PEACE MAKER Kurogane - What is the appeal of this historical action film depicting the upheaval of the late Edo period?

The appeal and reviews of PEACE MAKER Kurogane

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 8, 2003 - March 24, 2004 TV Asahi October 2003 - March 2004 (1st - 24th episodes)

■Broadcasting station

ANB

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 24

■Original Story

Nanae Kurono

■ Director

Director: Tomohiro Hirata

■ Production

・Animation Production: GONZO DIGIMATION
Produced by TV Asahi Produced by Shinsengumi Tonsho (GONZO, Commonwealth Entertainment, Geneon Entertainment, IMAGICA Entertainment, Frontier Works)

■Works

©2003 Nanae Kurono・MAG Garden/Shinsengumi Barracks

■ Story

--- It was the time of chaos at the end of the Edo period. There was a young man who ran through the times.
Year 1864, March of the Yayoi era. Spring, with cherry blossoms falling in the air, in Kyoto. A boy knocked on the door of the Mibu Shinsengumi barracks.
His name is Ichimura Tetsunosuke, and he is only 15 years old. As his name suggests, he is a hired assassin.
Tetsunosuke, who has a fighting spirit that is out of proportion to his stature, wishes to join the Shinsengumi in order to avenge his parents.
"I want to become stronger"
While being watched by the Shinsengumi members, including Okita Souji, and his worried older brother, Tatsunosuke, who was suffering from stomach pains,
As the Shinsengumi fought their dark and cold battles, Tetsunosuke lived through the end of the Edo period as a page to Hijikata Toshizo...

*Quoted from the GONZO official website

■Explanation

Nanae Kurono's stylish Shinsengumi comic "PEACE MAKER Kurogane" has been made into a long-awaited anime!
GONZO from "LAST EXILE" and "Combat Fairy Yukikaze" expresses an unprecedented, extreme swordplay scene with a sense of speed and drive!
High-quality images using 3D and digital technology depict the exploits of the Shinsengumi up until the Ikedaya Incident!

*Quoted from the GONZO official website

■Cast

・Ichimura Tetsunosuke/Kobayashi Yumiko・Okita Souji/Saiga Mitsuki・Hijikata Toshizou/Nakata Joji・Yamazaki Susumu/Sakurai Takahiro・Ichimura Tatsunosuke/Ueda Yuji・Saya/Takahashi Mikako・Kitamura Suzu/Imai Yuka・Yoshida Toshimaro/Suwabe Junichi・Nagakura Shinpachi/Yamaguchi Kappei・Harada Sanosuke/Nomura Kenji・Toudou Heisuke/Toriumi Kosuke・Yamazaki Ayumu/Nagashima Yuko・Kondo Isamu/Hashi Takaya・Yamanami Keisuke/Inoue Michihiro・Saito Hajime/Matsuyama Takashi・Akari/Neya Michiko・Sakamoto Ryoma/Ehara Masashi

■ Main staff

・Original work / Nanae Kurono・Director / Tomohiro Hirata・Series composition / Naoko Hasegawa・Character design / Akemi Hayashi・Prop design / Yuji Hosogoe・Art director / Masahiro Sato・Color design / Hiromi Uchibayashi・3DCG director / Hiroyuki Shirai・Digital director / Ryoki Kamitsubo・Director of photography / Kojiro Hayashi・Editor / Fumi Hida・Music / Keiichi Oku・Sound director / Toshiki Kameyama・Producers / Naomi Nishiguchi, Yoko Kawahara, Osamu Ono, Akio Matsuda, Yusuke Abe, Sumihiro Kamitamari・Animation production / GONZO DIGIMATION
Produced by TV Asahi Produced by Shinsengumi Tonsho (GONZO, Commonwealth Entertainment, Geneon Entertainment, IMAGICA Entertainment, Frontier Works)

