Mugen no Juunin: Immortal

Manji is an infamous swordsman in feudal Japan who is known as the "Hundred Man Killer," as he has killed one hundred innocent men. However, there is something far more frightening than his ominous reputation: the fact that he is immortal. This is the handiwork of eight-hundred-year-old nun Yaobikuni, who placed bloodworms capable of healing almost any wound in Manji's body.

To atone for his crimes, Manji resolves to kill one thousand evil men. Yaobikuni agrees to this proposal, saying that if he succeeds, she will undo his curse of immortality. Soon after this promise, Manji meets Rin Asano, a 16-year-old girl who requests Manji's assistance in killing those who slaughtered her parents.

Initially reluctant, Manji refuses Rin's desperate plea. However, owing to her evident lack of strength, Manji changes his mind and agrees to protect Rin for four years. With this partnership set in stone, the two embark on a perilous journey of bloodshed, vengeance, and redemption, each to fulfill their own life's cause.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Manji Main

Tsuda, Kenjirou Japanese

Anotsu, Kagehisa Main

Sasaki, Nozomu Japanese

Asano, Rin Main

Sakura, Ayane Japanese

Otono-Tachibana, Makie Supporting

Kuwashima, Houko Japanese

Magatsu, Taito Supporting

Suzuki, Tatsuhisa Japanese

Hyakurin Supporting

Hayashi, Marika Japanese

Shira Supporting

Nara, Tooru Japanese

Giichi Supporting

Shirokuma, Hiroshi Japanese

Yoshino, Doa Supporting

Kugimiya, Rie Japanese

Habaki, Kagimura Supporting

Nakata, Jouji Japanese

Aoi, Hiroyuki Producer

Hamasaki, Hiroshi Director, Storyboard

Shimizu, Youji Sound Director

Kitamura, Junichi Episode Director

Reviews

Mar 2, 2022

Lin_Wu

Recommended

This is one of those animes that you would enjoy if you studied a bit about the history revolving around the period. Though I cannot confirm the costumes' accuracy nor the protagonist's Rin's mindset to be accurate, the overall picture of seeing how the samurai is represented is told very well.

Starting with a few points to cover, the buildup of the tale is pretty average, there are the major heroes, there are the villains with empathetic backgrounds, and there are the average "hero's journey" conflicts along.

The art is actually quite well done. I enjoyed the unique way of depicting the characters and the colors ... to be put giving a raw and bloody feel to feudal Japan. However, how often the fights occur is a bit absurd. What I must comment on is that this anime is not afraid to show something extremely unpleasant and will always surprise you with the death of a character that is not the main hero/villain.

In terms of commenting on the anime OP, it is horrendous. From the beginning to the end of this series, the opening is just terrible. It matches the vibe of the anime by a bit but it is utterly horrible to the ear.

[SPOILERS]

However, my main question to ask this anime is its ending. What did it want to say? What do we, viewers get out after watching this? Essentially what this is, is trying to build as many unnecessary obscure obstacles only to be overcome by obscure ways by the heroes to reach a conclusion. However, is the conclusion meaningful? Rin, all the way to the end, did not reach any sort of achievement with her sword. Mr. Manji did not redeem himself in any true way by killing the people, nor did Rin actually prove anything by killing Kigehisa. It's as if killing anyone even from the beginning had no point and the series of events that have occurred literally changed nothing.

Aside from how I personally viewed this plot. I'd say I particularly enjoyed this. It's kind of serious all the times which matches the style and story and the villains are all very well built except for Mr. Skeletal arm. In the end, I feel like this was a good anime, very unique one in my list but truly, if 7 was labeled as good, then this is the perfect score. It doesn't deserve worse but it doesn't really deserve anything too much more than this. Not to me anyways. However this is just my opinion, I really think you should watch it if you aren't sensitive to blood, killing, rape, etc...

