Customer Reviews

Basilisk: The Complete Series (Viridian Collection)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So what does it ake to get one such as me to recommend the umpteenth version of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale of star-crossed lovers when every avenue has been explored? Three words: just add ninjas. Actually, that's not fair. This is no mere family feud. This is a brutal conflict between ninja clans in the aftermath of the Warring States period of ancient Japan. This anime is based on a manga which was based on a 1958 Japanese novel which was also adapted into an excellent live action film, Shinobi - Heart Under Blade. In it, the Tokugawa Shogunate invites the Iga and Kouga ninja clans to decide which of the shogun's grandchildren will succeed him. The contest: a 20-man/woman battle to the death. This is complicated by the fact that Hattori Hanzo'a cease-fire pact between the two competing clans has kept them from each other's throats while both have been in service to the Shogunate. But with the country unified, what use is there for two clans of spies and assassins anymore? The conflict between Kouga and Iga had been long and bloody and now all of the the tension was set to explode. 10 people from each side, last man or woman standing determines the victor and the shogun's successor. But the complications are complicated by yet another factor. The successor to the Iga clan's leadership, a beautiful but unskillful girl named Oboro is set to wed the Kouga clan's successor, Gennosuke, in an attempt to permanently heal the old wounds. And now with the government has gone and ordered the two clans to slaughter one another once again. What's a warrior of the shadows in love to do?

If you thought Ninja Scroll was something, then prepare to be blown away. This is one of the best anime series out there. Period. The characters are memorable, the supernatural ninjitsu powers are utilized to outstanding ends, the art is wonderful to look upon, and the story is as heart-rending, beautiful, and violent as it is action-packed. You really get to know the 20 shinobi warriors (double the film's cast) before they meet their invariably gruesome demises. You feel every single death and every one of them is a devastating blow to Oboro and Gennosuke's relationship. Ancient hatreds boil over and old grudges kept hidden are brought back to the forefront as the two clans battle their way to the palace where the survivor(s) will decide who is named the next shogun and the infighting in the government can end.

Each warrior in "Basilisk" has a unique personality and a supernatural power they wield. There's Saemon who can imtiate the voice and appearance of anyone, his tomboy sister Okoi who can suck the blood through skin-to-skin contact -making sexuality her most devastating weapon, the villainous Tenzen -host to a parasite that grants him immortality, and my favorite, Hotarubi, who can summon up a swarm of beautiful incandescent butterflies and keeps a trained venomous snake up her sleeve just to name a few. As the plot unfolds we learn about all of the relationships within each clan and get chances to see both sides of the story. An episode focusing on the peaceful days of the two clans is truly revealing and drives home that the characters are not simply one-dimensional killing machines, but caring individuals who were happy playing with little Oboro as a child or fishing at the creek before all this happened. Only when driven into this conflict do murderous intentions begin to arise and once the killing starts, there is brutal vengeance all around. The time taken to craft and add meaning to these characters' lives is part of what makes this a cut above any other ninja anime out there.

The anime's finale is very different from the film's and far superior. The end of the carnage brings a certain happy release to both the viewer and remaining characters and is damn romantic in my opinion. Like any good Shakespearean tale, "Basilisk" ends with a lot of corpses, but also a feeling of having experienced a masterful story that was perfectly paced and as satisfying as they come. Anybody who hasn't seen it should, and the same should be said for "Shinobi". This is the furthest thing from animated cartoons for children; this is just amazing entertainment in any form.

This show has alot of good and alot of bad in it. For starters, I was incredibly pleased with the creativity of it all. The Ninjas have really cool, unique abilities such as lethal body hair, blood-sucking touch, and one guy is an armless, legless astrologer with a tongue like a Chameleon and a knife he hides in his own freaking throat! The story is good and loaded with espionage. During the first 5 episodes, theres a monsterous heap of spectacular action scenes and top-notch animation. It also helps the intrigue of the show that it relates to factual historical events.

Unfortunately, after episode 5, action scenes become scarce and disappointingly breif. Also, animation quality drops, theres almost no comedic relief whatsoever and

**WARNING! SPOILER WITHIN THIS BRACKET** --> [[[four of the most important characters in the story loose/impair their eyesight, making the antics of these people very boring]]]

One last tick-off this show provides is Tenzen. He rapes, tortures and is one of the most loathsome villians I have ever seen (which DOES make it all the more satisfying when he finally gets what he deserves... still, Tenzen is such a gnarly villian that re-watching certain episodes calls for keeping one finger on the Fast Forward button...

After a few moments I started watching the anime,I realized I saw the story before in the movie"Shinobi".And I have to admit I like the anime soooo much better!You actually have time to understand what's going on,who the characters are and what's the motivation for their actions.It starts kinda slow and boring,but after a few episodes,it gets very serious,deep and intense.I really enjoyed it,and if you like anime,I am sure you will enjoy this one too.It's worth your time and money.

This is one of my favourite anime series. There is a deep hatred between two ninja clans which has been fostered for hundreds of years. Now, a "no hostilities" pact between the clans had been nullified and the clans allowed to war with eachother. The leaders of the two clans however are deeply in love with each other and are both torn between what they feel their duty to their clans are, and what their clans feel their duty to them is. Although the story line can be predictable at times, there are continuous twists. The action sequences are amazing and there is a good chance of becoming attached to manhy of the characters. Deep and dynamic the whole way through. This is definitly an ADULT anime series and I would not reccomend it for younger teens. Enjoy!!!

This is a truely awesome series even if your not a fan of anime, the action and story great and has some of the best quality when it comes to art that I have ever seen when it comes to anime, this is an instant classic and cult hit which can easily be compared with great anime like Ninja Scroll and Akira.

I love love love the story line. It's Romeo and Juliet, meets ninjas and shogun! I'd recommend this to any anime lover. I'd say this is a must have series. It's entertaining and it makes for a good series to watch with friends or a significant other. ^.~ Although, I think the only thing I have negative to say about it, was I was expecting something else for the ending, but all in all a good anime.

This is a sci-fi/action/ninja/dramdic anime, you get each "Ninja" with each there own ability, You get these "Ninja" Devided in to waring factions, you get alot of Violence, Alot of blood guts and gore and you get alot of adult Situations. You can add in a mild love story, Guy from one clan is in love with Girl from another clan in witch both clans are at war kinda like Romeo and Juliet but with a action/ninja twist with a pinch of sci-fi.

The story goes on and on and on but the action keeps you watching and then when your done watching you have to watch it again because you missed somthing.

Over all this is a Pleasing Ninja Anime almost as good as Ninja Scroll(The movie).

This Graphics in the Animations are outstanding, but the storyline is too brief. It is a good value for the price, but this series could have been made longer to allow the characters enough time to build the sub-plots.

great charater development the charaters really made you get attached. each episode left me really wanting to see the next. one of the other reviews said this was ruthless and brutal but i mean its a ninja anime. the scences of rape were actually as tasteful as the scence could be no nudity. this is a masterpiece it has something many animes dont a begining middle and end not neccicarily in that order but it has them. if you liked ninja scroll but wished it was longer then buy this right now.

its very pretty, the fight sequences are very cool... its PRETTY. The story is extremely typical, very predictable, and unsatisfying. What is the hype? I'm just not seeing it.

It was typical. Pretty, if you want to see a lot of cool fight scenes then by all means, but if you want some innovative beautiful creative story line, look elsewhere, this doesn't have it.