House of Five Leaves

About House of Five Leaves

If you are hunting for a new drama series, House of Five Leaves (さらい屋 五葉) deserves a look (2010). The setup goes like this. At its core: Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has more than once caused him to be let go by the lords who employ him. Hungry and desperate, he agrees to become a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a group calling itself “Five Leaves.” Although disturbed by the gang’s sinister activities.

Next up: Despite his misgivings, the deeper he’s drawn into the realm of the Five Leaves, the more he stumbles on himself fascinated by these devious, unexplained outlaws.

With drama at the core, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. Voice work is led by Takahiro Sakurai as Yaichi and Daisuke Namikawa as Masanosuke Akitsu. It will appeal most to viewers who prefer story and feelings over flashy action. The run is 12 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Manglobe and Doga Kobo is the studio behind House of Five Leaves, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Because it leans on drama, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. At 7.5/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. Voice casting, including Takahiro Sakurai as Yaichi, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. It aired in 2010, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.