Search - Samurai Deeper Kyo, Vol. 4 - Nobunaga's Ambition on DVD

Free For All

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 02/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The battle of Sekigahara was, from the viewpoint of Japanese history, an apocalyptic struggle. Traditional weapons faced guns and mortars on an inconceivable scale for the first time, and an old form of government was washed away with the uniting of Japan under one sword, that of the Tokugawa Shogunate. While many things did happen during the battle, Samurai Deeper Kyo adds one more - a swordfight between two of Japan's greatest fighters Mibu Kyoshira and Demon Eyes Kyo. Kyo lost, but not by very much, and the fight ended when a meteor struck the combatants and sealed their spirits into one body. Kyoshiro left the battlefield, his memory in tatters, to take up life as a wandering apothecary.As any viewer would know, temporary truces like this never last, and a series of traumatic events brings Kyo back into consciousness - determined to regain his own body and take vengeance on the only man to beat him. The first part of this series follows Kyo on his quest, as he gathers his own followers about him and confronts another who seeks the use of Kyo's body - Oda Nobunaga, who preceded Ieyasu Tokugawa down the path to Japan's control. This DVD documents this confrontation, Kyo's struggle for his own consciousness, and an unexpected challenge from someone he trusted.If you aren't familiar with Japanese history and are wondering, this series only has a tenuous relationship to the actual facts. It is a story of demonic possession and magical ninjas with an occasional fact thrown in to make it ring true to its audience. For an American, watching the series for the first time, the wild meandering of the story and an ever-changing cast of characters can be overwhelming. Despite its scope though, Samurai Deeper Kyo makes a strong effort to develop the stories of all the core players. The maintains a much needed sense of continuity.Character development and story aside, this is a fight film - one of high caliber. While I will never get used to the combatants shouting out the titles of their moves, choreography and concept are interesting, and the visual metaphors are easy to work out. While it is still impossible to decide who of Kyoshiro and Kyo is the hero and who the villain, the action whirls around them constantly. The quality of the series is reminiscent of Rerouni Kenshin (which is set at the opposite end of the Shogunate period. If you enjoyed the one, you will most likely enjoy this as well."

Twists You'll Never See Coming....

Seraeph | Prattville, AL USA | 11/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Samurai Deeper Kyo started out as an average samurai-switch-body anime, but after watching these last volumes, I must say that it has become both truly confusing...and truly compelling. Look, if you enjoyed the last DVD, then you'll really have fun with this one. I am not one to elaborate too much, but trust me. Nobunaga...what he does...you never see coming. Definitely something any Kyo fan should buy."