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Plot Synopsis

Kouga and Iga are two feuding ninja clans who attempt to make peace through an arranged marriage of the heirs to both clans. However, the peace plans fall apart when the rightful heir is disputed leaving both clans to have internal battles between their 10 greatest ninja; the last man standing would be declared as the rightful heir. As the attempt to make peace was destroyed, the two clans inevitably declared war even though no-one was aware of why they should fight each other. As each of the 10 ninja from each clan falls deestiny will eventually bring together or tear apartl Gennosuke and Oboro, the oriignal heirs to theKouga and Iga clans.

Story & Characters

If I have to classify this anime, I would say that it is a shonen anime, which shinobi fans would love to see.However, romance plays a great role in this anime too... it all start off with a shinobi showdown in Tokugawa Ieyasu's Castle.
Two great ninjas from rival clans, namely Manji Daini (Kouga) and Tsubagakure (Iga) were asked to display their skills to the owner of the castle. Yashamaru (Iga) and Kazamachi Shougen were giving their all in attempt to kill each other. Little they know that this showdown will be the beginning of an even greater war between Kouga and Iga.
In the past, due to the love between Kouga Danjo and Iga Ogen, peace between the two clans were almost reached with their marriage. However, a sudden attack on Iga caused all of Kouga forces to seize their chance in scoring a surprise attack on Iga as well, destroying every little bit of trust that Ogen had towards Danjo.
Now that the peace agreement is finally broken, both sides are required to kill ten ninjas from each village, whose names are written in the scrolls. Will the sad love be repeated again by their grandchildren Gennosuke (Kouga) and Oboro (Iga)? Or will their love help to finally bring peace and end the 400-year conflict between Kouga and Iga?

Rating

7 (above average)

Art

I have to say that the art in this anime is good. The originality of illustration is shown in the unique style that each character has. Other than that, the fighting scene is also done well, though the night scene is still a bit too dark (oh well..) Background scene is also nicely done, with good details in some part.. No comment about background characters though, as there are not really any background charas in the anime, most of them are fighting scenes...
Lots of details are shown in the characters' expression, which is good cause you can really feel the tension in the anime (uh, except for those charas that just have like fierce kind of face.. if you know what I mean)..One thing that I don't really like in the drawing is how they draw the character's eyes....

Rating

7 (above average)

Sound

Well, I must say I cannot really highlight the opening or ending song, they did not impress me much.. The background music is good though.. It really suits the dark and tense mood of the anime (and sometimes eerie..)
As for the seiyuus, I must say that they did a great job.. We can hear in the voices a character's evil intention, or how they treat the person they are talking to, or their current mood and stuff like that. The tone in the voices changed greatly when the characters are facing the enemy compared to when they are talking to their allies.

Rating

7 (above average)

Presentation

I must say that this anime started out great. The twisted rivalry plot is one of the strong point of Basilisk. In each and every episode in the anime you will feel the curiosity and the tension in between the two sides. When it seems that one side finally has the upper hand, the other side will unexpectedly get back at them and gain the upper hand instead.. this goes on and on.. I really enjoy watching the first few episodes..
However, after watching 8 episodes of Basilisk, I started to feel tired of how victory is not ensured to either hand, and how it seems to be toss to and fro between the two sides (it is intriguing at first, but after few episodes you are jusy bored and tired of the constant tossing of victory) Oh well, this anime is currently in its 10th episode, so there may still be some twisting of plot or other interesting ideas to come..
No character development here, an episode only span one day in Basilisk's time.. And nor there is any humor.. really a serious fighting anime, all the characters think about is to kill their rivals..
I do recommend this strongly to those who loves ninjas, fights, and lots of bloods and original ninja killing techniques rating should be 14++ due to the gory scenes and lotsa violence..

Rating

6 (average)

Final Verdict

6.67 (above average)

Reviewed by tareren, 3y 8wk ago