■ Main Characters

Tetsunosuke Ichimura joined the Shinsengumi to avenge the death of his parents. He served as a page to Hijikata, the vice-commander. He was 15 years old. He was reckless and powerful.
・Okita Souji Captain of the Shinsengumi's first division. He is said to be the best swordsman. He is usually calm, but when he holds a sword he becomes a different person.
Toshizo Hijikata is the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. He is feared by the other members for the cold and cruel way he runs his organization.
Tatsunosuke Ichimura, Shinsengumi accountant. He is Tetsunosuke's older brother and a parent figure. He is extremely anxious and suffers from nervous gastritis.
A girl who was saved by Tetsunosuke when she was being harassed by Saya. Like Tetsunosuke, she has a dark past.
Yamazaki Susumu: Shinsengumi inspector. A spy who works hard to gather information inside and outside the unit. Expressionless and silent. There is much mystery surrounding his true nature.
Yamazaki Ayumi's older sister, who is also a member of the Shinsengumi. She is usually in charge of preparing meals for the soldiers. She has a friendly and cheerful personality.
Kondo Isamu, head of the Shinsengumi. He was also the fourth head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school and head of the Edo Shieikan. Hijikata and Okita were his fellow disciples.
Keisuke Yamanami is the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi and has a gentle personality. He often clashes with fellow vice-commander Hijikata, perhaps because their personalities are the polar opposite.
Nagakura Shinpachi: Captain of the Shinsengumi's second unit. A master of the Shinto Munenryu style of swordsmanship. A friendly man, he looks after Tetsunosuke when he first joins the group.
Captain of the 10th Division, Harada Sanosuke. He has a big build, a bold personality, and the scars from his seppuku are a badge of honor. He is a master of the spear.
・Toudou Heisuke, captain of the 8th division. He is the youngest of the three manzai comedians. He loves cute things and seems to get excited about small things.
Saito: Captain of the 13th Division. Within the division, he has sword skills that rival those of Okita. He has very strong spiritual powers and is always out of sight.
- Toshimaro Yoshida: A samurai of the Choshu clan. He was a student at the Shoka Sonjuku school and is counted among the Sanshu. He is the mastermind behind the Choshu clan's covert activities in Kyoto.
Kitamura Suzuki is a samurai of the Choshu clan who looks up to Yoshida Toshimaro as his mentor. He feels that he and Tetsunosuke have something in common.
- Tenjin of Akari Shimabara. A woman with many mysteries hidden behind her beautiful appearance.
・Sakamoto Ryoma, with his impressive dreadlocks, was a proponent of opening up Japan to the world. He seems to have had some kind of connection with the Ichimuras.

■Subtitle

・Episode 1/Sakura・Episode 2/Ambition・Episode 3/Red・Episode 4/Shadow・Episode 5/Moon・Episode 6/Warrior・Episode 7/Bell・Episode 8/Love・Episode 9/Dragon・Episode 10/Ghost・Episode 11/Plan・Episode 12/Brother・Episode 13/Eyes・Episode 14/Thoughts・Episode 15/Song・Episode 16/Lie・Episode 17/Empty・Episode 18/Rain・Episode 19/Sky・Episode 20/Blade・Episode 21/Team・Episode 22/Battle・Episode 23/Sincerity・Episode 24/Steel

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・You gonna feel
Lyrics: HAV
・Composition: HAV
Arrangement: HAV
・Song: HAV

・ED1
・HEY JIMMY!
Lyrics: HAV
・Composition: HAV
Arrangement: HAV
・Song: HAV

The appeal and reviews of PEACE MAKER Kurogane

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is an anime based on the original manga by Nanae Kurono, depicting the exploits of the Shinsengumi during the turbulent period of the late Edo period. It aired on TV Asahi from 2003 to 2004 and is known for its animation produced by GONZO DIGIMATION. Although based on a historical background, this work has gained support from many viewers for its skillful incorporation of fictional elements.

The appeal of the story

The story of "PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is set in Kyoto during the late Edo period and depicts the growth and struggles of Ichimura Tetsunosuke, who joined the Shinsengumi to avenge his parents. As a page to Hijikata Toshizo, Tetsunosuke is depicted as gaining various experiences within the Shinsengumi and growing as a person. While based on historical fact, the story skillfully incorporates elements of fiction, giving it the power to draw viewers in.

What is particularly appealing is how Tetsunosuke's recklessness and powerful personality deepen as he grows. Additionally, his interactions with the Shinsengumi members and their conflicts and resolve during the turbulent period at the end of the Edo period are depicted realistically, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Each character's unique personality stands out, such as Tetsunosuke's brother Tatsunosuke's worrywartness, Okita Souji's swordsmanship, and Hijikata Toshizo's ruthlessness, adding excitement to the story.

