Search - Samurai Deeper Kyo - Sea of Trees (Vol. 3) on DVD

A Surfeit of Battles

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 12/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This has been a 'samurai' series with quite a few odd twists. So I was a bit surprised that this DVD actually returns to the mainstream. That is, lots of fights with people making fighting moves that require shouting out strange names like 'bug eating loon' (I made that up). In retrospect, it is pretty well done, but in a story that hands out complexity like popcorn. The more character development, the better. In this set of episodes, most characters develop in the context of their battles, which can be a bit confusing.The primary source of opponents is the Jyunishinshou clan. In normal Japanese legend these were 12 generals who guarded the Buddha. But in this alternate history they are kenyou (monsters) who carry out the wishes of their lord. Everybody gets to fight them, and they don't always lose. They, and Kyo are in a desperate race to find Kyo's real body. Who wins will determine the fate of the world.In addition Sasuke Sarutobe makes his real debut with his own Muramasa blade. Sasuke has appeared so far as a ninja in the service of Yukimore Sanada. Now he moves into center stage as a full player. Of course, he challenges Kyo to find out whose Muramasa is Tenrou, on of the 'true' Muramasa's. After a spectacular fight the two men settle into an uneasy truce, as Sasuke undertakes to lead Kyo to the Sea of Trees.The pieces I haven't quite fit together is that this series is the retelling of Ieyasu Tokugawa's rise to power, and the aftermath of those events. Everyone bad and good is taking part in a story that is part history and part invented legend. All of this is to a purpose, but it has yet to come completely clear. It may take more familiarity with the Shogunate's history to catch all the references. The liner notes do their best, but sometimes they make things even more complex. This series continues to be intriguing on many levels. But I have to repeat an earlier warning. The dubbing is horrid, Mostly due to the compulsive use of heavy accents to differential character types. I found the English so hard to listen to that I gave up and stuck with the Japanese and subtitles. I suggest you do the same."

Great DVD!

mdizzog | USA | 02/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This dvd is great, although not as good as the last. They go to the sea of trees. There aren't any plot twists, but there are a lot of fights. There is still a story. We also get to see an episode for Benitora. This dvd has the best animation to date though. The battles are also clever. One more thing... Mahiro doesn't make that much of an appearence. You know what they say, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. 5 stars though. 5 stars."