Donten ni Warau

In the 11th year of the Meiji Era, the end of the samurai shogunate and the prohibition of swords has left Japan with lasting scars. Displeased by these recent changes, many former samurai plot against the new government, inciting a wave of bloodshed. To counter this movement, the government constructs a colossal prison in the middle of Lake Biwa.

Unofficially assigned to help the police arrest criminals, Tenka Kumou also serves as a ferryman to the Lake Biwa prison with the help of his two younger siblings: the ambitious Soramaru and the enthusiastic Chuutarou. Together with the former Fuma ninja Shirasu Kinjou, the Kumou brothers live a frugal and joyful life mostly dedicated to studying and training.

However, behind this relatively uneventful daily routine, the specter of the "Orochi" curse is starting to spread its shadow over the city of Oumi. According to legend, every three hundred years, Orochi reincarnates in a human vessel—and it is believed that this is the harbinger of an imminent catastrophe. As various groups clash in search of Orochi's vessel, some aim to seal the curse, while others have darker plans in motion.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kumou, Tenka Main

Nakamura, Yuuichi Japanese

Kinjou, Shirasu Main

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Kumou, Soramaru Main

Kaji, Yuuki Japanese

Kumou, Chuutarou Main

Yonaga, Tsubasa Japanese

Nishiki Supporting

Noto, Mamiko Japanese

Abeno, Hirari Supporting

Suzumura, Kenichi Japanese

Abeno, Sousei Supporting

Toriumi, Kousuke Japanese

Kagami, Naoto Supporting

Miki, Shinichiro Japanese

Ashiya, Mutsuki Supporting

Fujiwara, Yuuki Japanese

Botan Supporting

Satou, Rina Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Hosoi, Shunsuke Producer

Inage, Hiroyuki Producer

Haraguchi, Hiroshi Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation

Reviews

Jul 4, 2021

Banisoup

Recommended

I had a hard time rating this one! It's definitely a shonen anime but it's different than the other ones I've seen, it has a lot of heart! They don't have filler in this show and honest to god I feel like they could have spent a bit more time on the story only because I really enjoyed watching the relationships and.... some of them needed more time. The brothers designs were what peaked my interest and then their relationships. They have some amazing banter and really show a different side than what I'm used to seeing with shows like this. It's a short anime ... so I highly recommend checking it out!

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Apr 11, 2025

Mosumex

Mixed Feelings

Another anime with potential that got butchered by bad pacing, forced/unrealistic interactions, emotions, resolutions, and poor character and story development. The writing felt both good and bad at the same time—the overall concept and story arcs are solid, but the way they're executed, at least in the anime, is just very underwhelming. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s better in the manga. The animation is okay nothing worth pointing out. Overall, it’s just alright. Could be worse, but I bet this could’ve been far better with around 24 episodes or so... but oh well, it is what it is. Still dont know how this got ... arount 7.50 score Here tho xd.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Feb 10, 2018

mushimk

Not Recommended

Lame. In every possible way. It's a real struggle to find anything good about this anime : Action scenes are mediocre, somewhat barely enjoyable at their best. Rhythm is a disaster, especially since the comedy/bromance cut-scenes intervenes at the worst possible time, with not even an once of originality, and all predictable. Was the bromance even necessary to the story to begin with ... ? That could have been - at least - an effective bait, a trap to lure the young girls audience but when it's done that bad, I can only see it as a mockery, an insult to their intelligence.
And the story ... is not helping, of course. 3 to 4 episodes are enough to know where the whole thing is going (here's come the convenient monster... yay !).
Mostly, this anime goes down because it's cheap. Everything's cheap. There was no real effort to strenghten the good points (if any) and alleviate the weaknesses.
You can still watch this, nevertheless, if you're in need for a way to spend some time. But there's no way you will remember Donten ni Warau as an unforgettable anime.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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	BRUH 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Jeremygrandison - Feb 24	4 replies	by KamiNoHikari »» Feb 27, 10:21 AM
	Poll: Donten ni Warau Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Nov 21, 2014	59 replies	by el_morris »» Dec 29, 2024 3:57 PM
	Poll: Donten ni Warau Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Oct 10, 2014	73 replies	by LeonhartAugust »» Nov 1, 2023 7:33 PM
	Poll: Donten ni Warau Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Oct 24, 2014	52 replies	by OberonFelsach »» Sep 12, 2023 6:00 AM
	Poll: Donten ni Warau Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Dec 19, 2014	100 replies	by WatcherFPS »» May 2, 2023 12:47 AM