The Hakkenden: Shin Shou

This is the second part of this OVA series. This run was from 1993-1995. I am again assuming that the synopsis for the first part of this series has been read. These are the last 7 of the 13 episodes in this series.

This part of the OVA series blurs the lines between reality and illusion even further than the first 6 episodes. Strange is the word, but you will see plenty of bloody battles, and a lot of the dark side of humanity. I want to also remind of the time period this is based in, we are talking the mid 1400's.

The animation styles ... vary in a couple episodes, in fact I absolutely hated the animation in episode 10/13. I loved the episode as a psychosis snapping episode, but I barely made it through the episode due to the animation style. That episode aside, the rest is pretty much right in line with the first part of the series in animation and sound. It wasn't the best of the time period, and it was mediocre in these categories at best.

The story however takes a turn towards the realm of very strange, and I really liked that about this story. It isn't your happy "the good guys will triumph in glory" type of story. In fact, you will most likely end this series asking "what the heck did I just watch" or you'll feel strangely at ease with the open feeling at the end. It really is a cerebral challenge, and that's what makes it good. The ending of the story ties you back to the beginning, which is necessary after the roller coaster ride they take you on through the story. I cannot say that they tie everything up in a pretty ribbon for you, in fact I had a similar feeling at the end of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Now I am not saying they are the same, but I am merely comparing to the emotional state I had as a viewer with the ending of both.

This is different than the current norm, and that's what I liked. Keep these comments in mind if you want to check this series out. Lastly I will explain why I gave both runs of this OVA series a 7 overall. Quite simply I liked it, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. I like strange and different in my anime at times, and though I liked it, I didn't love it. It is worth watching once or twice, but it doesn't have high repeat value.