- Story & Theme
I can't say I remembered much of the main story and it's easy to see why. The story is good, but it's revealed to us in fragments and chunks and to a degree it's actually more of something that happens in the background as the movie focuses on the main characters and their events. The theme is a solid mix of historical fiction and supernatural action and they're woven into each other seamlessly. There's some nudity and a few attempts at sexual violence, but it's not really a theme and doesn't get gratuitous. Huge fountains of gushing blood, however, is a theme and the closest we get to comic relief is the laughable amount of blood that, with an over-the-top sound, sprays out as a body part is chopped off.
- Characters & Writing
The main protagonist is well written and his actions feel motivated and reasonable. Most of the other characters feel the same and they are fairly unique and interesting, but there are a few weak links. The most obvious ones are the main antagonist, who doesn't get enough screen time or development, and the female protagonist, who feels like she doesn't have much of a character beyond 'cursed female ninja'. The script is over-all competent but not great.
- Setting & Worldbuilding
This movie paints an interesting world that is based on Edo-period Japan with a lot of strange humans and seemingly supernatural techniques. We never get an explanation for why or how some people are twisted into these monsters, but there is also never really a reason for us to know. It's just how the world is. I'd like to see more of it and it would make for an interesting setting in a tabletop RPG.
- Style & Presentation
If you've ever thought to yourself 'Gee, I wish there were more pronounced chins in anime' then this is the anime for you. What the style lacks in big eyes and small mouths it makes up for in chins. The style is good and the characters distinctive, but the animation makes it clear that this wasn't a high-budget movie. Plenty of times we are treated to people staring in silence and each time we get a still frame with no movement. Some cels are also blatantly looped and the animation lacks smoothness. There is blood and action in abundance, but most action scenes are fairly short and sweet. Nothing overstays its welcome and the movie keeps a brisk pace even though it has plenty of scenes of silent contemplation or rest.
- Conclusion
This movie is not a masterpiece, but it's much better than one might think. There are flaws for sure but I still stand by my rating of 8, albeit a weak one. With better written female characters, better animation and a more present antagonist this could have risen to a strong 9. Perhaps nostalgia is part of that, but I really do think that what the anime does well it does really well.
