Posted by OP Sequence
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OP: 「精霊飛来」 (Seirei Hirai) by 小野大輔 & 柿原徹也 (Ono Daisuke & Kakihara Tetsuya)
Watch the OP: Streaming ▼
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「運命のふたり」 (Unmei no futari)
“The Destined Pair”
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter who the studio is, who the voice actors are, or what the pedigree behind a show is. All it takes is for a series to feature some of my favorite genres (like BRAVE10’s Sengoku era swordplay) to guarantee that I will be giving it a chance.
Drawing inspiration from the Edo era story Sanada Ten Braves, much of the premise was quickly laid down in this premier episode without a second wasted. Kirigakure Saizou (Ono Daisuke) is no plucky inexperienced youth only beginning in his ninja gaiden – he is a powerful and feared Iga assassin who just happens to run into Isanami (Satou Rina), a shrine maiden who is the sole survivor of a massacre at her temple. Already I’ve taken a liking to these two who are ostensibly the “destined pair” of the episode title. OnoD is fantastically adept at playing anti-heroes and Saizou is no exception with his large Zanbatou, ronin attitude, and plethora of named-moves. As for Isanami, although she’s your basic damsel-in-distress, she is an exception in that she doesn’t let her recent past affect her cheery demeanor like so many others do, at least until her hopes were dashed. It was like a breath of fresh air to see that even though she wants Saizou’s protection in order safely find Sanada Yukimura (Morikawa Toshiyuki) and ask for assistance, she never comes off as too clingy. She knows that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
The common trope of a major character being introduced via a fight isn’t subverted here, but it really gives a chance for Saizou to show off his skills with one of Sanada’s master ninjas, Sarutobi Sasuke (Kakihara Tetsuya) and marks the beginning of a rivalry that I will be looking forward to as well. As for Sanada himself, I was slightly disappointed that he was no longer portrayed as a red leather jacket wearing youngster (OYAKATA-SAMA!), but rather as a calculating leader who uses Isanami and Saizou as bait in order to see her mysterious deadly power for himself. And like all good leaders, he delegates the work instead of doing it all himself, realizing that he needs as many heroes as he has fingers to keep Isanami safe from the perpetrators of the shrine massacre.
Studio Sakimakura has done a commendable job animating the quick ninja fights and giving off that all-important shounen vibe. The visuals have been a little dark for my tastes so far, but that’s when ninjas do their best work so I can’t complain (unless I have a death wish). Even though the names for Saizou’s moves are completely unintelligible to me, it doesn’t stop me from looking forward to seeing of all the characters’ unique powers. From next week’s preview, it looks like the new female characters could either be new recruits for Sanada’s Braves, or they could be aligned with the man responsible for the shrine massacre. In either case, we’ll probably find out more about who exactly our antagonist is and possibly shed some light into the mystery of the jewel on Isanami’s hairclip. More hints of a romance between the main pair wouldn’t hurt either since she’s already found her way into Saizou’s room and futon. I’m not sure yet if my schedule will allow me to continue blogging this show, but seeing BRAVE10’s fun take on Sengoku ninjas has convinced me to at least carve out some time each week for the next episode.
* Full-length image: 05.
ED Sequence
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ED: 「艶男。-adeosu-」 (Adeosu. -adeosu-) by ADAPTER.
Watch the ED: Streaming ▼
Preview
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Nice review. Liking it so far.
I knew that if boy take this show screens will be only with girls -_-
First time I’ve ever watched an anime set in the Sengoku period, and it defeiently won’t be the last after this.
A pleasant surprise so far
This episode was really nice! The action was cool, the drawing is cool, characters are nice too. Finally a not so whoreish female character wich is a major plus for me 😛
Too bad it’ll only last for 12 eps in total 🙁
Ah…I thought you would have put the screencap where Isanami asks for food. That was undeniably cute.
It’s a nice start to what seem to be typical shounen otherwise. Doesn’t stop me from following this one though, since it’s pretty entertaining already.
Now that I’ve read your review and how you gave it positive remarks, I’ll definitely watch it!
I’m getting Studio DEEN vibes?? I have to say, I’ve never heard of Studio Sakimakura :O
NOCTIS!!!
Sorry I couldn’t help it! xD
This is one of my favorite show this season
When I saw a picture for this series, I assumed it was some sort of shoujo reverse-harem.
Guess I was wrong. Will check this out when/if I find time. Thanks for bloggin it.
Thanks for blogging the 1st episode! Hope you will continue to do so:D
It is an interesting series! Believe that everyone else will come to enjoy it too(:
Wow this was a pleasant surprise.I wasn’t going to watch this but I gave it a try because of Noctis wannabe.
And I ended up having more fun watching this 1st episode than the 12 eps of Guilty Crown.
Errr… is Isanami the transported back in time lovechild of Chidory and Tessa?
Wow, was versus 13 released early?
Anyways, I’m not too keen on following this as of the first episode, so I’ll probably wait a few eps and read your blog posts before deciding if I should pick it up again. The first episode wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, since I was expecting Rurouni Kenshin-like sword fighting/choreography, and the reason for “gathering 10 heroes” felt a bit forced.
is this reverse Harem?
No
Too bad this show didn’t make RC’s review list. It’s fantastic!!!
I was going to blog it, but I had to prioritize. I’m already taking on more shows than I would like this season. I might have to drop some too, depending on how things go. (More on this later.)
don’t overwork yourself love the site an enjoy lurking reading your blogs
So let me get this straight…
You wake up next to a half-naked hottie under your bed sheet and what do you do?! You punched her away…!!!
Only in the anime world. In the real world, any man would have dive straight in and not stop thrusting til Heaven fall from the sky or pass out from exhaustion, which ever come first.
yeah yr also man
But what if the half-naked hottie is YOUR MOM? D: THE HORROR!
Joking aside, this seems like a basic action comedy setting. I’ll give it 4 episodes before I decide to continue.
Saizou does look like Noctis with his hairstyle and clothing 🙂 now all we need is a change in personality and weapon and all is complete 😛
I ♥ Isanami’s voice actress. She sounds naturally cute, not annoying 🙂
Isanami’s hot 😀
Until she screams and behaves like a weapon of mass destruction.
This show shared a high resemblance to Demon Eyes Kyo…
MAybe a like Sengoku Basara in there.
Interestingly, after googling a bit, Show Spoiler ▼
I’d rather not have that happen, but it always makes for a dramatic end!
This is 1000 times better than that shitty Samurai Girls show. Many a times I have endured “Hey you watch that Samurai Girls show right?” Because my IGN is Hyakkaryouran.