, moreover, we take into account the excellent graphics, generally competent direction and an exciting, although too filled with mystical events, plot. And one cannot but agree with the statements of other reviewers that an anime was made based on the game of the same name, and in games, if not everything, then a lot was always allowed.
And I will say, if a person, like me, has set himself the goal of enjoying a film, then he will receive it, first of all, by starting to perceive the series in one and only the most suitable and logical genre, namely: mystery/shoujo (“well, what this is already history, if conversations about demons and panaceas began to come to life, diluted with passionate glances and embarrassed silence of the main character and heroine!” If the soft blue haori and the sonorous names of great warriors do not give you any peace at all, like an eyesore, mentally add the magic “about” to the word “historical”. You will see, it will become much easier for you! In short, those who wanted to heard heard. At least start by trying all the remedies listed, and then it’s your choice.
Let's move on to the analysis of storylines, characters and technical parts.
As I understand it, most of the complaints were not so much about historical events as such (why bother, if the main ones are shown, the participants are all assembled, and even the dates are named), but about the embodiment of the images of the members of the Shinsengumi themselves and, in features, leading to their transformation into uncontrollable monsters. For me this is a completely separate song. For these are the Horrors of Kyoto's Dark Alleys! .. My mother, Toriblav crusniks! After all, crusberries are right up to the little finger! *author is hysterical*
Oh those unforgettable platinum hairs, even though they don’t stand on end! Oh those scarlet rat eyes! Oh this cry: “Let me drink your blood! "...
In a word, all fans of “Trinity Blood” who want to indulge in nostalgia – watch and don’t judge!
Perhaps there would have been less sarcasm in my reasoning if I had not been depressed by such blatant unoriginality. No, really! I've always considered Japanese character designers to be some of the most talented in the world of animation. And here is such blatant banality... If you’ve already taken up the hackneyed topic of split personality, then at least fantasize about your appearance! And, despite all their torment, these idiots did not evoke pity in me... What bothered me much more (and still worries me) was Soji’s completely natural and inevitable tuberculosis.
In general, for me these “rasetsu”, as for many, are not the most pleasant moment in the film. Not because I am so against such an interpretation in relation to “shinsen”, but solely because of the stereotyped nature of these images themselves.
On top of that, I didn’t quite understand one reviewer’s thesis that there weren’t enough fights in the series. For me, the viewer is stuffed with battles, starting from the second episode, and, happily, they alternate between large-scale battles and duels. And although I watched “The Tale” twice, for the life of me I don’t remember an episode where they could do with only idyllic sketches from Chizuru’s life at the Shinsengumi headquarters, with the possible exception of the first episode. Maybe there are not as many of them as the commentator would like, but isn’t this compensated for by individual intrigues and squabbles between clans? In the end, this is still not shonen or martial arts, so I think the number of battles is quite sufficient.
Next, the characters.
The brave guys were quite pleased. If we do not take into account the main character, then most of the others behave in peacetime typically for shojo heroes, which, however, does not prevent them from showing themselves at the right moment as true warriors, successfully reflecting all my ideas about what they should have been members of the Shinsengumi.
I’ll say something about Hijikata separately. I admit, I’m even somewhat glad that I had the opportunity to meet him not in the game, but in the anime. In the game, for me personally, it is unacceptable even in external terms, because Sebastian Michaelis, wearing the cast-offs of Lelouch/Kaname, with a katana like a regiment commander - this is something beyond my perception... Although, I'm afraid, in the second season I am with this miracle I will still encounter the richest author’s imagination, but on the other hand, I will be left with the impression of the first season, which is quite capable of serving as an antidote and not turning me away from the long-awaited continuation.
Okay, now it makes sense. Finally, I came across a shojo where the main character is, for once, adequate and serious, because the historical situation obliges him (another point that can justify in my eyes the tortured union of history and romance). Neither a snotty infantile sexist nor an ambitious schizophrenic, Toshiji Hijikata is quite capable of withstanding competition with his equally charismatic and brave subordinates for Chizuru’s attention. In the end, the main character is the main one, to be a model for everyone else, an example to follow. And, perhaps, with the predominance of such main characters in other shojo anime, fans will finally stop brushing aside canon pairings like an annoying fly and gaze in fascination at secondary, but somehow more interesting and entourage contenders. About Chizuru: I definitely like how shoujo heroines evolve in their development! Throughout the series, her behavior fit organically into the general atmosphere of the plot: she listened to what she was told and provided all possible, but unobtrusive help. It is unlikely that she could be blamed for excessive curiosity, since she was only interested in issues related to her father and, to a large extent, to herself. She had the right to know about them, so I considered some of her meticulousness to be natural.
