Search - Basilisk: The Complete Series (Viridian Collection) on DVD

An anime masterpiece

trashcanman | Hanford, CA United States | 09/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.
"

A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION

MONSTRO702 | LAS VEGAS AND IRAQ | 08/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Love/hate relationship with this show

HVmetalman | Kansas, USA | 04/19/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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..."

Awesome box set!

AnnaPanda | 11/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."