Reviews

Some might find it difficult to get into this show. The way the story is told to us makes it clear that the two main characters have survived whatever ordeals they faced, and the action itself is not nearly as kinetically satisfying, juicy or frequent as you get in lots of other anime, particularly ones that tend away from the moe side of the scale. Therefore, don't go into this expecting a huge amount of intensity, drama, action or gushing feels. Gifu Dodo is in essence a temperate tale told in smaller stories and adventures that tend to involve strategy, philosophy, courage and loyalty, all imbibed with and pulled together by a theme of fraternal righteousness that actually has an effect unlike the best dialogue between characters many other shows have to offer. It somehow manages to do this without coming across as pretentious, most likely given the upbeat and ridiculous yet resolute tone embellished by some great, strong visuals and soundtrack. Though the show is for the most part extremely serious and can be taken as such, this actually makes it quite humorous too on the side. This is summarized aptly by the character of Uesugi Kagekatsu, the' man who has never smiled', who furrows his brow in such a manly way that it makes creaking sounds...

Despite the humorousness of the exaggerated masculinity, the series is riddled with memorable scenes that are slowly and deliberately set up. It's soothingly anti-hyperactive material that you can really sit down to and appreciate at your pace, one episode at a time or several. The same can't be said of many superior animes, which often are either action from start to finish, or which unhappily lurch between this and filler episodes that fail to satisfy.

Unfortunately, the budding brotherhood between Kanetsugu and Keiji, which by the midpoint of the show had evolved to become one of its main charms, was all but discarded for the second half. It starts to feel strange that Keiji only really has a presence in the opening and closing credits as well as the sake-drinking scenes of discussion with his friend in the present, given that the show seemed to be about the two of them rather than simply how awesome Kanetsugu is, and the plots around his origins. A host of side-characters file in and out of the episodes, but tend to fail at filling the gap left behind by the eccentric tiger-warrior, not least when they introduce a certain non-human character and give the slightly dull ninja a more central role. I'm not saying any of this to spoil anyone, but rather because I kept expecting Keiji to show up again during the second half, and my viewing experience suffered due to this never happening.

Moreover, while I only have praise for the better scenes of this series, there is a lot of time in each episode filled by less impressive or interesting activity, which is a shame because it results in a test of patience that it would appear many potential viewers of this show weren't prepared to put up with. The theme of righteousness and exploration of various individuals' pursuit of it in their own ways is also somewhat dropped and altogether, despite the brilliant denouements in episodes 21 and 25, the second half of Gifu Dodo felt somewhat lacking in departments that it initially charmed me with.

Still, it remains a great anime, its flaws being largely made up for by its exaggerated, uplifting, masculine charm. Feel like a change from screaming, teenaged protagonists, moe and hyperactiveness? Kick back and watch Gifu Dodo.

6.5/10