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Samurai Deeper Kyo - Demon Awakens (Episodes 1-5)

Samurai Deeper Kyo - Demon Awakens (Episodes 1-5)

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Terrific, 5 stars!
Review: I really love this anime. These first 5 episodes were magnificent.

Basically a killer called Kyo has too find his body while he inhabits some boy's. The series is extremely well done, but it has a flaw.

The animation may be the only problem. Now, the first episode feels more like a pilot episode. The animation isn't that great but you get to see some awesome scenes and such. But the animation is little. The next 4 episodes on this DVD have a bit more animation. It seems to increase as they go. You will probably notice the first few fights having basically a guy cutting someone. You see him, then the screen flashes with a sword slash, then you see him in a different pose and the enemy is gone. This changes a little and by the end of the 5 episodes, you will probably be ready to buy the next DVD.

I haven't read the manga, but this series really is great. The plot is wonderful. There are new things happening a lot and by the end of episode 3 it hits you... this plot was really well done. DBZ ran out of ideas but had good animation throughout. This series relys more on beautiful pictures and effects. Namely, the blue shine of a sword, the wind, the night sky, the rain, and namely everything makes the pictures more vivid. Now don't get me wrong, this series does have animation. There is not as much as DBZ, but there is much more than fist of the north star and it is beautful.

Well one more flaw.... the ending song doesn't really feel like it belongs. It is kind of a pop song that comes out of nowhere. Not a good choice, but you can skip it.

Cool characters, nice plot, and wonderful drawings. Brilliant.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not Kenshin But Not Bad
Review: I've seen Kenshin, loved it, and was eager to see another 'samurai' anime so I checked out Samurai Deeper Kyo (SDK). Despite a somewhat confusing opening - lots of place names and people plus told in flashback then fast forwarded 4 years - once the story got going and I got things sorted out I rather liked it. Initially I had been disappointed because from what I gathered of the story Kyoshiro is supposed to be the hero of our tale who is somehow afflicted with carrying the personality of his rival, an evil samurai (and possible demon) called Demon Eyes Kyo.

Unfortunately Kyoshiro seemed pretty bland and boring, and a lecher to boot. I had my doubts that this guy could be interesting and sympathetic enough to carry a series. But the spunky bounty-hunter Yuya and some intriguing glimpses of Yukimura Sanada helped keep me interested until the third episode, when things really start heating up. For one the milquetoast Kyoshiro's personality is completely subsumed by Kyo - who appears to be one legitmate, bad-a** dude. And not in the way Kenshin becomes the Battosoui when necessary, but reverts to his peace-loving self. If Kyo has any regrets it's likely that hasn't completely wiped out all his enemies yet. So far so good. There are also hints that the current situation has it's roots in a complex web of past alliances, battles and relantionships. Kyo is nasty all right, but there are hints that he might be that way for a reason, which sounds interesting. Also, who the heck is Yukimura and what's his deal? I don't know if he's helping Kyo or what, but I can believe he's got his own interests firmly at the forefront.

Besides meeting the main characters, Kyo, Yuya, Yukimura and Benitora, we also get a sense there are a lot of bad guys, some kenyou (monsters), rogue ninja groups, heirs in disguise, political intrigues, and some interfering women who also appear to be running the show behind the scenes. Oh, and there's some humor as well. Yukimura commands a group of ninjas (?) including a super-serious guy who works what could best be described as magic. Yukimura seems to enjoy yanking his chain once in a while which is rather humerous.

So overall the characters and the story show some definate promise. The animation is pretty decent, although there are a couple of shots of Kyoshiro where his arms have a really weird perspective which looks awful. There also seem to be a few too many stills and the battles themselves aren't too thrilling. No exciting action ala Kenshin since it's more implied than shown. Although who can resist an evil grin and the line: "You heard it too, didn't you? The voice of the wind."

