Shin Hakkenden English Sub & Dub

About Shin Hakkenden

Shin Hakkenden (神八剣伝) blends action, adventure and sci-fi by Public & Basic (1999). Below is a fresh retelling of what the story is about. In short: Based on the long cherished, classic Japanese novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden by Bakin Kyokutei Takizawa (1767), a modified version of it was made into animation. Taking place in the future, during this time wars were occuring in heaven, mostly for possession between the eight moons created by the savior Fuse that surrounded God's land.

Along the way, when the war ended, there was only one ruling family - that of the Oowaris, and the remaining son gained control of all the moons of heaven, except for one. Meiten, the moon of the pope, where people refrained from war and were therefore out of it's terms. Eight people. Each from one of the eight moons.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Masami Suzuki as Kou Yagami and Tomohiro Nishimura as Gyou Enjou. It will appeal most to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. At 26 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Public & Basic, which means the visual identity of Shin Hakkenden follows that studio's craft. The action focus matters here: fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. With a 6.8/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. Voice casting, including Masami Suzuki as Kou Yagami, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. It aired in 1999, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.