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jun 2, 2024

OniChanImOnly12

Mixed Feelings

One of the most surprising aspects of this anime is the complete absence of fanservice. For a series that delves deeply into mature themes and doesn't shy away from graphic violence and gore, the lack of fanservice feels out of place in the context of typical anime tropes. Many fans expect at least a degree of fanservice to balance the darker elements, and its absence here makes "Mugen no Juunin: Immortal" feel somewhat sterile and incomplete as an anime experience. The decision to focus solely on gore without the lighter, often expected elements of fanservice is both surprising and disappointing.

On the visual side, the anime ... does not disappoint. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed, and the animation quality is top-notch, capturing the brutal and bloody nature of the story. The detailed art style and dynamic action sequences are a treat for fans of samurai battles and intense combat.

"Mugen no Juunin: Immortal" is a visually stunning anime with a compelling story, marred by a disappointing ending and an unexpected lack of fanservice. While it excels in delivering a dark and mature narrative with fantastic action scenes, the absence of lighter elements traditionally found in anime leave fans feeling unsatisfied. It's worth watching for its strong points, but be prepared for an ending that may not live up to the journey.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Mar 27, 2020

JiangHaoyi1979

Not Recommended

Well, this was quite unique ONA, given that its title was Mugen No Juunin or Blade of the Immortal, but it was a bit of a disappointment when the ONA itself doesn't live up to its title, so here are my ratings:

Story- Good 7: For a while it does have a very good story plot when it involves a girl who was the daughter of a certain samurai master that was killed by them Itto Ryu antagonists. But, that just as good as it get, cu'z as one gets to the middle of the series it becomes a disappointment.


Art- Good 7: It does have ... mild nudity but most of it were artistic, however there times that when it comes to the fighting scene one would get blindsided as if if you'd like to ask "How did he/she do that???", also there time that some illustrations were just too distorted that it would take a while to get it.

Sound-fair 6: No comment here.

Character-Poor 3: Frankly, being an immortal this is were the main protagonist Manjin should have had that god-tier powers given that he's been alive for a very long time and he himself would had the experience to be able to see through his enemies attacks, instead, he finds himself in need of assistance and help from his side kick Rin, now I don't know about you guys but him having such attributes was a waste of his skills , it would have been better if original creator , Samura Hiroaki would have portrayed him as a mortal with skills in fighting and in the end he gives his life in defense of Rin when he squares off with Anotsu, Kagehisa, Rin Asano, was somewhat of a damsel in distares but there were times that she was this cold blooded killer and whats confusing about her was that there were time that she forgets her objective of getting revenge, there were time that her being with Manji was more like a romantic interest......also, about them Itto Ryu antagonist there were times that they're the good guys and time that they're the bad guys..Now this was the problem of the original creator, Samura Hiroaki, he basically jumbol from one set of protagonist to another set of antagonist that sometimes who the bad guy is would be confusing until he introduces them Mugai-ryū that was headed by Kagimura Hibaki that has finally identifies itself as the main antagonist.

Enjoyment- Good 7: As an ONA, this was worth watching but barely cu'z adding some mild nudity and some rape scene gives this ONA something to be not let go of.

Overall- Poor 3: As I've said , this was worth watching but only barely, cu'z how it ended was pretty much rushed that the ending was messy.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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	Poll: Mugen no Juunin: Immortal Episode 18 Discussion Illyricus - Feb 5, 2020	30 replies	by Thecrot »» Jul 15, 3:18 PM
	Poll: Mugen no Juunin: Immortal Episode 20 Discussion Illyricus - Feb 26, 2020	27 replies	by Niveen_Sleem »» Jun 28, 2:58 PM
	Poll: Mugen no Juunin: Immortal Episode 24 Discussion ( 1 2 ) KANLen09 - Mar 25, 2020	56 replies	by Thecrot »» Jun 27, 12:39 PM
	Poll: Mugen no Juunin: Immortal Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Joseahfer - Oct 9, 2019	82 replies	by Niveen_Sleem »» Jun 18, 2:15 PM
	Blade of the Immortal (a hidden masterpiece). Thecrot - May 14	10 replies	by Thecrot »» May 14, 10:24 PM

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