The appeal and evaluation of "Ooku": A new perspective on historical drama

"Ooku" anime review and details

"Ooku" is an anime based on the manga of the same name by Yoshinaga Fumi, and began streaming on Netflix on June 29, 2023. It consists of 10 episodes, with an average episode length of 29 minutes. It is directed by Abe Noriyuki, animated by Studio Deen, and produced by Netflix. Below, we will take a deeper look at the appeal and details of this work.

Story Summary

"Ooku" is a historical fantasy set in the Edo period. The story depicts a world where the male population has drastically decreased due to an epidemic. As a result, women have become the center of society, and especially in the shogun's "Ooku," women have come to hold power. The story follows the protagonist, Miyo, a beautiful and resourceful woman, as she enters the Ooku and faces various difficulties and conspiracies.

Character Introduction

Miyo

The main character, Miyo, is a woman chosen to enter the Ooku. She is not only beautiful, but also has wisdom and courage, and overcomes various challenges in the Ooku. Miyo's growth and change are at the heart of the story, captivating the viewer.

Shogun Tsunayoshi

Shogun Tsunayoshi is the apex figure in the Ooku. With a small male population, he takes various measures to maintain his power among the women. Tsunayoshi's character is portrayed as a symbol of power and lust.

The person who transmitted

Oden is one of the central characters in Ooku. She is Miyo's rival, but also her ally. Her complex personality and actions add depth to the story.

The appeal of anime

History meets fantasy

While "Ooku" is set against the backdrop of the history of the Edo period, it creates a unique worldview by adding the fantasy element of a dramatic decline in the male population. This setting allows viewers to enjoy history from a different perspective than reality. Also, by depicting a society in which women are at the center, it makes viewers think about gender issues and the nature of power.

Beautiful visuals

The animation by Studio Deen beautifully recreates the atmosphere of the Edo period. In particular, the luxurious interior of the Ooku and the costumes of the characters are drawn with great attention to detail, making it highly visually appealing. In addition, the characters' expressions and movements are realistic, and emotional changes are expressed in detail.

Deep story and characters

The story of "Ooku" is not just a historical fantasy, but also a very deep human drama. The growth, conflicts, and changes in relationships of the characters, including Miyo, are carefully depicted, and have the power to draw the viewer in. Also, different themes are presented in each episode, and it is fun to think about how they will affect the overall story.

Background and Evaluation

Comparison with the original

The original "Ooku" is a manga by Yoshinaga Fumi, which was serialized by Hakusensha from 2004 to 2020. The original work is highly acclaimed for its original interpretation and creativity, while being based on historical facts. The anime version faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work, while bringing out new charms by visualizing it. In particular, it provides a fresh experience for fans of the original work by delving deeply into scenes and the inner thoughts of characters not depicted in the original work.

Director and staff commitment

Director Abe Noriyuki has a wealth of experience in historical dramas and fantasy works, and he has utilized his knowledge and skills in the production of "Ooku." He has particularly focused on research to accurately recreate the customs and culture of the Edo period, as well as on portraying the characters' psychological state. The staff at Studio Deen also respect the worldview of the original work while pursuing expression that is unique to anime. These kinds of attention to detail have improved the quality of the work.

Viewers' reactions

Since its release on Netflix, "Ooku" has been highly praised by many viewers. It has been especially praised for the depth of the story, the appeal of the characters, and the beautiful visuals. The historical fantasy genre is also fresh and has attracted the interest of viewers. There have also been heated discussions on social media about characters such as Miyo and Oden no Kata, which speaks to the popularity of the work.

Recommended points

People who like historical fantasy

The appeal of "Ooku" is its unique worldview that combines history and fantasy. While the story is set against the backdrop of the customs and culture of the Edo period, the setting of a dramatic decline in the male population is fresh and captivating to viewers. This is a work that will be particularly enjoyable for those who like historical fantasy.

People who like deep human dramas

"Ooku" is not just a historical fantasy, but also a very deep human drama. The growth, conflicts, and changes in relationships of the characters, including Miyo, are carefully depicted, and it has the power to draw the viewer in. If you like deep human dramas, this is a work you should definitely watch.

People who like beautiful visuals

The animation by Studio Deen beautifully recreates the atmosphere of the Edo period. In particular, the luxurious interior of the Ooku and the costumes of the characters are drawn with great attention to detail, making it highly visually appealing. This is a work that will satisfy anyone who likes beautiful visuals.

Related works and recommendations

Related Titles

The original work of "Ooku" is a manga by Yoshinaga Fumi, and other works include "In the Mood for Love" and "Antonio Inoki". Many of these works also depict history and human drama, and are recommended for fans of "Ooku". Also, like the anime version of "Ooku", other related works that depict historical fantasy include "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" and "Attack on Titan".

Recommended Works

For fans of "Ooku," we also recommend the following works:

"Demon slayer"

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" is a fantasy work based on a historical background, and tells the story of a boy whose family was killed by demons and who vows to take revenge. With beautiful visuals and deep human drama, it is a work that fans of "Ooku" can enjoy.

"Attack on Titan"

"Attack on Titan" is a story about the survival of humanity under attack by giant titans. Its worldview, which combines historical background with fantasy elements, is appealing, and is recommended for fans of "Ooku."

"In the Mood for Love"

"In the Mood for Love" is a manga by Yoshinaga Fumi, set in the red-light district of the Edo period. With beautiful visuals and deep human drama, it is a work that fans of "Ooku" will also enjoy.

summary

"Ooku" is a work that is appealing for its unique worldview that combines history and fantasy, its deep human drama, and its beautiful visuals. The growth, conflicts, and changes in relationships of the characters, including the protagonist Miyo, are carefully depicted, drawing viewers in. In addition, the animation by Studio Deen beautifully recreates the atmosphere of the Edo period and is highly visually appealing. This is a work that fans of historical fantasy, deep human drama, and beautiful visuals should definitely watch.

Other related works that are recommended include "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," "Attack on Titan," and "In the Mood for Love." These works also have a worldview that combines historical background with fantasy elements, and deep human drama, making them enjoyable for fans of "Ooku."

All 10 episodes of "Ooku" are available on Netflix. Please enjoy this fascinating work.