Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls

About Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls

Meet Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls (バジリスク ～桜花忍法帖～), an action, drama and fantasy anime by Seven Arcs Pictures (2018). Here is the premise in a nutshell. The premise: The clash for succession that continued for three generations of shogun in the Keichou era culminated in a gruesome fight of ninja arts between the Kouga and Iga clans. Amidst a rain of flower petals, a man and woman who had decided to live for love were separated once again, beautiful in their transience.

Beyond that: However, it is said that by the hand of Hattori Hanzo's adopted son, Kyouhachirou, these two flower petals, whether temporarily or permanently, were given life again and left two mementos behind. These children, born with a destiny of their own, were called Kouga Hachirou and Iga Hibiki. The former had eyes like his father's, and the latter had eyes like her mother's.

In an action series like this, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Nana Mizuki as Oboro Iga and Tasuku Hatanaka as Hachirou Kouga. It will appeal most to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. At 24 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Seven Arcs Pictures, which means the visual identity of Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls follows that studio's craft. The action focus matters here: fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Its 5.3/10 score suggests opinions are split, so it suits viewers who already like the genre. Voice casting, including Nana Mizuki as Oboro Iga, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 2018, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.