English Dub Review: Nippon Sangoku “An Oath For Peace”
Overview:
In Nippon Sangoku, which recently dropped on Amazon Prime Video, Japan has been hit with the effects of a nuclear war, with people reduced to what life was like in the Meiji era. The country has since been divided into three kingdoms: Yamato, Takeo, and Seii. It is up to one man, Aoteru Misumi, to reunify Japan.
Our Take:
Things open up with a number of viral images, helping to lull the viewer into a false sense of familiarity before transitioning into Japan’s war-torn landscape. In other words, it reminds the viewer that the horrors of war are always at risk at becoming reality.
Once the main story starts up, the anime becomes an exercise in subverting expectations. Things appear simple to make the real horrors lurking around the corner all the more shocking. The anime starts simply enough, with Aoteru marrying Saki, the love of his life, complete with an argument over her wedding dress.
The two retire to a quiet life together as Aoteru works as an agricultural officer. Things take a turn when they are visited by Denki Taira, the lord of home affairs and true ruler of Yamato. When he comedically slips on some potatoes, he makes a cheeky face and orders the worker responsible to be dismembered. The scene is soon carried out in case any viewer worried that he was just joking.
Saki begins to act like a typical plucky anime heroine, trying to stick up for the downtrodden people of Yamato. Unfortunately, as fans who have seen most of the advertising focusing on Aoteru have likely figured out, she isn’t going to survive the story.
Before the story is done, Aoteru is able to get a slight slice of revenge, pinning the blame for what happened on a tax collector. It’s too late to save Saki, but at least she’ll have some company among the dead. Of course, this is likely the start of what’s to come, as Aoteru finally gives in to his emotions when he’s finally left alone.
The art style evokes traditional Japanese art and most things are in various shades of white. The anime makes good use of this minimalist style, as it makes splashes of other colors all the more shocking. This comes from green plants, red blood, and even a striking pair of blue eyes.
Overall, this is an interesting introduction to the overall story. However, viewers can feel things are just getting started. After all, Aoteru makes sure to quote Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, meaning he’s already got some plan starting up.
