"Blade of the Immortal": A thorough analysis of the immortal samurai's fierce battles and moving story!

Blade of the Immortal - Mugen no Juunin - Review and Recommendation

Overview

Blade of the Immortal is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Hiroaki Samura, which aired on AT-X from July 13 to December 28, 2008. It consists of 13 episodes, each lasting 23 minutes. Animation was done by BEETRAIN with the cooperation of PRODUCTION IG. The series is directed by Koichi Mashimo, with series composition by Hiroyuki Kawasaki and character design by Yoshimitsu Yamashita.

■ Story

Rin, whose parents were brutally murdered by Amatsu Kagehisa, the head of the Ittou-ryu school, who proclaims that "winning is the way of the sword," sets out on a journey to avenge his parents with the help of Manji, a man who has slain 100 people by implanting a blood-sucking worm into his body and become immortal. This is an epic drama that depicts revenge, forgiveness, and the true nature of humanity. Manji and Rin's journey depicts the growth and change of their hearts as they fight various swordsmen and enemies.

■Explanation

"Blade of the Immortal" is known as a neo-period drama that brought period dramas back into the mainstream of entertainment. The story is about a young girl named Asano Rin who vows to take revenge on the swordsman group "Ittou-ryu" that killed her father and kidnapped her mother. She hires a swordsman named Manji, nicknamed "The Hundred-Man Slayer" and who has become immortal by allowing a blood-sucking insect called a "chimushi" to parasitize his body, as her bodyguard and sets out on a journey to avenge her father. The show is characterised by the powerful swordplay scenes and the deep inner thoughts of its characters, making it a captivating work that draws viewers in.

■Cast

The main characters are voiced by:

• Manji/Tomokazu Seki
• Rin Asano/Rina Sato
• Town/Maaya Sakamoto
• Kagehisa Amatsu/Yuji Nojima
• Black-robed Sabato/Masashi Ehara
• Kyodaito/Kazuya Nakai
• Eiza Hasegawa/Katsuyuki Konishi
• Makie Ototachibana/Mamiko Noto
• Arata Kawakami/Daisuke Namikawa
• Shira/Shin'ichiro Miki
• Hyakurin/Megumi Toyoguchi
• Fake 1/ Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Mariji/Yuya Uchida
• Makoto/Wataru Hatano
• The group of vomit hooks / Takayuki Sugo
• Sori/Toshihiko Seki
• Love / Chiba Saeko
• Yaobhikuni/Naoko Kyoda

■ Main staff

The production staff is as follows:

• Original work: Hiroaki Samura "Blade of the Immortal"
• Planning: Yoshio Irie, Yoko Furukawa, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Naoki Nakamura
• Planning cooperation: Afternoon editorial department (Shohei Yoshida, Shigeo Inoue)
• Executive producers: Masayuki Hariu, Shinji Sekizawa, Michiru Ishikawa
• Producers: Takuya Matsushita, Tetsuya Kinoshita, Katsuji Morishita, Noboru Yamada
• Animation producers: Hideaki Muraoka, Ryoji Maru, Takayasu Shimizu, Kenichiro Tanaka
• Director: Koichi Mashimo
• Series Composition: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
• Character design: Yoshimitsu Yamashita
• Possession design/Masashi Koezuka
• Color design/Makiko Kojima
• Special effects: Ayumi Kamo
• Art Director: Yoshimi Umino
• Art direction: Tomomi Kato
• Director of photography: Shinichi Igarashi, Jin Saito
• Edited by BEETRAIN
• Sound Director: Toru Nakano
• Effects: Masaru Urahata (Soundgarden)
• Sound Mixer: Kenji Hoshino
• Sound Editor/Akane Yamago
• Sound production, recording studio/HALF H・P ​​STUDIO
• Sound Production: Akiko Fujita
• Music by Sachi Otani
• Music Production: Pony Canyon
• Music producer: Takashi Watanabe
• Music production cooperation: Imagine
• Assistant Producers: Nakuru Yamatani, Miki Takamoto
• Advertising: Yumi Handa, Mika Saiki
• Animation production cooperation: PRODUCTION IG
• Animation Production: BEETRAIN
• Produced by Asano Dojo Revival Association

■ Main Characters

Details of the main characters are as follows:

