Movies / Animé and Toons

Basilisk the Complete Series

By Chris Zimmerman
July 16, 2010 - 10:26

The idea of a forbidden romance can hardly be considered original given how often it is employed, that is until one thinks to include ninjas in the fold. Originating as a novel written in the late fifties by Futaro Yamada, before later being adapted into a manga series, Basilisk gained itself more exposure when it found itself animated by Studio Gonzo. Considering the series was produced during a period in which Gonzo was at the height of their acclaim, it’s no surprise that Basilisk features visually arresting animation and an engaging story reminiscent of the studio’s glory days.

Jumping into Japan’s past, Basilisk takes place in 1614 during Tokugawa Ieyasu’s reign. Having decided to retire from power, he is left with the undesirable choice of choosing which of his two grandsons will succeed the throne. In an effort to prevent a possible war from within the family, he determines that the two will be represented by two clans of bitter enemies as they square off in combat.

The Kouga and the Iga are a pair of ninja clans, having battled for centuries as a way to prove whose techniques are superior. In order to avert the destruction of the two clans, the legendary ninja Hattori Hanzo stepped in and ordered a truce between them. In that time, the heirs of the two clans Gennosuke of Kouga and Oboro of Iga developed a romance, hopping that their wedding would bring the hatred that has continued to cultivate among their families to an end. Unfortunately, with the dissolution of the peace treaty, both clans resume their war with the two tragic lovers forced to lead their groups to victory.

The characters of Basilisk are defined by their powers rather than their actions with the exceptions of a few. Many of them stick around for only a handful of episodes before meeting their untimely demise at the hands of their opponents. There isn’t much time to develop each one, but considering the amount of depth the series manages to instill in each character, it’s surprising how attached one can become before they are done away with.

The animation is splendid, with vibrant backgrounds contrasting with the dark characters and rivers of crimson blood soaking the screen. Characters move in a fluid manner and the action sequences are brilliantly choreographed. If the visuals weren’t constantly drenched in blood, one would be hard pressed to deny their beauty.

Funimation turns out the superior dub quality with a cast that matches their characters almost perfectly. Troy Baker provides a perfectly suitable voice for the role of Gennosuke, with every syllable carrying a hint of quiet menace. Laura Bailey also turns in her usual top notch performance, giving Oboro an innocent quality that makes her heartbreak all the more devastating. However, the breakout star is Mark Stoddard, whose portrayal as Tenzen fits perfectly with the villain, using his distinct voice to convey his calm and calculating nature while still including a hint of madness as he manipulates the conflict to better fit his own desires.

For all its blood and tragedy, Basilisk is still a wonderful series to behold. Despite the indelible feeling that Gennosuke’s and Oboro’s love is destined to end in the same vein as Romeo and Juliet, one can’t help but watch in the hopes that they overcome the odds in the name of love. Given its artistry and propensity for violence, Basilisk is able to appeal to two sides of the extreme, and while its plot hangs closer to being simple minded, it is no less suspenseful. For fans of bloody action and tragic romances, Basilisk delivers on all fronts.

B+

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12