Bakumatsu Gijinden Romance - A thorough review of a story of history and passion

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

January 7, 2013 - March 25, 2013

■TV Broadcast

• TV Tokyo / January 7, 2013 - March 25, 2013 / Mondays 26:05 - 26:35
• TV Setouchi / January 8, 2013 - March 26, 2013 / Tuesday 26:10 - 26:40
• TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting / January 10, 2013 - March 28, 2013 / Thursday 27:00 - 27:30
• TV Aichi / January 10, 2013 - March 28, 2013 / Thursday 27:05 - 27:35
• TV Osaka / January 11, 2013 - March 29, 2013 / Friday 26:10 - 26:40
• TV Hokkaido / January 11, 2013 - March 29, 2013 / Friday 27:00 - 27:30
• AT-X / January 16, 2013 - April 3, 2013 / Wednesdays 20:00 - 20:30

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo series

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

・Original work by Takao

■ Director

・Director: Hirofumi Ogura

■ Production

・Animation Production: TMS Entertainment

■Works

©︎Takao Monkey Punch/Heisei Righteous Romantic Group

■ Story

He is known as "Roman the Returner." He is here!

It is the end of the Edo period. The arrival of the Black Ships has destroyed the 200-year stability of the Shogunate, and society is thrown into chaos. Taking advantage of the chaos, those in power oppress and plunder the weak to satisfy their own desires. However... Someone appears who cuts through the "darkness". This is Roman, the righteous thief who steals and returns the "stolen things" of the weak with his fantastic and elusive skills. This is a fantastical period drama that depicts the activities of Manjiro, a helper who is usually not very good, but actually Roman, the "returner", and his friends as they work to restore people's hope. However... The times are changing every moment. The plans of the visiting foreigners, the enchantress Okuni who smiles in the shadows of the plot, and the mysterious group to which Magoichi belongs. The schemes of those who try to change the flow of the times intersect, and Roman and his friends' fates are at the mercy of their will...

■Cast

・Roman/Kazuya Nakai・Koharu/Eri Kitamura・Magoichi/Kenichi Suzumura・Akoku/Maaya Uchida・Hans/Takashi Matsuyama・Gennai/Kenichi Ogata・Kanade/Saori Sudo・Jirokichi/Kazunari Futamata・Perry/Hiroki Yasumoto・Conti/Yoshio Miura・O-Rin/Kanako Miyamoto・Yanagisawa/Fumihiko Tachiki・Kotaro, Kojiro/Nobuyuki Hiyama・Yasuhiro/Chihiro Suzuki

■ Main staff

・Original work by Takao ・Character concept by Monkey Punch ・Director by Hirofumi Ogura ・Series composition by Tatsuto Higuchi ・Character design by Satoshi Hirayama ・Art setting by Kazushige Kanehira ・Color design by Hiromi Miyawaki ・Editing by Yuriko Sano ・Music by Hiroshi Takagi ・Sound director by Kengo Kawazoe ・Music director by Tomohiro Yoshida ・Music production by Nippon Columbia ・Production by TMS Entertainment

■ Main Characters

・Romantic (Manjiro the Helper)
He usually helps his neighbors out in trouble under the name of "Manjiro the Helper," a sloppy and unskillful character. His true identity is "Roman the Returner." He is a noble thief who steals and returns things that have been "stolen" from people. He has made a name for himself in the city of Kyoto for his boldness, elusiveness, and the skill with which he steals. He is in love with Okuni Tayu of Shimabara. He cannot stand up to his younger sister, Koharu.
・Koharu (decorative chopsticks Koharu)
Roman's younger sister. She is a hard worker who makes decorative chopsticks to support the family. She has a hard time dealing with her lazy brother, and is always pushing him to work. She is also loved and trusted by the neighbors. However, she respects her brother who works as "Roman" for the good of the world and people, and wants to be of help to him. She is always accompanied by her pet dog, Sakura.
・Magnoichi Suzuki A new recruit in the Keito Mimawarigumi. He guards the city to ensure the stability of Keito, which is in a precarious situation at the end of the Edo period. He always has a smile on his face, but that is just a camouflage to hide the other mission he is secretly carrying out. He is a skilled samurai who can easily use his favorite weapon, the Karakuri gun, to mow down a large number of enemies in one go.
・Akoku (Akoku Tayu)
She is a woman of rare beauty. She is a peerless beauty who combines elegance and sensuality. As the most powerful courtesan in Shimabara, she captivates many men. However, she is no ordinary woman. She sometimes changes her appearance and operates behind the scenes of the powers that be, plotting schemes. However, her purpose is still unknown.
・He is the treasurer of Yasuhiro Kanjo Ginmiyaku (financial inspector) Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. He has a bold and unrivaled skill, but he is always in hot water when faced with the brilliant performances of Roman. He is a bundle of justice, but a kind person. He seems to have a weakness for both alcohol and women.
Hans von Rubelt: A Dutch doctor. He calls himself a disciple of von Siebold. He seems to be a skilled doctor, but after some dubious research based on the latest Dutch medical techniques, he has created a mysterious lifeform known as a "zombie" and manipulated it with ease. He is a member of the "Returners". He is in charge of saving lives and performing autopsies from a medical standpoint. He is also skilled with medicines and supports Roman and the others.
Gennai Hiraga is a genius inventor. He is the elder of the "Returners". He is immersed in mysterious research day and night in the laboratory-like "Eireikian". In the process, he develops various weapons and tools, including a device that uses an Elekiteru. He supports Roman and the others. He is a dirty old man, but if he is Gennai Hiraga himself, he would be over 130 years old.
A shrine maiden at Manpachiman Shrine. A member of the "Returners". She is skilled at disguise and is mainly in charge of gathering information, using her beauty and sex appeal as her weapons. She is also an expert archer.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Baban and Koban are giving away big money!
・Episode 2/That clever guy is giving away a lot!
Episode 3: Troublesome people make a big splash!
-Episode 4: A lavish spread in a tight swimsuit!
Episode 5: Tear it off and throw it away, a big splash!
Episode 6: Back alleys, caves, and generous treats!
・Episode 3: Life is full of ups and downs, so show off your skills!
Episode 8: Putting on a terrible face, but still managing to make a big splash!
・Episode 9: A generous splash!
Episode 10: He reveals his true feelings and gives a generous speech!
Episode 11: What an amazing match! A generous offer!
Episode 12: In full bloom! A generous serving of smiles!

