Genres: action, drama, fantasy, romance, supernatural
Themes: historical, ninja, tragedy
Objectionable content: Intense (graphic depictions of sex, drug use, or bloodshed)
Summary:
The year is 1614 AD. Two warring ninja clans, each supporting a son of Hidetada Tokugawa as the next shogun, send ten representatives each to fight to the death for the possession of a scroll. The prize: the annihilation of the other and the staunch support of the Tokugawa government for the winning clan for the next thousand years.
Differences between Manga and Anime:
Although the anime follows the original manga almost exactly in storyline, there are a few slight differences. The most notable being flashbacks (such as the one in episode 1 as to how Ogen and Danjou's love came to an end) as well as additional scenes which occur only in the anime; both of which serve to expand on the characters and the backstory. One of the more prominent scenes added to the anime was an epilogue for the final episode which was intended to add a sense of closure whereas the manga ends immediately after Gennosuke and Oboro's duel.
Other differences include fight scenes happening in a different order (i.e. in the manga, Oboro uncovers Jingoro's attempt to assassinate Gennosuke before stopping Akeginu and Jousuke's duel whereas in the anime the situation is reversed), and exposed breasts being obscured in the anime by some form of covering whereas the manga tends to be less censored. Although, toward the end of the anime, bare breasts can be seen on a number of occasions.
24 Episodes:
# | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
1 | "Destiny" "Sōshi Sōsatsu" (相思相殺) | April 12, 2005 | January 10, 2008 |
2 | "Last Rendezvous" "Taidō Niba" (胎動弐場) | April 19, 2005 | January 17, 2008 |
3 | "The Onslaught of War" "Kyōchū Muzan" (凶蟲無惨) | April 26, 2005 | January 24, 2008 |
4 | "The Horned Owl" "Yōkaku Yakō" (妖郭夜行) | May 3, 2005 | January 31, 2008 |
5 | "The Surprise Attack" "Ninja Rokugi" (忍者六儀) | May 10, 2005 | February 7, 2008 |
6 | "Longing in the Rain" "Kōrui Renbo" (降涙恋慕) | May 17, 2005 | February 14, 2008 |
7 | "The Bloodsucking Seductress" "Hitohada Jigoku" (人肌地獄) | May 24, 2005 | February 21, 2008 |
8 | "Cage of Blood" "Chikemuri Mujō" (血煙無情) | May 31, 2005 | February 28, 2008 |
9 | "Farewell" "Aizetsu Rinu" (哀絶霖雨) | June 7, 2005 | March 6, 2008 |
10 | "Divine Mandate" "Shinso Gojō" (神祖御諚) | June 14, 2005 | March 13, 2008 |
11 | "On Their Own" "Sekireki Mukoku" (石礫無告) | June 21, 2005 | March 20, 2008 |
12 | "Remembrance" "Tsuisō Gentō" (追想幻燈) | June 28, 2005 | March 27, 2008 |
13 | "A Swarm of Butterflies" "Kochō Ranbu" (胡蝶乱舞) | July 5, 2005 | April 3, 2008 |
14 | "Fallen Flower" "Sange Kaikyō" (散花海峡) | July 12, 2005 | April 10, 2008 |
15 | "Reckoning" "Hatō Gokumon" (波涛獄門) | July 19, 2005 | April 17, 2008 |
16 | "First Impressions" "Kaihō Tanga" (懐抱淡画) | July 26, 2005 | April 24, 2008 |
17 | "Wandering Hearts" "Konmei Rubō" (昏冥流亡) | August 2, 2005 | May 1, 2008 |
18 | "A Dawn Without Light" "Mumyō Futsugyō" (無明払暁) | August 9, 2005 | May 8, 2008 |
19 | "Conspiracy" "Mōjo Kanbō" (猛女姦謀) | August 16, 2005 | May 15, 2008 |
20 | "River of Mercy" "Jinji Ryūryū" (仁慈流々) | August 23, 2005 | May 22, 2008 |
21 | "With All Her Heart" "Misatsu Kagerō" (魅殺陽炎) | August 30, 2005 | June 5, 2008 |
22 | "The Haunted" "Kikoku Shūshū" (鬼哭啾々) | September 6, 2005 | June 12, 2008 |
23 | "Emancipation" "Mugen Hōyō" (夢幻泡影) | September 13, 2005 | June 19, 2008 |
24 | "Requiem" "Raise Kaikō" (来世邂逅) | September 20, 2005 | June 26, 2008 |
