Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan- 12 episodes
While searching for her missing father, Chizuri finds herself taken in by the Shinsengumis. It's based on a historical otome game. The setting is warring late Edo period and the characters are based on historical characters of Japan. Then throw in bishie samurais, supernatural elements and downplayed gender bender. I didn't want to get my hopes too high thinking it would be another NeoRomance clone. I was way off wrong! I don't even know where to start. It's like a noir for otome-turned-anime genre. Ok I'll start with the story. To be honest I'm not familiar with the historical material but they were able to pull off a credible historical story with a reverse harem going on minus the cheesiness. I like the fact that it wasn't trying too hard to sell the reverse harem factor. I thought the 12 episodes is going to be too short but the fast pacing was executed very well. The character designs, the animation and the color palettes are all amazing. I think it's at par with the CG version. The screenshots from the endings of the otome are making me swooooon! At first I can't differentiate some of the characters but as I get to know them I can't get enough of them. Actually the lead bishie Hijikata is my least favorite. Sorry for Hijikata fans. I still can't decide between Okita, Todo, Saito and of course I fell for the villain again, Kazama. I didn't have a problem with Chizuri's naivety and sincerity, because sometime I find it too annoying for some other animes. The anime ended in a very sad note but fret not since there will be a second season this fall. I can't wait to see them in modern clothes. I had a hunch they will have those second set of clothes on the next season with all the art scans out there. There's also two manga adaptations which was a major spoiler for me so don't read it yet if you're not yet done with this. I can't wait to watch the highschool parody too.
Thank you for sharing this with us! I really liked watching this anime! I can't wait for the second season! Hijikata=<3<3<3
ReplyDeleteI f****** love this anime. Oh why are the ratings so low in the US? Then again, they haven't played the game so I guess that is a good reason. I mean the anime was made for those who did played the game. I don't care how useless Chizuru is. She's like that in the game too, and yet the game is still quite popular. (No, I haven't played it nor have it) I actually like her. At least we have hot samurais saving her ass every episode.
ReplyDeleteI loved this anime <3 Can you recommend another anime like this one? The bishies were beautiful ;w;. Saitou was the CUTEST!!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it's the only anime of it's kind. There's a lot of stylized Shinsengumi otomes with manga versions. Let's just hope they make it to animes. You may try the second season if you haven't seen it yet Hakuouki Hekketsuroku.
ReplyDeleteUhmmm hey, well there's this manga called Meine Liebe..and it's reverse harem, but not completely, since she has some "girl friends" too. I guess it revolves around the royalty theme, since they use "sama" and "dono"...I stopped reading it since the story is so-so (too predictable and boring...? just not my type) The art is so-so as well.. could be better. It also got animated. so yeahh...
ReplyDeleteBtw, this anime was sad as hell... people be dyin' everywhere... it was waaay too sad. And she didn't even end up with the guy I wanted her to. (SAITOU! or KAZAMA!) ...it's just depressing...fuck.
I LOVED IT A LOT.
I actually blogged about it at http://reverseharem.blogspot.com/2007/11/meine-liebe.html
DeleteYeah it's so-so. I haven't finished the manga yet though.