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・RanTiKi
Lyrics: Takashi Asano Composition: Takashi Asano Arrangement: Takashi Asano Singer: Yukino

・ED1
・Thus Spoke Zarathustra・Lyrics by Hisashi Sudo・Music by Yuki Saito・Arrangement by Hige・Singer by Hige

Evaluation

"Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman" is a story set in the historical background of the end of the Edo period, featuring the heroic thief "Returner Roman" and his companions. This anime depicts the exploits of heroes who cut through the darkness of society, with history and fiction intertwined. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work.

Story and Themes

The story of "Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman" is set in the turbulent times of the end of the Edo period. The arrival of the Black Ships destroys the stability of the shogunate, and society falls into chaos. In this setting, a righteous thief, "Roman the Returner," appears to take back what has been stolen from the weak. This setting skillfully blends historical fact and fiction, and has the power to draw viewers in.

The themes of the story are "justice" and "hope." Roman and his friends help the weak and act to right social injustice. This theme resonates with viewers and gives the story depth. In addition, the storytelling that makes use of the historical background will appeal to viewers who are fond of history.

character

Each character in this work is unique and charming. The protagonist, Roman (Manjiro), is a sloppy helper in normal life, but his true identity is a fearless and righteous thief. His portrayal of his dual nature and weakness for his younger sister, Koharu, is full of humanity and is appealing. Koharu is a hard worker who supports her brother, but also respects his activities as Roman. Her character symbolizes family love and bonds.

Magoichi Suzuki is a new recruit who always smiles on the surface, but has a different mission behind the scenes. His character has a complex background that adds depth to his character. Okuni is a beautiful and seductive courtesan, but she is also a mysterious woman who plots schemes. Her character adds thrill and suspense to the story.

Hans von Rubelt is a Dutch doctor who uses the latest medical techniques to support Roman and his friends. His character is a symbol of intercultural exchange and brings diversity to the story. Hiraga Gennai is a genius inventor who provides technical support to Roman and his friends. His character enhances the appeal of the work by incorporating historical figures into the fiction. Manami Kanade is a shrine maiden in charge of gathering information and is also a skilled archer. Her character symbolizes feminine strength and wisdom.

Animation and visuals

The animation of "Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman" is a highlight of the high quality production by TMS Entertainment. Character design is by Satoshi Hirayama, who follows the style of the original creator Monkey Punch while bringing out his own unique charm. Art setting is by Shigeru Kanehira, who realistically recreates the streets and scenery of the end of the Edo period. Color design is by Hiromi Miyawaki, and the colorful visuals are a visual treat.

In particular, the scenes where Roman is in action are full of sudden movements and bold action, fully demonstrating the technical skill of the animation. In addition, the unique personalities of each character are expressed visually, such as Okuni's bewitching beauty and Magoichi's use of the Karakuri gun.

Music and Sound

The music is by Hiroshi Takagi, and many songs are included that enhance the atmosphere of the period drama. In particular, the opening theme "RanTiKi" was written, composed, and arranged by Hisashi Asano, and Yukino's powerful singing voice symbolizes the theme of the work. The ending theme "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" was written by Hisashi Sudo, composed by Yuki Saito, and sung by Hige, and is a song that gives a sense of the depth of the story.

The sound director is Kawazoe Kengo, who brings out the performances of the character voice actors. Nakai Kazuya's voice for Roman skillfully expresses both his usual lackluster nature and the strength of a noble thief. Kitamura Eri's voice for Koharu realistically portrays the character of a hardworking woman who supports her brother. Suzumura Kenichi's voice for Magoichi conveys a sense of mission hidden behind his smile. Uchida Maaya's voice for Okuni shines with her acting, exuding seductiveness and scheming.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Bakumatsu Gininden Roman" is a work that depicts the exploits of a righteous thief, with history and fiction intertwined. It has been highly praised in all respects, including the appeal of the story, the individuality of the characters, the quality of the animation, and the wonderful music. It is especially recommended for viewers who love history and stories about righteous thieves. In addition, the scenes depicting family love and bonds will resonate with a wide range of viewers.

This is a short series of 12 episodes, but each episode depicts a different incident and character growth, so it never gets boring. In particular, the subtitle "Generous!" provides entertainment for the viewer. This is a work that kills two birds with one stone, as you can learn about the history of the end of the Edo period and the dark side of society while following the exploits of Roman and his friends.

Here are some recommendations for viewers:

• History buffs will enjoy the story that makes use of the backdrop of the end of the Edo period.
• For those who like stories about righteous thieves, Roman and his friends' exploits will provide a sense of satisfaction.
• For those who enjoy scenes depicting family love and bonds, the relationship between Koharu and Roman will warm your heart.
• For those who value animation quality, TMS Entertainment's technical capabilities will shine.
• For those who enjoy music, the opening and ending theme songs are recommended.

Above is my comprehensive review and recommendation of "Bakumatsu Gijinden Romance". This is a fascinating anime that depicts the exploits of a righteous thief, with history and fiction intertwined. Please watch it and feel its charm.