Anime Sunday: Touken Ranbu Episode 01 Impressions

This week for Anime Sunday I’m taking a look at another series from the Summer 2017 Season. It’s my Touken Ranbu Episode 01 Impressions!

Plot Synopsis: In the year 1863, Japan is split between the warring pro-shogunate and anti-shogunate factions. Izuminokami Kanesada is a Tōken danshi (刀剣男士, lit. “Sword Warrior”), which is a tsukumogami of a historical Japanese blade brought to life by the Saniwa (審神者). With new recruit Horikawa Kunihiro, they chase after the Jikan sokōgun (時間遡行軍, lit. “Time Retrograde Army”) to prevent history from being changed.

Plot: This first episode is pretty intense on the action which is perfect considering that this is animated by ufotable. There are plenty of questions that aren’t answered, like exactly how Kanesada or Kunihiro are person shaped, but I’m sure that it’ll be answered in later episodes. That being said if you are looking for a deep plot driven series along the lines of the Fate series, you may be disappointed.

Characters: Kanesada and Kunihiro are our two leads, and they are pretty intriguing even if we don’t know a whole lot about their background. There are plenty of things we really don’t know about them, except that Kunihiro is a newbie to this whole preservation of history.

Artwork: As you might expect from a ufotable studio the artwork is excellent. The action sequences are always a joy to watch with ufotable and Touken Ranbu isn’t any different.

Music: The music is pretty decent, not super amazing like something from a Final Fantasy game, but not bad at all.

Overall: If you enjoy amazing action sequences, or just like looking at pretty boys who are actually swords than Touken Ranbu is a perfect fit for you.

For those who like: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Amazing Artwork, Intriguing Plot, Good Music.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Anime Sunday: Nobunagun

This week for Anime Sunday I’m covering a series that I enjoyed the heck out of, if only for seeing the absolute insanity that they put the characters through. It’s Nobunagun this week!

Plot Synopsis: To protect the world from the impending invasion of the alien species known only as “Evolutionary Invasion Objects”, the supranational organization DOGOO created special warriors through DNA manipulation called E-Gene holders. These E-Gene holders are the reincarnations of various historical figures. Using special weapons called AU balls, E-gene holders can call forth AU weapons with an affinity to their assigned historical figure and use it against the invaders. Sio Ogura is one of them, being the reincarnation of Oda Nobunaga. However, her memories of her past life are limited only by dreams about the military past. Going on a school trip in Taiwan, Ogura gets caught in the middle of a battle between Evolutionary Invasion Objects and Dogoo’s E-gene holders, alongside her classmate Asao Kaoru.

Plot: The plot isn’t very serious, but it does have it’s serious moments. That said it’s really just a fun romp with characters from history kicking lots of ass.

Characters: Sio is pretty cool as a main character, even if she is a military nerd and is hopelessly incompetent when it comes to anything resembling social grace. Actually out of all the main characters I prefer Jack the most. I was a little disappointed there wasn’t a Teddy Roosevelt character, having his weapon be a huge freaking staff of wood would have been hilarious and great.

Art: The art in this series is decent, nothing amazing, however it’s definitely flashy enough for the plot of this series.

Music: The music for this series is fantastic and while the opening isn’t immediately enjoyable it grows on you over time.

Overall: If you enjoy your historical figures, or just want a good sci-fi action series this is worth a shot.

For those who like: History, Sci-Fi, Action, Crazy Plot, Crazier Artwork, Great Music.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.