The appeal and reviews of "Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku": A moving work that history fans must see

"Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku": A moving story depicting the early days of the Shinsengumi

overview

Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku (Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku) is a TV anime series that aired on Yomiuri TV from July 10 to September 25, 2012. It is based on a game by Otomate (Idea Factory/Design Factory), directed by Yamasaki Osamu, animated by Studio Deen, and produced by the Hakuoki Reimeiroku Production Committee. It consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and the copyright belongs to © IF・DF/Hakuoki Reimeiroku Production Committee.

story

"Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku" is a work that depicts the dawn of the Shinsengumi. The protagonist, Yukimura Chizuru, comes to Kyoto at the end of the Edo period to search for her father. There she meets the Shinsengumi, and her fate changes dramatically. As she spends time with the Shinsengumi members, Chizuru learns about their suffering, conflict, and the bonds they form. While the story is based on a historical background, it is told in a unique worldview that incorporates fantasy elements.

character

The appeal of this work lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Yukimura Chizuru

The main character is a girl who came to Kyoto to search for her father. She meets the Shinsengumi and acts together with them as a comrade. She has a pure and kind personality, and is a soothing presence for the soldiers. The human drama of the Shinsengumi is depicted from her perspective.

Kondo Isami

The chief of the Shinsengumi. He is a warm-hearted and compassionate leader. He cares for his soldiers like family and has a strong will to never give up even in difficult situations. His leadership supports the Shinsengumi.

Toshizo Hijikata

The vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. He has a calm and strict personality, and can be strict in order to maintain discipline in the group. However, behind that lies a deep love and sense of responsibility for his members. His presence strengthens the unity of the Shinsengumi.

Okita Souji

Captain of the Shinsengumi's First Division. He is a young and talented character with top-notch sword skills. However, he is also depicted as suffering from an illness, which touches the hearts of viewers. His purity and strength add depth to the story.

Saito Hajime

Captain of the Shinsengumi's third unit. He is calm and collected, and a professional who carries out his duties perfectly. Although he doesn't show much emotion on the surface, he is considerate towards his comrades and is a trustworthy presence. His actions support the Shinsengumi's strategy.

Animation and Music

The animation of "Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku" showcases Studio Deen's high level of technical skill. The character designs faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original game while incorporating unique expressions for anime. The backgrounds and battle scenes are beautifully depicted, making it visually appealing.

The music also adds to the appeal of this work. The opening theme, "Reimei," is performed by singer AoP, and powerfully colors the beginning of the story. The ending theme, "Akatsuki no Kaze," is performed by singer Haruko Momoi, and gently wraps up the end of the moving story. The background music is also carefully created to match each scene, and plays a role in bringing out the emotions of the viewer.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku" is a work that beautifully combines fantasy elements based on a historical background with human drama featuring unique characters. By depicting the early days of the Shinsengumi, it delves deeply into the suffering, conflict, and bonds of the members. In particular, the human drama of the Shinsengumi depicted from the perspective of the main character, Chizuru Yukimura, strongly attracts the hearts of viewers.

The quality of the animation and music is also high, making it a visually and aurally appealing experience. Studio Deen's technical skills and the singing talents of AoP and Haruko Momoi further enhance the story. Although it is a short series of 12 episodes, it depicts a dense story and character growth, deeply moving viewers.

Recommended points

The reasons we recommend "Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku" are as follows:

History meets fantasy

By depicting the early days of the Shinsengumi, viewers can enjoy fantasy elements based on a historical background. The suffering, conflict, and bonds of the members are explored in depth, drawing viewers in.

Unique characters

The story is filled with a variety of unique characters, including Yukimura Chizuru. Their human drama stirs the emotions of the viewers. The characters of Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizou, Okita Souji, and Saito Hajime are particularly appealing.

High quality animation and music

The beautiful animation, made possible by the high technical capabilities of Studio Deen, and the moving music by AoP and Haruko Momoi, enhance the story. It is full of visual and auditory appeal, and will leave a deep impression on the viewer.

Related works and series

Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku is one of the anime adaptations of the original Hakuoki game. Other works in the series include:

"Hakuoki: Tales of the Shinsengumi"

A TV anime series that aired in 2010. The story begins with the encounter between the Shinsengumi soldiers and Yukimura Chizuru. Unlike "Reimeiroku," the Shinsengumi's activities and human relationships are depicted from Chizuru's perspective.

"Hakuoki: The Tale of the Shinsengumi - Kazama Chikage"

An OVA broadcast in 2011. The story is told from the perspective of Shinsengumi soldier, Kazama Chikage. The human drama of the Shinsengumi is depicted from a different perspective than "Reimeiroku."

"Hakuoki: Tales of the Shinsengumi - Toshizo Hijikata"

An OVA broadcast in 2012. The story is told from the perspective of Shinsengumi vice-commander Toshizo Hijikata. The human drama of the Shinsengumi is depicted from a different perspective than "Reimeiroku."

summary

"Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan Reimeiroku" is a moving story depicting the dawn of the Shinsengumi. It is a work that beautifully combines fantasy elements based on a historical background with the human drama of unique characters, strongly drawing the hearts of viewers. The beautiful animation by Studio Deen's high technical skills and the moving music by AoP and Haruko Momoi's singing ability are also attractive. Although it is a short period of 12 episodes, it depicts a dense story and character growth, deeply moving the viewer. It is a work that I would highly recommend to fans of the Shinsengumi and those who like historical fantasy.