Shigurui

This epic historical anime about conflict goes beyond the medium itself. I will try to be objective with my limited abilities. Hiroshi Hamasaki the genius behind Technolyze decided to adapt the first thirty two chapters of shigurui before giving up the project entirely. Now why watch an incomplete series, anyone might wonder. This partial attempt at adapting one of the most dramatic stories ever told is one of those rare instances where its failure to completion can be seen as a greater achievement than most successful adaptations of other stories out there. The literary scope of this project alone merits a one time viewing. The content maybe quite distasteful to some but I would quietly urge the casual viewer to please NOT simply take in the graphic violence at face value and instead look at them as symbols to what may unravel the conflict between the two principal antagonists. Unlike most hero worshiping stories out there, this story has no heroes, only villains with a unique sense of morality and justice. These are stories that can be endlessly dissected and with every viewing this new found perspective can serve aid you decipher a little of that vast unknowable known as Japan. The style of the anime is very decadent. And very much like the politics of Japan during the Edo period - was vastly tumultuous. This story serves as an allegory to that time period through the choices its antagonists makes and its consequences they eventually face. The anime has flawlessly taken in the elements, details and nuances from the manga, and taken it to the next level. The greatest achievement in my opinion was the foreshadowing of the events to come were executed to perfection, like a well aged single malt whiskey. These details can only be noted from repeated viewing. I have watched many animes in my thirty three years of existence, but at that moment when I finished watching the 12 episodes and then later eventually finishing the manga, I have never felt more alive and relevant. In conclusion - WATCH IT NOW!

Shigurui: death frenzy captivated me from the first episode. It's a slow burner, but every second is tense. The score is blended it to every aspect of it and sets the mood for every scene. I found myself having to rewind many times to understand the scene that goes by quickly, but the show rewards you paying attention. It's beautifully crafted and makes you feel like you're in ancient Japan. I don't know how this show isn't rated higher, maybe because it isn't your mainstream action packed anime. It is a mature, graphic and bloody tale that quite literally moves to the beat of its own drum. Yet it never lacks in pacing. If ghost of tsushima and basilisk ninja scrolls had a lovechild it would be this. 10/10.

This is a dark and gritty series with none of the fluff that typical anime includes in order to cater to younger viewers. Its strong points are its unique animation, understated score, and pervasive mood. The animation is stylistic and highly detailed. The action and pace are slow and deliberate, so that the animation really focuses on the details of the scene. This type of animation looks like it could be the inspiration behind some of the recent American motion comics, like Iron Man Extremis, which I really enjoyed. The score is also carefully paced and understated, combining with the art to set the perfect mood of darkness and despair.

Sounds pretty good so far right? Well the story and plot are fairly straightforward and simplistic. There's nothing blatantly wrong with them, no cheesy plot-fillers like in the early episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist. It's just that there's nothing that unique about the story (one stoic samurai seeking honor, another ambitious samurai seeking power), and not many surprises or strategies to the plot (of which Death Note was the pinnacle). Additionally, the plot jumps multiple time lines, making it a challenge to keep up with the story.

But despite the slight flaws in the simplistic plot and story lines, the art is definitely worth checking out if you want to see something innovative and have the patience to stick with the deliberate pace of the series.

...it would be called Shigurui Death Frenzy.

This thing is a very atmospheric horror samurai tale. The baroque approach reminds me of Lynch on occasion, and the bloody and nasty violence certainly recall the icky tactile gore of Richard Laymon's books and some of Takashi Miike's best known work.

The narrative is not straight forward and there is a fair amount of ambiguity, so this is not thoughtless action fare. Typically, when things get this violent in anime (nc-17 kind of stuff), the creators have far lower aspirations than did the makers of Shigurui-- this is bold experimentation with the medium and dark/perverse storytelling. (Yoshiaki Kawajiri is involved, the man best known for Ninja Scroll and Highlander and Wicked City, but should be best known for directing the X TV series, which is the most nuanced and beautifully navigated television show of the last decade in any format).

Anyways, Shigurui is structurally diverse, very dark, graphic, engrossing and disturbing (really, there's some unsettling stuff here, not just 'blood fountains'). It compares to Berserk, though is more experimental and darker. Really.

When i've seen shigurui 1 episode, i was hooked. If you wont, then don't bother to watch whole thing - its not for you. This anime is really hard to follow, the story is jumping to past and present and in between... So you really have to concentrate on what is going on or even read out in the internet parts you don't get, ...but in the end it's totally worth it. This is one of best experience the anime can give you, and after watching anime 3 times or so and not knowing how this will end, I've read the manga and it's GREAT. And now I can't wait for the next chapter or the season 2 of anime... This anime is not for kids, nor for women, it's for people who admire Japanese culture and samurai.. Here you wont see stupid pop culture junk, like women samurais, or fast hitting katana to katana, as if that is the way of sword fighting. Katana is one-strike blade and that's how it is done here in shigurui. The story is slow but very deep. It's about concentration and will power. It's about overcoming obstacles and defending honor. Truly The best Manga and Anime ever, if you wont "get it" , that would be sad. And I just hate people writing bad reviews about this masterpiece, because they don't get it, because they enjoy watching stupid stupid childish pointless animes suitable only for children. There are only 2 superior animes really worth watching: Shigurui and Death Note. That is it.