Title: Shigurui
Episodes: 12
Company: Madhouse
Genre(s): Action, Drama
Air Dates: 19 July 2007
Synopsis: In 1633, the Shogun has declared that a combat tournament take place and famous swordsmen from around Japan all travel to the palace to take part. The structure of the tournament is set up so that fights are a duel to the death, which suits the first combatants of the tournament just fine due to their past history with one another. Fujiki Gennosuke had been an assistant swordmaster at the Kogan Ryuu Dojo and the one to succeed as the Headmaster until he was unseated by Irako Seigen, an upstart who successfully bested Fujiki in combat. Fujiki’s dethroning triggers the start of a bitter rivalry which would result in much bloodshed and can only be satisfied by the other’s complete annihilation.
Pros:
- Excellent animation during the combat sequence
- Atmosphere is very absorbing
- Characters are pretty well-developed
Cons:
- None of the characters are particularly likable
- Plot’s pace is very slow, moving as quickly as molasses at times
- Conflict between the two rivals don’t really get resolved