• Manji: A samurai who, together with his superior, the samurai Horii Shigenobu, killed 99 pursuers, and was subsequently known as the "100-man slayer." He was implanted with the blood-sucking insect, a secret technique used by the lamaso, by Yaobikuni, giving him an immortal body.
• Asano Rin: The only daughter of the Muten Ichi-ryu Asano Dojo. After her parents were murdered by the Itto-ryu led by Amatsu Kagehisa, she vowed to take revenge. Two years later, she hires Manji as a bodyguard and sets out on a journey to avenge her parents. Her special skills are sword fighting and the Golden Insect.
• Amatsu Kagehisa: The head of the Itto-ryu school, who believes that "winning is the way of the sword." To avenge his grandfather Saburo, he destroys the Mutenichi-ryu school, becoming Rin's lifelong enemy. His greatest wish is to unify all schools in the country.
• Magatsu Taito: Ittou-ryu. A master of the hidden sword. He hates samurai due to past grudges and is a tough swordsman who wields his sword.
• Kuroi Sabato: Ittou-ryu. A veteran swordsman who has been a member of the Ittou-ryu since Kagehisa was a child. He has been sending love letters to Rin for two years.
• Shizuma Eikuu: Ittou-ryu. A man who has been alive for 200 years, carrying a blood-sucking insect within his body.
• Araya Kawakami: Ittou-ryu. He and his son Renzo make a living by selling masks that they make themselves.
• Otonotachibana Makie: Although she is a prostitute, her swordsmanship surpasses even Tenjin's.
• Hyakurin: A blonde female swordsman who is after Ittou-ryu.
• Giichi: A calm and taciturn man who acts together with Hyakurin and the others.
• Shira: Together with Hyakurin and Giichi, they pursue Ittou-ryu, but...
• Machi: Swastika's younger sister. She witnessed her husband being slashed to death by Swastika in front of her, and the shock caused her to regress mentally.
• Habaki Kagimura: Head of the Shogunate's Shinsengumi. While he is getting closer to Ittou-ryu, he is also manipulating Hyakurin and the others from behind the scenes. What is his true intention...?
• Sori: A childhood friend of Rin's father and a local painter. However, in reality he is a government spy with an excessive love for art.

■Subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are as follows:

• Act 1/Sinner(2008/07/13)
• Act 2/Conquest (2008/07/27)
• Act 3/Love Song (2008/08/10)
• Act 4/Genius (2008/08/24)
• Act 5/The Butler (2008/09/07)
• Act 6/Song of the Insects (2008/09/21)
• Act 7/Sanzu (2008/10/05)
• Chapter 8: Nail Bullet (2008/10/19)
• Act 9/Dream Bullet (2008/11/02)
• Act 10 / Changed face (2008/11/16)
• Act 11/Feathers (2008/11/30)
• Act 12/Sharin (2008/12/14)
• Act 13/Wind (2008/12/28)

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are as follows:

• OP1 "Red Rabbit"
• Lyricist: Aika
• Composer: Otani Sachi
• Song: The Pillow Book
• ED1「wants」
• Lyricist: Kazumasa Tanaka
• Composer: Toru Kamei
• Arrangement: Susumu Nagata & GRAPEVINE
• Sung by GRAPEVINE

■Review

"Blade of the Immortal" is a work that is characterized by its powerful swordplay scenes and deep portrayal of the characters' inner thoughts. In particular, the relationship between Manji and Rin, and the conflict with Amatsu Kagehisa leave a strong impression on viewers. Thanks to the technical capabilities of animation production companies BEETRAIN and PRODUCTION IG, the battle scenes are depicted beautifully and realistically. The voice actors' performances are also superb, conveying the characters' emotions realistically.

The story unfolds at a good pace, so viewers will not tire of it. In particular, the inner conflict between Rin's desire for revenge and Manji's desire for forgiveness deeply moves viewers. In addition, the backgrounds and feelings of each member of Ittou-ryu are carefully portrayed, making them seem more than just enemies, but rather human beings with depth.

Music is also an important element in adding excitement to the story, and the background music composed by Sachi Otani perfectly complements the atmosphere of each scene. The opening theme "Red Rabbit" and the ending theme "Wants" are also wonderful pieces that reflect the theme of the story.

■Recommendation

"Blade of the Immortal" is a work that I would especially recommend to those who like historical dramas and action. It is also recommended for those who are interested in character development and human drama. In particular, the relationship between Manji and Rin, and the conflict with Amatsu Kagehisa will deeply move viewers.

This work is not just a revenge drama, but a deep story about human growth and forgiveness. It has many elements that make the viewer think, and it is a work that will stay in your mind even after you have finished watching it. Please give it a watch.