English Dub Review: Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, “The Advent of Joujin”

Hachirou’s ninja magic is so overpowered.

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Eighteen years ago, an ancient-looking man proposes to the ruler of Japan that in order to determine the next ruler of the Tokugawa shogunate, they hold a ninja contest between the Kouga and Iga ninja clans. This meeting, of course, predicates the events of the original Basilisk, which sets the context of the current tension between the Kouga and Iga today.

In the present day, Kouga successor Hachirou has just realized his meeting with Tadanaga Tokugawa was a trap and is trying to escape the young noble’s compound. Though he’s defeated Tokugawa’s initial forces, there are two more layers of traps lying in wait to defeat the powerful ninja master. The first is a team of archers, led by a man with exceptional hearing, who can know the location of a foe just by his footsteps. Without having to see Hachirou kill him, this would negate the power of his eye magic, which relies on sight to function. But just as the archers are about to put a swift end to Hachirou’s escape, Shichigen, who has been lying in wait, releases a swarm of bell crickets to disorient the archer squad. Then, Hachirou, quickly uses his eye magic to make them kill each other.

But Tokugawa isn’t finished yet, the last layer of defense is a team of riflemen led by an incredible sharpshooter of great renown. Just as the riflemen are about to open fire on Hachirou, the armored form of Shikibu brings his mighty iron-clad fists to blows upon them. Having a gentle heart, he gives them a chance to surrender, so as not to kill them, but they choose to take the more violent course of action. Shibiku throws the riflemen into Hachirou’s path, who once again uses his eye magic to make them kill each other and themselves. But the sharpshooter, the “Hawk”, as he’s called, is still out there, and apparently really likes to blow bubbles in his spare time. Off in the distance, with a scattering of bubbles in the air, Hawk hones in on his target and prepares to assassinate Hachirou. But, Hachirou then uses his eye magic on the reflection of the bubbles to make the “Hawk” kill himself instead. Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense to me either.

Their enemies defeated, the Kouga ninja boys are all united, but their reunion is short-lived. Hachirou has no intention of staying with his men and decides to head off on his own. Meanwhile, back at the village inn, Utsutsu and Rui have gone to scout out the mysterious castle that recently appeared. Out in the woods near the base of the castle, they see what appears to be a couple of innocuous farmers. Things turn grim, however, when one of the farmers kills a snake and eats it raw and wriggling, like a beast.

Meanwhile, Hachirou goes to a soba noodle shop in a nearby village, where who should he find but Hodaibou the monk, the man who told Hachirou to meet with Tokugawa in the first place. The conversation begins on a bitter note, but once Hodaibou reveals he is a ninja monk in the service of Tenkai, the man who instigated the Kouga-Iga conflict long ago, Hachirou leaves without saying goodbye. While Hachirou does his own thing, the other Kouga ninjas are arguing with each other about what to do, with Shichigen mad at Saizou for letting Hachirou go off on his own. Saizou insists that they let Hachirou be, claiming that he merely wants to protect his men by making sure that he’s the only one in danger.

Hodaibou finds Hachirou once again further on down the road and tries once again to get Hachirou’s help. He tries to shift focus to their common enemy, the Joujinshuu, who pose a threat to all of Japan. Hearing this, Hachirou has a flashback to his youth, when the now-dead Geiin tried to impart the sad truth of the ninja’s bloody world to the boy. Hachirou refused to take part in that, however, giving credence to Saizou’s claim that Hachirou cares about his men even in defiance of the nature of being a ninja. Back in the present, Hachirou has had enough of this conversation, and tries to use his eye magic to make Hodaibou kill himself, but finds his power ineffective. Hodaibou has no ill will towards Hachirou, and therefore the suicide magic doesn’t work.

Back to Rui and Utsutsu’s scouting mission; the two farmers are soon joined by more and more forces. It becomes clear that these men are not as innocent as they appear, and, upon spotting the two ninjas, start chasing after them. These men are known as “The Rain”, and are foot soldiers of the Joujinshuu. Rui and Utsutsu get separated, and Rui is soon cornered by the rain. She can hold her own, however, and using her magic starts cutting down soldiers left and right with a pair of deadly kunai.

While that fight gets underway, we get to see what’s become of Tokugawa back at his castle. He’s terrified to see Joujin appear from nowhere, kill his lieutenant, and sit in front of him, his black eyes staring into Tokugawa’s soul.

Our Take:

Things are finally picking up here, and its a long time coming for this show. Eight episodes in, and only now do I feel like we’re getting to the meat of what Basilisk: Ouka Ninja Scrolls can be. Though still somewhat bizarre and confusing, (I think we have to accept that just as a part what this show is going to be now) we are treated to some of the more real character interaction and development so far, supplemented with some alright action as well. The Kouga ninjas feel real and fleshed out, Hachirou’s character makes more sense now, and the Joujinshuu seem legitimately frightening as villains for the series. Not too shabby of an episode, in all fairness.