This review concerns season one of Hakkenden. The subtitle is "Eight Dogs of the East" and you bet that there's something to do with dogs. However, there's only one dog on the show. What's with this? Well, the dog is referring to the names of the characters. Selected characters have "inu" meaning dog in their surnames suggesting a connection between all of them. The supposed eight characters have met some of them at one point and share the same birthmark on their bodies. All of them have died once and live once again due to supernatural intervention. With a new life, these characters are also granted unique powers. The story mostly follows Shino, an 18 year old boy that hasn't aged for several years due a curse cast by owning Murasame, a demonic sword entity. He encounters supernatural disturbances and settles them by using the power of Murasame. Meanwhile they are under supervision of the Church, the Church is longing for the powers of Murasame and wish to obtain it. Shino is given an assignment to locate the eight bead holders.

Now what exactly is going on? While the viewer knows all of this from watching season one, the characters however are oblivious to this. The pacing of the series is fairly predictable. It's fairly simple and it doesn't build up a lot of suspense. The fight scenes aren't really fun to watch because it's adjust a lot of effects. The staff put a lot work on the visuals making sure the animation runs smoothly. The drawings are consistent and really nice. I hope that the second season will run smoothly and finish up the story. This series appeals a lot to a younger female audience due to a full bishounen cast and romantic notions between male characters. The appearance of mascot like creatures also fuel interests for the female demographics.


I did notice through setting and attire that Hakkenden is set in an earlier time period of Japan. Most sources direct to Meiji era or late Edo period because the anime is a reimagination of a famous novel called Hakkenden. The anime only loosely borrows from the novel. Please keep in mind that there is another anime by the name of The Hakkenden that was released in 1990-1995. (show less)