[Anime Review] House of Five Leaves
Summary:
Rōnin
Akitsu Masasonuke is a skilled swordsman, but he has a very shy personality.
This leads to multiple dismissal from his job. After another removal from work
he meets Yaichi who asks him to become his bodyguard. Akitsu accepts the offer
and later on is offered to become a part of "Five Leaves"--the group
that Yaichi leads. Little does he know, the group performs illegal activities,
which involves kidnapping for ransom. Throughout the series, Akitsu meets the
members and learns why they joined such a group. He also feels as though there
group is made up of "chivalrous robbers".
Review:
The Art:
The animation was
different to say the least. It's not far from the traditional art, but I think
it's different enough that people may judge the anime. (Ahem, never judge a
book by its cover--in this case animation style?)However, I think that's an
added charm to the anime itself. I loved the fact that although it is
different, the characters we're still able to fully portray what they we're
thinking and/or feeling. Lastly, I was absolutely infatuated with the
background art. It was gorgeous.
The Music:
Song for Player: Sign of
Love - Immi
Since it was an anime
based during the Edo Period, I was expecting an intro similar to Samurai
Champloo. I really fell for the opening song for House of Five Leaves. In my
opinion, it's one of the best songs used for an anime. During the anime, they
didn't use any modern themed music (I think). Most of them were instrumental
and carried a calming aura--which I did like, as well. However, I wasn't fond
of the ending song.
The Characterization:
The House of Five Leaves
is made up of, well, five people: Akitsu Masanosuke, Yaichi, Matsukichi,
Umezou, and Otake. They all have a story tell as to how and why they joined
Yaichi. Throughout the anime, we see their stories and form a bond with
them--at least, I did.
Akitsu Masasonuke was definitely a lovable character. His reactions we're unforgettable, especially when he first moved into the brothel. He was a very innocent and quiet person, but at the same time he notices everything. He speaks before he thinks, but his honesty is what makes him unique in the whole group.
Yaichi-dono. Wow, a lot of problems. His character is the anti-hero of the anime. I didn't really find him amusing, but his story drove the whole anime to its conclusion. It was really nice to see his weakness in the finale, because it shows that he did need someone to lean on.
Matsukichi was just there in the beginning, but during his episode I felt like I could understand his character more. Although the anime is for a mature audience, I was hoping to see him with his family. Alas! It didn't come truee.
Umezou. I loved his character. His interactions with all the characters we're simply powerful. His overprotective nature over his daughter is lovable and it even transcends towards the group. He's not only the father figure for his daughter, but for the whole group as well.
Otake was breathtaking. I really liked the way she looked. She once worked in a brothel from where Yaichi paid for her freedom. I didn't really see a significance in her, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.
The Plot:
The plot centers around
Masasonuke and Yaichi--mostly Yaichi. It's based on Yaichi's past, the reason
as to why the members joined Five Leaves, and Masasonuke's insights. I wouldn't
call the plot linear, but to some degree it is. We are given new information in
the beginning of the story and throughout the episodes the characters are given
meat into who they are and how some of them are connected to one another. By
giving life to the characters, watchers begin to form a bond with them--at
least I did.
At first it was
slow-paced, but as we progress the story becomes much more. By no means am I a
big fan of slice-of-life and samurai animes, but this one took my heart. I
basically marathon-ed the whole anime, because it was really good--which I
didn't expect at first.
Final Judgment:
Definitely a shocking anime,
because it I didn't expect what I watched. It's one of those anime gems that
can be easily surpassed because of the art style and a slow-paced beginning. I
think that it is mainly targeted towards older teens and adults, more so, for
the mature minded. Although it is about crime, it doesn't carry much violence.
It has some light sexual innuendos, but they're are implied and not shown.
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