Fenrin wrote: |
My favorite Sengoku period story is not an anime but a little drama called Nobunaga no Chef, after the manga of the same name. It strays a bit from the manga but they are both enjoyable in their own ways. |
The manga is so good, such incredible shame it's not officially translated....but given the difficulty of translating that type of media properly because of countless historical references and high-level culinary vocabulary, it's not even surprising
That aside, how did this review manage to miss the best of the best when it comes to the Warring States-themed anime, or media in general, which is Rurouni Kenshin Tsuiokuhen??
I'm having a hard time believing how this one didn't make the list, when it should be at the very top of it D:
In the manga, Nobuhiro Watsuki describes Kenshin's past that's full of strife and hardship, but with a touch of comedy to help tone down the entire seriousness of the situation. Studio DEEN abolished what little comedy Watsuki went with and, along with flawless animation, a unique art style, and a beautifully composed soundtrack by Taku Iwasaki, Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen is an ideal example of as close to perfection as one can get.
RK Tsuiokuhen takes a darker and more grim approach to its presentation than the TV adaptation. The first and most notable change from the TV series is the depiction of the various sword styles and their employment in the scenes, as well as realistic blood splatter. While the TV series emphasizes the effect and abilities of the techniques of these styles, Tsuiokuhen brings realistic swordplay into its story. Another noticeable changeover is the expressions of its characters: although in the TV series these characters are serious but still have comedic tendencies, all this is removed in these OVAs, leaving a serious tone for its story. In addition to these changes, Tsuiokuhen also has more of an emphasis on its setting through its animation. It is undeniably Japan under the Tokugawa Regime, the banners of the Samurai, rags worn by the slaves, and everything down to the buildings and clothes.
And that's just the animation side of things...
Surprising though it may be, it’s really incredibly rare to find a samurai anime that is actually good. As far as the samurai genre goes, Akira Kurosawa pretty much closed the book with 1954’s “Seven Samurai” and since then, is seems as if whenever anyone attempts to tackle the genre, there exists a mysterious force that compels them to strip away any and all sense of authenticity and add in superpowers, vampires, aliens, or hip-hop (but Champloo is still a very good show regardless).
But it's one of the reasons why Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen is so refreshing, it daringly tackles the story of young samurai-turned-assassin Himura Kenshin in the turbulent era of the Meiji Revolution with such bleak realism and solemnity that it’s really hard to believe it originated from a shonen manga. In short: Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen is a masterpiece in the sincerest sense of the word; a true work of art that not only shatters the boundaries of the samurai genre but also what it is possible to achieve in an animated work.
As for the most recent adaptation of the manga...I feel the original material did not age well (unlike the OVA), and this adaptation doesn't bring anything to the table that would make it worth the watch. The one good side is that we will be seeing all of the source material adapted, for better or for worse...