This anime has a lot of potential but it really depends on how the anime plays out through the rest of the season.
CHARACTERS:
To start with character's and there development, there is some. We are slowly introduced to each characters background which is good for development and understanding their motives, however, it may be a little much as each episode so far has jumped between quite a few different characters (each episode featuring a different character or duo) while still retaining a center view on our two main characters Gabimaru and Sagiri. We can see some character development for Gabimaru due to the interactions with his wife and Sagiri, and some character development with Sagiri as she faces the struggles of being seen as inferior as a female samurai. However the character development is minimal though it may be still to early to tell.
ANIMATION:
Average. The characters and scenery are drawn well, the actual animation is standard, nothing extraordinary.
SOUND:
Average.
STORY:
Has potential. So far the story of looking for the elixir of immortality by a group of criminals and their samurai guards on a fantastical island has potential. However, there is a lot of wasted time overly focusing on side characters backgrounds, and repetitive filler of characters going over what we already learned about the fantastical world they inhabit. One of the more interesting aspects is Gabimaru's flashbacks, not to his wife, but to the head of his ninja clan. (Minor spoiler) It would seem that his clan leader is himself immortal which raises the question of whether or not he had found the elixir of immortality himself long ago. These aspects of the story along with Gabimaru and Sagiri's interactions are easily the better parts of the story, though they are minimized by the sheer amount of characters we have to slog through with every episode.
CONCLUSION:
This anime has potential, though it is a little formulaic in regards to the characters and development. It is a little overly cluttered with minor characters whom we have yet to see woven into the purpose of the story. Our two lead characters are fine with potential, and the ultimate success of this anime will depend on how we see it continue to develop their story and the more interesting aspects introduced through Gabimaru's background leading to his future. As for now, I am comfortable giving this anime a 7, Good, as it is good enough to keep me watching for the rest of the season, but the final rating will depend on how the show continues to develop which, from what I have seen, does raise a bit of concern. There is potential to have a good to great anime here, but that depends on that which has yet to be seen.