Just finished up Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls over the weekend. For any otaku that thoroughly appreciates vicious, visceral combat with no holds barred fighting, a decent amount of fan service and some insane special abilities, look no further than Gonzos 2005 ninja epic television series.
Basilisk tells the tale of two opposing Ninja clans, the Kouga and the Iga, who are selected by the Tokugawa shogunate to battle it out in order to settle a very particular dispute. Ten of the best combatants from each side are selected, their names recorded on a scroll and then instructed to battle until the last man standing. For the two clans who have held an intense hatred for each other for over 400 years now this is finally the chance they have been waiting for. With the peace accord now broken, the time for bloody action is now finally upon them.
And just to add a little more spice to the story, two lovers from the opposing sides must now face off against one another – can their love prove stronger than the 400 year old blood grudge etched in their clans pride?
Basilisk is a roller-coaster of action. The fighting scenes are strongly done, the animation smooth and detailed. The ninja super abilities are varied and the tight story that keeps you guessing as to who is going to perish next lends to a wonderful sense of drama and action. The beautiful soundtrack serves to blend it all together, leaving in the end a very strong product in the well know Gonzo stable.
If you like hot ninja action, look no further.