Samurai Flamenco

It is difficult to review this show without spoilers, but I will do my best. It is a show that is best the less you know about it, which makes it extra difficult.

The synopsis for this show is that Hazama Masayoshi is a wannabe hero. He has trained for a lot of his life to become a real-life Kamen Rider (or, in this universe Red Axe or Harakiri Sunshine). Unfortunately, he completely sucks. He gets his butt kicked by everyone, and what victories he does win are for completely insignificant things like not taking out your trash before trash day officially starts at midnight.

However, it is quickly proved that although many regard this behavior as borderline insanity, he is, on some level, right. Japan's lack of concern over small crimes has made the country less-than-palatable on an everyday level. Samurai Flamenco is here to right the wrongs, no matter how big or small, and, over time, he grows into a hero worthy of the Kamen Rider/Power Rangers/Voltron legacy.

Samurai Flamenco is a show that never stops building on itself. It has gone many places, and always remembered its roots. Whatever you may know about the show going in, I think every episode has been important, going forward.

At the beginning this show is really good and interesting. Its funny and creative and I enjoyed it. The problem is that it quickly runs out of ideas and becomes somewhat aimless.

I'm surprised that I liked this show but I have a feeling I like it for completely different reasons than most. Essentially, the only premise that can be mentioned is the protagonist's obsession with being a hero despite not having any special powers or a firm grasp on reality... so it would seem.

What hooked me on this show was all of the subtle nuance humor that got be busting a gut completely out of left field. They've mastered the anti-climax in the scripts, and it makes the show profoundly entertaining. It will keep you watching in marathons, which is a hallmark of a great show in my opinion.

The premise isn't at all enticing in my view, but the execution was done well enough that I endure the repetitiveness of certain character traits and monologues because the surprise humor is just that good.

Best of all, it's available for free on cruchyroll, a Playstation 3 free service (no affiliation or subscription by the author of this review)

It is really difficult to categorize Samurai Flamenco. It is a parody, but it is a very subtle one. Despite being a hero show, it is not an action anime.

The anime starts slow, but the craziness soon fall into the show. It has so many plot twists that is really difficult to figure it out what will happen at the next episode. Despite the craziness of the story, it is a very focused anime in the underlying message: what happens behind the scenes at hero stories and the deconstruction of anime clichés. In that point this anime is one of the best.

If you like plot twists and crazy stories, do not care for action, and like a really subtle and intelligent comedy; you are in for a treat!

Let me break it down for you. If you're up for a realistic take on modern day heroes (think of a light-hearted version of Kick-Ass), then the first 7 episodes of this anime are a spectacular treat! But if you like over-the-top, clichéd battles and superheros then you're going to love the last half of this anime. If you like both types then you're probably going to love this show all around. But for those who don't BEWARE! If you hate unexpected plot turns that throw out originality for a steaming dollop of uncreative plot devices, then this is not the show for you (at least past ep 7 that is). If you're one who hates modern day setups and craves mindless action, then you're going to think the first half of this show is boring.

Either you love the beginning and hate where it ends up, or you hate the beginning and love the direction it takes. There is no inbetween.

First half: 8.5/10 Second half: 5/10 Overall: 6/10