Well, I didn't think I'd ever give an anime 5/5 for everything, but I did. "Hakuouki" has pretty much become my all-time favourite out of the maybe 25 animes I watched so far.
But a review isn't meant to be a fan rant, so let me try to explain...
Seeing as this anime is a piece of fiction based on Japanese 19th century history, it might be problematic to understand some point or another. However, it is quite easy to get an idea of what’s going on, so there’s not much background required (before watching this, I personally didn’t really have an idea of Japanese history, but still could follow easily). As a person from Western culture, you might think “WTH?” at some point or another, but don’t let that bother you; it is another cultural background and time setting, and seems pretty realistic to me (except the supernatural point of course). The story is quite fast-paced and might seem choppy at times, but it moves steadily. Also, the first few episodes might seem a little slow, but there’s a lot more going on “behind the scenes” which only unravels with time. There are some twists and surprises to the plot, even if you know the historical background, which makes this series entertaining to watch. History and politics are mixed with action, mystery, suspense, a supernatural subplot, friendship, romance, and humour, which makes a powerful genre mixture with something for about everyone.
The end is actually a real one; it could have answered a little more, but in my opinion it draws a conclusion to the anime overall without leaving plot holes.
The anime is emotional (it actually drew some tears from me, which no anime before managed to do) but it never gets into whining and always still has some comforting tone behind it. Despite the misery of the times (war and constant fights; despair; illness; death; an era ending and the world the characters know crumbling to pieces, especially with the import of Western technologies, which the characters themselves cannot change) this anime still manages to have you continue to hope and fear for the characters, simply because they themselves don’t let up. The anime does have a sad or dark undertone, but it is in a quite complex and beautiful way interweaved with a light and comforting tone.
A note about the supernatural subplot (it’s getting quite difficult not to spoiler but I’ll do my best); I am usually not into history/fantasy mixtures since they usually get too messed up and end in changing historical facts, but that isn’t the case here seeing as the supernatural stuff is only a subplot and doesn’t affect the outer evolvement of events. Also, I might be crazy to be into controversial stuff, but I am, and the subplot contains a little of that, so it made this anime all the more worthwhile for me.
Most of the characters are some hot bishounen, but since everyone has an individual personality and style, it doesn’t get boring. I’ve heard and read a lot of complaints about the heroine being somehow typical; yes, she is, and she might annoy you if you’ve watched too many anime with similar heroines, but she is neither naïve nor stupid, so I personally am fine with her. Remember that in 19th century, women didn’t have a real chance in most societies; if you consider that, she appears pretty courageous - if I defined that further, I’d spoiler for real.
The dialogues are pretty good, 4.5/5; there are better ones, but they are still very well made and partly really funny, especially with the characters teasing each other. Also, the music adds to this anime in emotional moments as well as in battles, and the openings and endings are fitting as well. The music might get stuck in your ears... two days after having watched "Hakuouki" first, I found myself humming the second opening theme during breakfast. ^^ Sad thing (that doesn’t affect the actual anime but the uploads) is that some episodes I downloaded have a partly broken audio, such that after half or three quarters of an episode, it suddenly played on mute.
The animation is top notch, one of the two very best I’ve ever seen on here; the sword fights are realistic, not as exaggerated as often in other animes. Also, the colours are something to behold. Watch in HD; it’s definitely an experience. There are images of fights as well as of nature which are a true pleasure for the eye. The fights do, however, contain some blood, so it might not be appropriate for kids.
Personally, I am quite surprised this anime is not known better. In my opinion, it is certainly above the level of the “big” animes like Bleach and Naruto; it is a great historical work, and even if it is shoujo genre, there are plenty fights and blood for anybo(d)y who prefers that.
If history bores you to no end, you can kindly tell me to go to hell. But as long as it doesn’t, this anime makes a pretty good and recommendable watch for anyone who likes samurai / sword-fighting anime with a touch of supernaturalism, some emotionality and a real, decent plot behind it. (
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