STORY: 4/10. This anime suffers from Loveless syndrome in that it has a few deep plot points of note but spectacularly manages to complete--and barely even scratch--none of them. For the first six or so episodes, the anime paces its introduction of its characters at a consistent rate, where even if the plot is inundated with historical references, you can still keep up with it. At this point, the romantic relationship between the two male protagonists takes a backseat, but they dangle a few scenes and hints here and there so you don't forget it's there.
Then, after a certain incident, the anime does a complete 180 and introduces a bunch of characters in a short amount of time. Instead of maintaining its steady course towards the various powerplays between warring clans of the Feudal Underworld, it puts the rest of the eggs in a basket of what I can only describe to be a side-quest in an already ongoing mission in any generic JRPG ever. It takes something that was barely relevant to begin with and spins it into this whole mini-arc and at the same time abandons any hope of resolving any of its previous plot points.
Then, at the very end of the anime, it remembers that, oh yeah, there was a relationship between the two characters, wasn't there, and gives us this half-baked ending that honestly makes me want to wash my mouth out. So. The premise was really interesting, a nice spin on the whole demon/spirit possessing theme, but its execution couldn't be described as anything but a failure. If you go in expecting any resolution to anything, you'll be sorely disappointed.
ART: 6/10. I've seen some complain about the art, but I happen to like its style. Furthermore, it's consistent and doesn't lag or drag. I would say that reasonably so, that certain incident has possibly the best animated scene in the entire 13 episodes. I feel tempted to lower the rating because of its occasionally stale frames, but I'll give it a pass because of its age. Most of the characters (that matter) are pleasing to the eye.
MUSIC: 7/10. This is one of those series where the music is all or nothing. If it's a lighthearted moment (rare), you might have a simple tone, but it's usually pretty quiet. This is excellent in terms of mood-setting, although the soundtrack occasionally conflicts with the scenes, and sometimes stands out more. If I had to nitpick about anything, it'd be the OP and ED, but it's really just because they're not my cuppa.
CHARACTERS: 5/10. Nothing to write home to grandma about. A few highlights:
Takaya - I'd love to say that he developed a whole lot in these 13 episodes. He kinda didn't, but he sorta did. He remains the hot-blooded, recklessly impulsive teenager he was in the beginning, but he starts to become a little more receptive to the situation he was thrust in. He goes through a few changes and introduces a few philosophical conundrums that really makes me feel for him, but in the end, because of the abrupt stance the anime took, I can't tell how much of that is really growth and how much of that is Kagetora's personality blending with his. On a high note, his behavior towards Naoe, which was originally haughtier in nature, softened as their relationship deepened and reached its climax. Watching him made me cringe at times and sigh at others.
Chiaki - Because of his initially grey stance, I had really liked him. Unfortunately, this aloofness didn't last long, and it became increasingly clear where he stood. A shame, he would have made for a really nice wildcard.
Kousaka – He’s a bit more of what Chiaki wanted to be in that he does what he considers best for his clan rather for any particular situation. Kousaka does as he pleases and has no problem betraying others—sometimes even those he temporarily allied with—to do it. If it weren’t for the staunch tones this anime has, he might have been a more likeable character to watch. Unfortunately, he mainly serves as a mini-deus-ex-machina after the first part, only serving to provide key information.
Naoe – It’s been hinted throughout the anime that several scenes mirror events in the past. And unlike the Naoe of the past, this Naoe’s actions were informed by Takaya, who deeply influenced him. As a male lead, despite having so many scenes surrounding him, his role feels weak. He purposefully distances himself from Takaya, likely due to their past, opting to watch him from afar and see how things roll out. But even when they continue to stay with each other, their interactions feel stilted somehow. Only during that certain incident can the audience finally FEEL the weight of his burden, but of course, the anime takes a 180 after that, drawing a decision that needed to be made into a stalemate. There’s a few scenes of their past which serves to explain Noae’s sins, yet shamefully, the relationship between Naoe and Kagetora is spoken about by the other characters instead of shown to us, the audience.
Yuzuru – He’s the Joker, the Trump Card, the unyielding solution that Takaya couldn’t afford to be and Kagetora almost wasn’t. Even though Takaya is the main character, Yuzuru is the one drama spirals around. Yet despite his constantly reputable strength, he’s often a damsel in distress who needs to be saved by the main cast. This pattern holds up to the very end, calling into question how he could even be a trump card at all. Other than that, he’s the soft-spoken Yukito to the stern Touya, offering consolation and occasional insight but not much else. His potential is discussed throughout the series but is never brought into fruition.
Kagetora – The dark-horse struggle that Takaya fights with. He’s not really a steady character throughout the series, but he’s the lingering presence in the series that never goes away. His personality is in stark contrast with Takaya’s—where Takaya is abrasive, Kagetora is still. Where Takaya lashes out, Kagetora holds back. He’s serious and determined, carrying himself like the military general he is and manipulating any situation to his advantage. Unfortunately, he only shines in the last three episodes of the anime, and only serves to complicates matters between Takaya, Naoe, and himself. And because of the anime’s execution, we really can’t gleam much about him either.
…then there’s the riffraff who only serve to fulfill a role. Like Morino, Haruie, and even more shamefully, Ranmaru. Currently, he’s the anime’s antagonist, but I can’t bring myself to care much about him, especially knowing that he’s only a very evasive steppingstone at best.
OVERALL: 5/10. It would be insulting to rate it a 4, but with its incomplete execution, I don't dare give it anything higher than a 5. This is also taking into account the reason why I even remembered/was drawn to MoB in the first place: its music. I figured that if there wasn't even a single upbeat soundtrack out of what, eighteen to twenty tracks, it had to be at least worth one watch. Unfortunately, the music was its only redeeming quality. Perhaps if the series had been longer, it may have received a higher rating.
