The appeal and reviews of "Hakyuu Houshin Engi": A mythical adventure that anime fans must see

"Hakyu ​​Hoshin Engi": A fusion of an ancient Chinese epic tale and modern anime

"Hakyuu Houshin Engi" is a TV anime series based on the manga by Fujisaki Ryu, which is based on an ancient Chinese legend. Broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 from January 12 to June 29, 2018, the 23-episode series has the appeal of drawing viewers into the mysterious world of ancient China. Here, we will take a detailed look at the story, characters, production staff, and even music to find out why this work is so beloved by so many fans.

story

"Hakyu ​​Hoshin Engi" is set in the Dian Dynasty period of ancient China, over 3,000 years ago. During this time, the emperor of the time, King Chu, was known as a wise ruler skilled in both the arts and martial arts. However, after taking the beautiful Daki as his empress, King Chu fell into a state of soulless emptiness. Controlled by Daki's magic, King Chu became a puppet. Daki and her companions ruled the dynasty, exploiting the people while living in luxury themselves.

Meanwhile, in order to save the human world, the "Fengshen Plan" is put into action to seal evil immortals and Taoist priests in the divine realm. The person chosen by Yuanshi Tianzun to carry out this plan is the Taoist priest Taigong Wang (Jiang Ziya). Taigong Wang trained under Yuanshi Tianzun, the head priest of Kunlun, and acquired the skills of an immortal. However, due to his natural laziness, he remained a Taoist priest, but he is entrusted with the Fengshen Plan. Although he appears to be a fool on the surface, he possesses a rare intelligence, even in Kunlun.

The story depicts Taigong Wang's encounters with various characters, his battles, and his growth as he advances his plan to seal the gods. In particular, the story portrays Taigong Wang's relationship with his companion, the mystical beast Sifu Xiang, and the bond he forms with his comrades as they stand up against Daji's schemes. The battle to save the people from King Chu's rule unfolds on an epic scale.

character

There are many unique characters in "Hakyuu Houshin Engi". The main characters are introduced below.

Taigong Wang (Jiang Ziya)

Voice actor: Kensho Ono

He lost his family at a young age and trained under Yuanshi Tianzun, the head priest of Kunlun, as a Taoist priest. Although he has the skills of a sage, his natural laziness has caused him to remain a Taoist priest. However, Yuanshi Tianzun entrusts him with the plan to seal the gods, and although he pretends to be a fool on the surface, he is a man of rare intelligence, even in Kunlun. Taigong Wang's growth and battles are the central axis of the story.

The four unseen

Voice actor: Takahiro Sakurai

At first glance, it looks like a hippopotamus, but it is a sacred animal. It serves as Taigong Wang's vehicle and good-natured companion. At first, he is annoyed by Taigong Wang's carelessness, but gradually he learns of Taigong Wang's hardships and the determination he holds in his heart, and he begins to respect him. He has a good-natured personality, and is known for adding "~ssu" to the end of his sentences.

Yang Jian

Voice actor: Yuichi Nakamura

He is a handsome Taoist priest with the immortal name Seigen Myo Do Shinkun. Although he is a Taoist priest, he has fighting abilities that exceed those of the Twelve Immortals of Kunlun, and is highly respected even in Kunlun. He is ordered by Yuanshi Tianzun to assist Taigong Wang, but he faces various challenges in fulfilling his role.

Yellow sky

Voice actor: KENN

He is the second son of Huang Feihu and trained under the True Master of Qingxu Daode in the Kunlun Mountains. He joined Huang Feihu and his friends, and with his very straightforward personality, he leads those around him without worrying about anything at any time. He has a fighting spirit that is hard to imagine from his appearance, and with the help of his martial arts talent inherited from his father, Huang Feihu, he becomes an important fighting force for the Zhou army.

Yellow Flying Tiger

Voice actor: Yoshimasa Hosoya

He is the eldest son of the Huang family and the central figure of the clan. He serves as the Chief Wucheng King, who oversees the country's military affairs, and is known as a master of stick fighting. He is capable of unleashing ferocious attacks from his large body, and has fighting abilities and strong mental strength that rival those of immortals. His generous, open-minded personality endears him to many.

Fugen Shinjin

Voice actor: Shimazaki Nobunaga

He is one of the Twelve Immortals who specializes in physics, and is on good terms with Taiko Wang because they are classmates. Although he has a wealth of knowledge, he looks weak and is a pacifist who does not like conflict. However, he also has considerable fighting power because of the powerful treasure he uses, the Taikyokufuin.

Daji

Voice actor: Youko Hikasa

A fairy from Jinao Island, she has used her beauty to deceive successive rulers and torment the people since the time of the Xia Dynasty, which predates the Yin Dynasty. She has lived for over a thousand years and has accumulated incredible power, but her greatest weapon is her intelligence. She manipulates King Chu at will and commits repeated cruel acts.

King Chu

Voice actor: Daisuke Namikawa

The 30th emperor of the Shang Dynasty, skilled in both literature and martial arts, he was once loved by the people as a wise ruler. However, after he became fascinated with Daji, he spent all his time in the harem, lost interest in governing the country, and began to rule with oppression, refusing to listen to the advice of his loyal subjects.