Visuals and performance

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is an animation produced by GONZO DIGIMATION, and is characterized by its high-quality visuals that make full use of 3D and digital technology. In particular, the sense of speed and drive in the sword fighting scenes has an intensity and realism not found in other anime works, and creates a visual impact. Director Hirata Tomohiro pursued new methods of expression in this work, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Character design was handled by Akemi Hayashi, who recreated the stylish atmosphere of the original work in the anime. Each character's facial expression and movement are drawn in detail, conveying their emotional changes and psychological portrayal realistically. Additionally, the background art by art director Masahiro Sato also realistically recreates the atmosphere of Kyoto at the end of the Edo period, deepening the worldview of the work.

Music and Sound

The music was composed by Keiichi Oku, and the theme songs were "You gonna feel" and "HEY JIMMY!" sung by HAV. The opening and ending songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but also have memorable melodies that will stay in the viewers' minds. In addition, the use of sound effects and background music by sound director Toshiki Kameyama also effectively expresses the tension and growing emotions of the story.

Cast performances

The acting of the cast is also an important element that enhances the appeal of "Peace Maker Kurogane." Kobayashi Yumiko, who plays Ichimura Tetsunosuke, realistically portrayed Tetsunosuke's recklessness and growth, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Saiga Mitsuki, who plays Okita Souji, skillfully expressed his usual calmness and the completely different side he becomes when he holds a sword, while Nakata Jouji, who plays Hijikata Toshizou, realistically portrayed his cold-heartedness and cruelty. Furthermore, Ueda Yuji, who plays Ichimura Tatsunosuke, provided laughs for viewers with his humorous portrayal of a character who is anxious and suffers from nervous gastritis.

A fusion of historical background and fiction

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is a work that skillfully incorporates elements of fiction while being based on the historical background of the end of the Edo period. It depicts historical events such as the exploits of the Shinsengumi and the Ikedaya Incident, while providing viewers with a new perspective through original characters such as Tetsunosuke and Saya. This work will appeal not only to viewers who love history, but also to those who enjoy action and drama.

Viewer reactions and ratings

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" has been popular with many viewers since it was first broadcast, and has been especially well received by Shinsengumi fans and viewers who love history. Various elements of the anime, such as the visuals and direction, the acting of the cast, and the music, have been praised, and the high quality of the work as a whole has been recognized. In addition, the growth of Tetsunosuke and the human drama of the Shinsengumi soldiers have captured the hearts of viewers, and many fans have been born.

Recommended points

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is a work that skillfully incorporates elements of fiction while being set against the backdrop of the history of the late Edo period. Various elements such as Tetsunosuke's growth, the human drama of the Shinsengumi soldiers, high-quality visuals and direction, the acting of the cast, and music have the appeal to draw viewers in. It is a must-see work especially for Shinsengumi fans and viewers who like history, and is also recommended for viewers who want to enjoy action and drama.

This work offers viewers a new perspective and allows them to enjoy the fusion of historical background and fiction. Each character's individuality stands out, such as Tetsunosuke's recklessness and growth, Okita Souji's sword skills, and Hijikata Toshizo's ruthlessness, and adds excitement to the story. In addition, the animation produced by GONZO DIGIMATION features high-quality images that make full use of 3D and digital technology, creating a visual impact.

The music was also composed by Keiichi Oku, and the theme songs "You gonna feel" and "HEY JIMMY!" enhance the atmosphere of the work and are memorable melodies for viewers. Sound director Toshiki Kameyama's use of sound effects and background music also effectively expresses the tension and growing emotions of the story.

The acting of the cast is also an important element that enhances the appeal of "PEACE MAKER Kurogane." Each cast member, including Yumiko Kobayashi as Tetsunosuke Ichimura, Mitsuki Saiga as Souji Okita, Jouji Nakata as Toshizou Hijikata, and Yuji Ueda as Tatsunosuke Ichimura, portrayed the individuality of their characters so realistically that they left a strong impression on the viewers.

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" is a work that skillfully incorporates elements of fiction while being based on a historical background, providing viewers with a new perspective. Various elements such as Tetsunosuke's growth, the human drama of the Shinsengumi soldiers, high-quality visuals and direction, the acting of the cast, and music have the appeal to draw viewers in. It is a must-see work especially for Shinsengumi fans and viewers who like history, and is also recommended for viewers who enjoy action and drama.