Another October has come. For those new to the blog, this time of year I always try to find an Anime that is either Horror or Supernatural themed for the Halloween Holiday. Hellsing, Silent Mobius, Supernatural: The Anime Series and Hellsing Ultimate have all been solid choices (with varying degrees of success in both overall goodness and horror factor). While I don’t think this years choice might be particularly scary, there’s still plenty of supernatural thrills to be found in a Team Deathmatch between two warring Ninja Clans. Welcome to Basilisk, or as I like to call it “Romeo and Juliet…with Ninjas.”
The tale of doomed love is a tale as old as time itself, rarely perfected the way William Shakespeare wrote his magnum love opus Romeo and Juliet. We’ve seen the story adapted in several ways across history from musicals like West Side Story to Baz Lurhmman’s trippy 1996 Music Video style retelling. Moving the setting to Japan and giving us super powered bad asses as part of the factions at war? Well that might just be the best version you could teach to a high school English course to get them excited. And while the love story at the center of this battle is both bothersome and admirable, the action around it is pretty cool, even if the intro presents it as a bit…one sided.
First, our two leads. Gennosuke and Oboro are both adorable and kind of infuriating, more so on Oboro’s side of things. I never doubt for a moment that these two are clearly in love and possess an innocence we all we had more of in life. Both are kind, soft spoken and more peace minded than most of their respective clans. It was nice to see Gennosuke and Oboro’s relationship mirrored against that of their grandparents, Danjou and Ogen, and see that while their love might be blossoming, theirs a chance they’ll end up bitter like Danjou and Ogen and end up killing each other…though it was hard not to shed a tear seeing Ogen die crying in the arms of her former love. Oboro though…God she cant be so naieve as to not know her bloodthirsty crew is conspiring behind her back…can she? I can kind of see the playing with expectations angle: Oboro apparently possesses an ability that would make any Ninja crap their pants…and it’s in possession of a girl who the poster girl for the phrase “Ignorance is bliss”. Gennosuke, on the other hand, knows damn well something is up but isn’t acting on it. Is he hoping for the best or planning for the worst? These two are cute together but the world going to hell around them while they giggle is a bit off putting.
Now, how about the rest of this demonic ninja roster. Outlining a competition against two teams of ten is a solid idea and one that’s been used in several Anime before and since (we already saw a similar setup in Fate/Apocrypha earlier this year). Each of the team members selected is a beast in their own way (sometimes literally). I like the wide array of traditional Ninja skill and supernatural elements presented from body contorting to seduction (God all the women in this show are freaking gorgeous, especially Okoi and Akeginu), to turning yourself into a slug or running around with flaps on your belly because you have no arms or legs. No two characters possess the same abilities which keeps things fresh, unique and exciting. The problem, however, is that this contest of clans is incredibly one sided at the moment. Kind of like I did with X-1999: The Series a few years back, ill be doing updates at the end of every review showing who’s left on which side. But damn, the Koga are being slaughtered so quickly it’s like watching Alien vs. Predator and watching 2/3 Predators get picked off within 5 minutes of each other. By the time we reach the end of Episode 6, half of the Koga 10 roster is dead and one is possibly on their way out depending on how next weeks beginning plays out. This is supposed to be a 24 episodes series. But given how quickly characters are being introduced and offed just as quickly (poor Jubei and Kazamachi), are we sure Basilisk isn’t going to outstay its welcome by its halfway mark?
I will give Studio Gonzo credit where credit is due. Ive covered some of their works in the past like the original Hellsing and Peacemaker Kurogane. While Hellsing had a unique aesthetic, it’s overall story wasn’t exactly memorable and Peacemaker turned out to be a pretty bland and forgettable look at the Shinsengumi. Basilik looks like the studio is learning from past mistakes. The story, while moving along quickly than id expect, is exciting and intriguing to watch. Animation wise, this is the best looking TV Anime Gonzo has done to date. It doesn’t look as basic or shoddy as Peacemaker and instead goes for a smoother, bloodier aesthetic that pushes it closer to Hellsing. And the character designs…these are some freaking scary Ninjas. Yes their expressions in attacking and in death (jeez nightmare fuel cackles from Danjou and Ogen) but it works for Basilik, especially when it’s trying to be as brutal and horrific with its kills as possible. It’s like watching a TV Ninja Scroll and YES I know that actually exists and I’ve never seen it so let me have this one.
Alrighty, let’s wrap this first review up with a recap. First, I present the rosters for both teams:
The Koga Manjudani 10-Gennosuke, Kagero, Saemon, Hyouma, Gyoubu, Okoi, Jousuke, Jubei, Kazamachi, Danjou
The Iga Tsubagakure 10-Oboro, Tenzen, Akeginu, Koshirou, Jingorou, Hotarubi, Nenki, Rousai, Yashamaru, Ogen
Casualty List
Koga
Danjo-Killed by Ogen using the same needle he used on her before she expires
Jubei-Sliced in half by Tenzen
Kazamachi-Stabbed to death by Hotorubi
Jousuke-Killed by Jingorou when he inserted himself into his body
Iga
Ogen-Killed by Danjou with one of his needles
Yashamaru-Choked to death by Gyoubu
Which puts the Iga Clan in the lead with a score of 4-2. The Koga have some serious catching up to do and Gennosuke and Oboro need to put the snuggles and cuteness away and get involved before things escalate beyond repair…though even then it might be too late for that. Basilisk is just getting started and I’ll see ya back here next week for more Ninja slaying action.
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