Wen Zhong

Voice actor: Tomoaki Maeno

He has served the Yin Dynasty as Grand Master for about 300 years, supporting the country in many areas, including politics and military affairs. He trained on Kin'ao Island and is known as one of the three most powerful people in the world, alongside Daji and Zhao Gongming, but he is a modest person who has forbidden himself to use his powers in the human world. He regards the Yin Dynasty, which has served successive kings, as his own children, and will do everything in his power to crush anyone who opposes the Yin Dynasty.

Wang Tianjun

Voice actor: Nobuhiko Okamoto

He is a hermit who holds the final decision-making power over the Tenten-kun, and there is still much about him that is mysterious. His actions and goals will gradually become clear as the story progresses.

Shen Gongbao

Voice actor: Toriumi Kosuke

He is the strongest Taoist priest, wielding the strongest treasure, the Thunder Whip, and riding the strongest sacred beast, the Black Spot Tiger. He lives in the royal palace as a guest of Daji, but does not side with either the Yin or Zhou dynasty, instead observing the conflict between the two camps. His origins and goals are completely unknown, and his name is listed first in the Book of the Sealed Gods.

Production Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of "Hakyuu Houshin Engi." Below we introduce the main staff members.

original work

Ryu Fujisaki

Ryu Fujisaki created the worldview of this anime based on the Shueisha Bunko comic book version of "Fengshen Engi." The epic story based on an ancient Chinese legend has a fascinating appeal that draws viewers in.

director

Aizawa Kazuki

As the director of this anime, Kazuki Aizawa had a major influence on the progression of the story and the portrayal of the characters, and is highly praised for his ability to portray the atmosphere of ancient China in a modern anime style.

Series Composition

Natsuko Takahashi

Natsuko Takahashi has adapted the original story to suit the anime format, allowing viewers to become immersed in the story. She skillfully depicts the development of each episode and the growth of the characters.

Screenplay

Yoshiki Okusa, Rintaro Ikeda

Yoshiki Okusa and Rintaro Ikeda were in charge of the scripts for each episode, and they brought out the best in the original work. In particular, they carefully portrayed the emotions and conflicts of the characters, deeply moving the viewers.

Character Design

Yoshimitsu Yamashita

Yoshimitsu Yamashita was in charge of the visual design of the characters, faithfully recreating the image of the original work in the anime. His technique of visually expressing the individuality and charm of each character has been highly praised.

music

Maiko Iuchi

Maiko Iuchi is in charge of the music for this anime, providing beautiful melodies that evoke the atmosphere of ancient China. The music, especially during battle scenes and emotional scenes, plays an important role in evoking the emotions of the viewer.

Animation Production

C-Station

C-Station was in charge of the production of this anime and provided high quality animation, especially the battle scenes and character movements, which are visually very appealing.

Theme songs and music

The theme song and ending song of "Hakyuu Houshin Engi" are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. They are introduced below.

Opening Theme

"Treasure in Your Hands"

Song: Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

The song features a powerful melody and lyrics that symbolize Taigong Wang's growth and battles. It is an energetic song that makes the audience feel like the story is about to begin.

Ending Theme

"Intangible Outline"

Sung by: Yanagi Nagi

This song features a beautiful melody and lyrics that convey the character's feelings and the depth of the story. It plays an important role in helping viewers immerse themselves in the story.

subtitle

Each episode of "Hakyuu Houshin Engi" is composed of the following subtitles. You can get a sense of the content of each episode and the growth of the characters.

• Episode 1: "The Book of the Sealed God"
• Episode 2: "??"
• Episode 3: "Yang Jian"
• Episode 4: “Musei King Zou Rebellion”
• Episode 5: "Two Paths"
• Episode 6: "The Curtain Falls on the Wise Old Man"
• Episode 7: “Senkai War begins!!”
• Episode 8: "The Battle of the Ten Great Battles"
• Episode 9: "Concentration"
• Episode 10: "Blood Rain"
• Episode 11: "Insects"
• Episode 12: "New Romantic"
• Episode 13: "Mirror"
• Episode 14: "Parasite"
• Episode 15: "SHADOW"
• Episode 16: "The Master of Heavenly Teachings"
• Episode 17: "Samantha the Great"
• Episode 18: "Deadly Battle"
• Episode 19: "Wen Zhong"
• Episode 20: "When the Stars Fall"
• Episode 21: "Flash, Silence, and Then..."
• Episode 22: "Takeo Fuushin"
• Episode 23: "The Old Symbol and the Divergence of the Wind"

Ratings and Recommendations

"Hakyuu Houshin Engi" is a work that combines a magnificent story based on an ancient Chinese legend with the expressive power of modern animation. In particular, Taigong Wang's growth and battles, the individuality and bonds of the characters, and the epic-scale battle scenes are captivating to viewers. In addition, the music and theme songs are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work.

This work is recommended for those who are interested in ancient Chinese history and legends, those who want to enjoy a grand story and character growth, and those who want to enjoy beautiful animation and music. In particular, you will be able to enjoy the work more deeply if you pay attention to Taigong Wang's growth and fight, his relationship with the Four Bu Xiangs, and the bonds between the comrades who stand up against Daji's schemes.

"Hakyuu Houshin Engi" is a masterpiece that depicts the mysterious world of ancient China with the expressive power of modern animation, and this is why it is loved by so many fans. Please watch this work and feel its charm.