I'm looking forward to the rest of this release, hopefully it will live up to it's promise. There's also an outakes extra (english dub) on this disc. Normally they ..., but this one actually had a couple of funny moments. And if there continue to be 5 episodes per disc that will be great. So if you like swords, Japanese history and demons and magic this might be the next anime for you.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a pleasing but typical example historical fantasy anime
Review: If your new to this genre or a fan of the rurouni kenshin series you will love it. The setting is based in medieval japan during the 1500's. The main charcters have a coloful modern style. The story has the nice mix of serious action with a dose of humor and mystery. However I did find some stereotypical things in it. Also the story at first is bit muddy especially in the dubbed english version, but after the first few episodes things do get better. I will not say this is a great anime because I have seen better in this same genre. Overall its a good start for a new series. I certainly do not regret watching it or adding it to my collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Samurai Deeper Kyo
Review: It is 1604, four years after the Battle of Sekigahara, perhaps Japan's greatest civil war. The people try to recover from its aftermath and enjoy the newly attained peace. Amid such times Yuya Shiina, a roughneck girl who earns money by capturing outlaws, mistakes a roaming and peace-loving medicine seller Mibu Kyoshiro for the legendary wanted man "Onime-no-Kyo." But she soon realizes that she is wrong when she sees that Kyoshiro is just a weakling. Nevertheless, she ends up capturing Kyoshiro anyway - he is wanted for running off without paying for a meal. As they travel together Kyoshiro tries to help Yuya catch another wanted criminal. In the process Kyoshiro is cornered. Then he mumbles, "Here he comes," and the color of his eyes turn a deep red. He pulls out his sword which he had never touched before and suddenly, Onime-no-Kyo, the legendary assassin said to have killed one thousand men with this sword, is standing there. Kyoshiro and Kyo: Two spirits in one body. Yuya is looking for a "man with a wound on his back" who killed her older brother. The two head to Edo together. One after another, samurai come after Onime-no-Kyo. Why do Kyoshiro and Kyo share the same body? Historical figures, such as Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, emerge in the story and the mystery of the two souls is gradually resolved.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome Action/Sword Scenes
Review: Looks like the beginning of a great series. I am hooked already. Will definately buy remainding dvd's. Good plot and very exciting to watch. Pretty funny in it's own way too. I've already become attached to the characters. The dubbing is pretty good and I've only seen some of the subtitles but from those, they are pretty good too. The beginning/ending songs are cool too. Don't have a bad thing to say about samurai deeper kyo. Can't wait to get rest of the dvd's!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Whoa...
Review: Ok, so at first I was like... what a huge box! I couldn't get over it... it seemed really over the top. Then I realized how awesome it is! Only it's potentially more flammable...
but that aside, the DVD in itself is really interesting. In spite of the fan service from Yuya-san (which will be good for guys, I'm sure), I really enjoyed the story and the interesting characters you meet along the way (giant tentacle-type man, anyone?) and how Kyoshiro and Onime no Kyo could be the same person. The DVD also does a good job of explaining the history behind Sekigahara and such, so people who know nothing, or little about Japanese history can understand and learn from the show.
As for the plot itself, it's Kenshin reminiscent, but it's also quite different. The action isn't bad and it isn't hard to follow.
Plus you get cool stickers^_^

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SDK Best Thing to Happen to Anime in a Long Time
Review: Samurai Deeper Kyo is an amazingly thought out series with well-developed characters and an extremely vivid backround to go along with it's heart-racingly good storyline.
The characters, might I say, are so life-like in there stuggles that it almost feels as if they might be based on real people. Each one carries an essential element to any good story: power, beauty, determination, youth, humor, and honor.
I, personally, was not able to predict a moment of the story (which is impressive since many movies and animes are like this). With a story that changes more often than your underwear, Samurai Deeper Kyo makes Rurouni Kenshin look like a pile of puke (no offense intended to those of you who actually found that series interesting).
This is a definate see for any fan of anime...Its right up there with Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If I could give it 10 starts I would !
Review: This anime has moved to the top three in my list of favorite animes. I love Berserk, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Big O, Armitage (all of them), Escaflowne, Rocord Of Lodoss, & many more. Demon Eyes Kyo is now tied at second place with Cowboy Bebop.
I absolutely loved each of the main characters. They had great humor and complete loyalty to one another.
I purchased the complete collection because of some happy reviews that I read. I had no idea what to expect and I fell in love with the series ten minutes into the first episode. It felt, somewhat, like watching the FOX TV series '24' in the fact that you just couldn't get enough and had to keep watching to see what was going to happen next.
To me, it was completely worth every dollar spent. I wear my new 'Samuri Deeper Kyo' t-shirt with extreme pride!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awsome!
Review: This anime has moved to the top three in my list of favorite animes. I love Berserk, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Big O, Armitage (all of them), Escaflowne, Rocord Of Lodoss, & many more. Demon Eyes Kyo is now tied at second place with Cowboy Bebop.
I absolutely loved each of the main characters. They had great humor and complete loyalty to one another.
I purchased the complete collection because of some happy reviews that I read. I had no idea what to expect and I fell in love with the series ten minutes into the first episode. It felt, somewhat, like watching the FOX TV series '24' in the fact that you just couldn't get enough and had to keep watching to see what was going to happen next.
To me, it was completely worth every dollar spent. I wear my new 'Samuri Deeper Kyo' t-shirt with extreme pride!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Slayer of a Thousand
Review: This is a surprising twist on the Samurai legends of arising in the battles that marked the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the carnage of the critical battle of Sekigahara a feared Samurai - Demon Eyes Kyo - comes face to face with another powerful swordsman - Kyoshiro Mibu. Just as Kyoshiro took the upper hand for the last time, they are struck by a meteor. All that is left is some dust and Kyo's sword - Murimasa.

The scene shifts to years later, and we find Kyoshiro in the part of a feeble minded intinerant apothecary, seeming the innocent victim of his own misadventures. Then the intervention of Yukimora Saneda triggers a terrifying change, and Demon Eyes Kyo's spirit regains consciousness - in the body of Kyoshiro. Suddenly we are catapulted into a drama of clan warfare, demonic ninjas and balletic (and ballistic) swordmanship.

What makes this story even more unusual is that it quickly becomes apparent that appearances and reality shift without warning. At first Kyo seems evil, but then we get glimpses of something deeper. Is this the influence of the unconscious Kyoshiro? Or is the relationship between the two of them something else entirely.

And what exactly are Saneda's motivations? Ostensibly he in the service of Kyoshiro's wife and clan, but why does he insist on waking Kyo. Throw in a beautiful bounty hunter and the heir to the Tokugawa empire and a genuinely complex and interesting story develops.

As is often the case when Japanese anime decides to experiment with a normally predictable genre, music, art, and script are excellent. Acting in the dubbed version is only average, but it stays fairly close to the subtitles and is listenable. I found this first DVD both intriguing and enjoyable with hints of potential greatness. Worth following.


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