Product Details

• Actors: Artist Not Provided
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: Japanese, English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Funimation Prod
• DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Run Time: 550 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001DN0URQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,268 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Anime & Manga > Characters & Series > Basilisk

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
All the episodes that complete the epic story at a great low price!

The Kouga and the Iga, two ninja clans with four hundred years of hostilities between them, meet at the request of Lord Ieyasu. There they learn that the peace forced upon them is to be broken by the whim of royalty, and that the outcome of this battle will determine the next Shogun. The passions of the past quickly reignite as two scrolls are sent out into the night.

Ill-fated is this event indeed, for lovers stand with hands entwined as travesty approaches on the wings of a hawk. Reared from birth as sworn enemies, Gennosuke and Oboro, each the heir of these rival clans, seek lasting peace between their peoples. But the terms have been set, and two lists seal their destinies. Two lists from which a name can only be crossed out in blood.

No mercy will be spared to the enemy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An anime masterpiece, September 29, 2008

By	trashcanman (Hanford, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best animes ever, July 6, 2009

By	Stephen E. Hall "Steve332" (GA usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I dont get the hype..., January 31, 2009

By	Dharma "Dharma Wild" (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

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.