I liked the classic and long-awaited triangle: the main villain and the main hero fight for the heroine. Still, in the average shojo, rivalry is usually between positive knights, which, in fact, complicates the choice. And then suddenly they decided to remember the classics... well, it’s quite appropriate, I want to say.
However, if we already touched on the villains, then to my great disappointment, the usual format of “the leader sucks, the servants are awesome” was turned upside down: only the leader, Kazama, looked colorful (this is understandable, after all, a potential contender for the hand and Chizuru's heart). His henchmen looked a lot like the heroes of American comic books (Spider-Men, Wolverines and other Otters...), which my seven-year-old cousin is so fond of. But, you must admit, this anime was clearly planned for a different age category, and such “American bad guys”, among the other atmosphere of everything Japanese, looked somehow... inappropriate, “neither to the village nor to the city,” as they say. One of the enemies that Saito’s opponent, the fattest and most terrible, finally finished off with his touching speeches a la “I don’t want to fight with you, oh worthy one!” "Next to him, Sailor Moon turns pale nervously and hides behind her friends XDDDDDDDDDDDD
But since most of the time we are shown just “Kazama vs. Hijikata”, then the servants can be stupidly ignored until the next clash of each of them with his opponent.
In general, most of the characters will be able to charm you, or at least amuse you, because the writers have endowed some of them with a simply amazing sense of humor
The graphics, of course, are at their best, but in my opinion, in some scenes they went too far with special effects, which made the situation lose its naturalness and was perceived as scenery in a neo-theater, but this did not happen very often. Overall, this series is really worth watching, if only for the graphics.
But there are no complaints about the musical accompaniment, and my acquaintance with this anime came from the fact that I sat down to translate
opening (I just finished watching “The Tale of the Land of Colored Clouds,” where the song began with the word “wind.” “Oh,” I think, “both about the wind and here about the wind!”) Everyone criticizes him for being pop, but I constantly hear tragic notes in it and, in my opinion, the song perfectly conveys Chizuru’s attitude towards Hijikata. For me, this is a worthy compensation for the lack of a large number of romantic scenes.
Finally, the most difficult thing is the main idea.
According to the Chinese curse, the worst thing a person can expect is to live in an era of change. For many reasons. Including such as the consignment of previous ideals to oblivion and the destruction or violent change of goals that were for you the meaning of your whole life. Moreover, these changes happen so quickly that you can hardly believe in tomorrow and you yourself don’t really know your role in this whole chaotic show. Today you are a zealot for order in Kyoto, tomorrow a supporter of the shogunate, the day after tomorrow a crazy conservative obstructing the development of your country. All self-proclaimed liberals look down on you, as if you were something incomprehensible, for which there is no name or application. And you can’t help the fact that from a young age you naively believed in these ideals and grew up with a firm conviction of their immutability. And suddenly, in this terrible border period between one era and another, it turns out that they all turned out to be an absolute lie. Everything that was in inextricable connection with you and your ancestors for more than one century simply took up and disappeared into an endless series of senseless strife and intrigue. And you became just another puppet in them, thinking that until the last you defended what you believed in. So is there really nothing left? Or maybe there is something left that is higher than all these ideals, fickle and changeable,
How's the spring weather? Concepts of true honor, courage, loyalty, for example? The realization that there is nothing more important than the lives of ordinary citizens, who are far from all these political intricacies and want only peace and stability in the country? Perhaps all this, and not at all the form of government, was defended in battles by the Shinsengumi, Wolves from Mibu, Sakura Demons, samurai in the highest sense of the word?..
But what is most valuable to me is the fact that these thoughts and questions were reflected not in a samurai action movie, where nothing is seen or heard because of the clanking of blades and rapid body movements, not in a historical drama, in which they are simply lost for n - a large number of events, dates and names, and in shojo - a genre that I recently treated condescendingly, considering its films frivolous and incapable of carrying something valuable for the viewer, making him think and feel for real. I mentioned “Land of Colored Clouds” for a reason, because in terms of depth and spiritual importance I will compare “The Tale of the Demons of Sakura” with it, although both the first and second anime are pure shoujo. But, in my opinion, this is how shojo should be, to give viewers something else besides handsome men and love relationships.
And, in my opinion, “The Tale of the Demons of Sakura” completely coped with this task, for which it receives 9/10 from me.
And if shoujo is truly destined to be the genre for anime like this, I'm sure I won't be the only one who will respect the genre soon!