Peacock King: Sakura Bōjō - A fascinating anime with deep emotions and reviews

"Kujaku-oh: Sakurabōjō": The cursed island and the battle of psychics

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

September 21, 1991

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work by Hagino Makoto

■ Director

・Director: Katsuhito Akiyama

■ Story

Six psychics, including Kujaku, are gathered on Will-o'-the-Wisp Island, where a curse has been cast on the island, where the number of deaths is equal to the number of will-o'-the-wisp. In order to break the curse, the six cooperate with each other, but one by one they lose their lives. Eventually, they discover that their enemy is Yomi-no-Gozen, a sorcerer from the Warring States period who was sealed away by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

■Explanation

Based on Ogino Makoto's popular manga, which depicts the battles of the exorcist Peacock, who exists behind Mount Koya, the headquarters of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism, a three-volume OVA was produced between 1988 and 1991. This work corresponds to the third and final episode, and the story development is based on the original work's "Yomi no Gozen Hen". After this work, "Shin Kujaku-oh" was also produced in 1994 with a completely new staff and cast.

■Cast

・Kujaku (Peacock) / Toshihiko Seki ・Asura (Asura) / Arisa Ando ・Ojinmaru (Ojinmaru) / Tesshō Genda ・Yomigozen (Yumegoma) / Yuko Kobayashi

■ Main staff

・Original story/Ogino Makoto・Director/Akiyama Katsuhito・Screenplay/Natsuki Reo・Character design and chief animation director/Kishida Takahiro・Animation directors/Okuda Jun, Tanaka Masahiro・Art/Nango Yoichi・Sound director/Iwanami Yoshikazu・Virtual sound creator/Christopher Carell・Music/Christopher Carell, Ogura Satoru & Kit Kat Club・Animation production/AIC
・Production: Shueisha. Next Start ・Planning cooperation: Young Jump Editorial Department

■ Main Characters

He is an exorcist from Kujaku-uraki Koyasan, and makes a living by defeating and exorcising the supernatural phenomena of this world. His guardian deity is Kujaku Myoo, and he also freely uses the magical powers of other gods and Buddhas, such as Fudo Myoo, Taishakuten (Indara), and Marishiten.
・Asura Heroine. A beautiful blonde with blue eyes and the blood of Asura, the demon god who stirs up blood and conflict. With the protection of her guardian deity, King Asura, she has the power to freely control the flames of darkness. She has feelings for Kujaku.
・Oninmaru A juken-do master who undertakes curse killing for money. A muscular big man wearing sunglasses, he is a Shiki-oni user who places gods and demons in pieces of paper and uses them to his advantage. He has a long-standing rivalry with Kujaku, and also has a passionate side.
・Yomigozen A sorcerer who controlled the wandering shrine maidens during the Warring States period. She was sealed away by Tokugawa Ieyasu with the magical power of the Seven Lucky Gods, but was waiting for an opportunity to be resurrected.

■ Related works

Kujaku King Kikansai Kujaku King 2 Phantom Castle King Kujaku King

The appeal and evaluation of "Kujaku-o: Ouka Boujyou"

"Kujaku-oh: Ouka Hojo" is an OVA released in 1991, based on the popular manga "Kujaku-oh" by Ogino Makoto. This OVA is based on the original "Yomigozen Arc" and depicts the battle between the exorcist Kujaku and his companions on Onibi Island. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of this work.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Kujaku-Oh: Ouka Hojo" is characterized by a tense plot in which six psychics are gathered on the cursed Will-o'-the-Wisp Island, and while they work together to break the curse, they end up losing their lives one by one. In particular, the scene in which it is revealed that the enemy's true identity is Yomi-no-Gozen, a sorceress from the Warring States period, leaves a strong impact on the viewer. Yomi-no-Gozen was a powerful sorceress sealed away by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the fight to prevent her resurrection has the power to draw the viewer in.

The story is set on Will-o'-the-Wisp Island, which is depicted as a place of supernatural happenings and curses, creating visual horror and thrills. The depiction of the island's atmosphere and background stimulates the viewer's imagination and heightens the tension of the story.

Character Appeal

The protagonist of this work, Kujaku, is a powerful character who is an exorcist of Ura-Takano and uses the magical powers of various gods and Buddhas. His calm judgment and fighting ability give viewers a sense of security, but his bonds with his comrades and his humanity are also depicted, making him an appealing character with depth.

The heroine, Ashura, is a beautiful girl descended from the demon Ashura and has the power to control dark flames. Her feelings for Kujaku and her relationships with her companions add emotional depth to the story. Her battle scenes are also visually beautiful, drawing viewers in.

Onimaru is a sorcerer who performs curses for money, and has a long-standing rivalry with Kujaku. His strength and compassionate side resonates with viewers and adds diversity to the story.

The antagonist, Yomigozen, is a sorceress from the Warring States period, a character with great powers and a deep background. The battle to prevent her resurrection is an important element in building up excitement for the story's climax.

The appeal of video and music

The visuals of "Kujaku-Oh: Ouka Hojou" are of very high quality for a 1991 OVA, with beautiful character designs and background art. In particular, the depiction of the atmosphere of Onibi Island and the battle scenes have a strong visual impact and draw the viewer into the story.

The music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this film. The music by Christopher Carell, Satoru Ogura & Kit Kat Club effectively conveys the tension and emotions of the story, stirring the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the music during the battle scenes, combined with the visual images, leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kujaku-oh: Ouka Hojo" has been highly praised for its story, characters, visuals, and music, making it a highly polished OVA. In particular, the plot, which is based on the original "Yomi no Gozen Arc," is sure to satisfy fans of the original work.

This is a must-watch for viewers who enjoy horror, fantasy, and action, as well as those who are interested in works depicting the battles between exorcists and sorcerers, and also for those who want to see the quality of 1990s OVAs.

Related works

"Kujaku-Oh: Sakura Bōjō" is a work produced as part of a series, so you can enjoy the story more deeply by watching other related works together. The related works are introduced below.

・"Kujaku-o Oni-Kai Festival"
This is a prequel to the main story, depicting the battle between Kujaku and his friends. The development of the Oni-Karma Festival arc will provide viewers with a new perspective and help deepen their understanding of the series as a whole.

・"Kujakuoh 2: Phantom Castle"
This sequel depicts a new battle between Peacock and his friends. The development of the Phantom Castle arc will provide viewers with even more excitement and emotion.

・"True Peacock King"
This remake of the original work was produced with a completely new cast and staff. Shin Kujaku-oh retains the essence of the original work while depicting the story from a new perspective, providing viewers with a fresh and moving experience.

summary

"Kujaku-oh: Ouka Hojyo" is an OVA released in 1991, based on Ogino Makoto's popular manga "Kujaku-oh". It has been highly praised for its story, characters, visuals, and music, making it a must-see for viewers who like horror, fantasy, and action. Also, by watching the related works, you can deepen your understanding of the entire series and get even more enjoyment. Be sure to watch this work and experience the battles between Kujaku and his friends.