The character work in this story was for the most part well done which is always good to see in a shonen series. The characters are relatively likable, and you want to root for them throughout the story. Even a couple of the antagonists have a level of charisma that makes them likable as well. The depiction of trauma that many of these characters endure is also presented well. The characters labor over complicated feelings of loneliness, belonging, and purpose, which leads to them feeling like more complex characters. This only gets thoroughly explored in the main cast, but it's still a welcome development. However, there is a flatness that you feel from many of the characters that aren't Musashi and Kojiro. It's an unfortunate disappointment that contributes to the overall story in a negative way.
The art is also wonderful throughout the story. From the unique style of the swords characters use to the way their powers are depicted, also the way Shinobu Ohtaka depicts light and the brilliance of their powers is very detailed and pleasing to look at.
The story tends to be the weak point of this series for me. It's a simplistic premise, which isn't bad at all. A world of demons and the bands of bushi work tirelessly to slay them and free their people. The mystery behind how their world came to be is interesting along with the powers used to combat the Black Demon God. However, the power ups that happen for the protagonists feel, at times, unearned. Additionally, the explanations surrounding the history of Hi no Kuni and its leaders didn't feel very impactful for the overall story. It's a strange dynamic that there are many good storytelling elements of this series, but none of the payoffs, reveals, and twists in the story felt truly impactful. Possibly because the proper buildup to those moments wasn't given.
Overall, it was a solid ambitious series that I think did a lot of things well, but not great. Hoping for another Ohtaka masterpiece in the future!
