Review of "Dark God Legend: God of War": The ultimate fusion of myth and battle

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Dark God Legend: Takegami

Overview

"Ankokushin Densetsu: Bushin" is an anime released as an OVA in 1990. The three-part work was published by Nippon Victor and produced by JCSTAFF and Minamimachibugyosho. The original story and direction are by Yamazaki Osamu, character design and animation direction is by Onuki Kenichi, and monster design and animation direction is by Obari Masami. The story is original to the anime, and is a fantasy action based on myths and legends.

story

The story of "Dark God Legend: Bushin" is set against the backdrop of ancient Japanese mythology and follows a young warrior named Koichi as he gains the power of the gods to fight evil. Koichi overcomes various challenges while traveling with a woman named Terumi. The story is divided into three chapters, each with a different theme and enemy.

character

The main characters are:

• Koichi (voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue) - The protagonist. A young warrior who has gained the power of the gods.
• Terumi (voiced by Noriko Hidaka) - Koichi's partner. A brave and intelligent female warrior.
• Jionbo (voiced by Hayami Shou) - A monk. Koichi's teacher and advisor.
• Susanoo (voiced by Norio Wakamoto) - An evil god. The main antagonist of the story.
• Sayoko (voiced by Ryoko Sakakibara) - A mysterious woman who is deeply involved in Koichi's fate.
• Motoko (voiced by Sakuma Rei) - Terumi's friend. A person who influences her past and future.
• Dragon God (voiced by Shinji Ogawa) - God of water. He helps Koichi on his journey.

Production background and staff

"Dark God Legend: Bushin" started from an original idea by Osamu Yamazaki. Osamu Yamazaki was deeply involved in the work as director and determined the direction of the story. Kenichi Onuki, who was in charge of character design and animation direction, played a key role in the visual aspects of the characters. Masami Obari's monster designs were also essential in emphasizing the fantasy elements of the work. Art director Chisato Sunagawa enriched the worldview of the work through his background art. With the cooperation of JCSTAFF and Minamimachi Magistrate's Office, the work was completed as a high-quality animation.

Animation and visuals

The animation of Ankokushin Densetsu: Bushin is of very high quality for an OVA from the early 1990s. The character designs are by Onuki Kenichi, and feature unique and appealing characters. The battle scenes in particular make the most of Ohbari Masami's monster designs, which make a strong visual impact. The background art is also beautifully drawn under the direction of Sunagawa Chisato, adding to the atmosphere of the work.

Music and Sound

The music contributes greatly to the atmosphere of the work. The background music reflects mythological themes, and the battle scenes feature sound effects that heighten the tension. The voice actors are also impressive, including Kazuhiko Inoue, Noriko Hidaka, Sho Hayami, Norio Wakamoto, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Rei Sakuma, and Shinji Ogawa. Their performances convey the emotions of the characters realistically, adding depth to the story.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Dark God Legend: God of War" has been highly praised as a fantasy action series based on mythology. The story is consistent, and the character growth and changes in relationships are carefully depicted. The animation quality is also high, and the battle scenes are particularly impressive. The music and sound also enhance the atmosphere of the work, increasing the viewer's immersion. However, the short length of only three episodes can sometimes feel unsatisfying. If the series had been a little longer, the story may have developed in greater depth.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed "Dark God Legend: Bushin," we also recommend the following:

• Fist of the North Star - Another action anime with mythological elements, depicting the protagonist's growth and battles.
• "Saint Seiya" - A fantasy action game based on Greek mythology, with themes of character growth and friendship.
• "Fantasy Earth Zero" - Although it is an online game, its appeal lies in the fantasy world based on myths and legends.

More Information

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

March 23, 1990

■Release and sales

Nippon Victor

■Frequencies

40 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 3

■Original Story

Osamu Yamazaki

■ Director

Osamu Yamazaki

■ Production

・Production: JC Staff

■Works

©Japan Victor, JCSTAFF, Minamimachi Magistrate's Office

Conclusion

"Dark God Legend: Bushin" is a fantasy action film based on mythology, boasting high quality in all aspects, including story, characters, animation, and music. Although it is unfortunate that it is only three episodes long, it is sure to leave a strong impression on viewers. This is a film that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes fantasy action films.