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Legend of the Dog Warriors - Hakkenden

Legend of the Dog Warriors - Hakkenden

List Price: $54.98
Your Price: $49.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An anime that will blow YOU AWAY!
Review: Even though i have not seen this on dvd in dvd quality i have seen the tapes and I think it is one of the most AMAZING anime there is which is why i strongly suggest purchising this in a box set even!This anime has it all!It contains plenty of action,comedy,and even a little romance.This particular anime series is one that will make you want to watch it over and over again!Hakkenden is just flat out FUN!!!!!! Remember once you buy it don't watch it too many times or youll get hakkenden fever and need more and MORE!!!It is about a clan who asks for help form another clan,when the other finds out that they are weak they decide to attack!Well thats my review thanks for reading you anime lovers(like myself)...

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: What a disappointment....
Review: Even with such a great story, this animation series is barely adequate to tell the story. The story is presented in a very confused way and in some places inconsistent.

The animation in the first 4 or 5 episodes, while interesting, appeared to be very inconsistent from scene to scene, as if done by three different animation teams. In the middle, the animation becomes more consistent within each episode yet the style changes completely, twice. These changes were not for the better. In episodes 8-10, the animation was very ugly.

Even character personalities seemed to change throughout the series. There were so many characters, especially with the changes and inconsistencies with the animation, that sometimes it was be hard to keep track of each character. The plot timeline at times had inconsistencies, but I supposed that it went with the mystical nature of the story; yet, the confused telling of the story developed this aspect poorly.

The animation and story telling in the last 3 episodes (11-13) was best of the entire series.

I probably should have given more stars to this review. While the animation was not great, the story even if poorly presented held my attention through out the series. However, I didn't want potential buyers to feel as though they weren't warned about the failings of the series.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: What a disappointment....
Review: Hakkenden is based on a 19th century Japanese novel, from back in the days when a "complex story" was par for the day. And Hakkenden the anime certainly doesn't disappoint; the story is excellent, though sometimes hard to follow without a proper perspective of Japanese culture. This thing is chock full of cultural symbology, like the ever-present pinwheels to represent the force of change. The anime itself is at times stunning and beautiful, with an excellent score. However, it also seems that at times the budget was in question -- there are places where the quality drops to non-existent (people take the form of indistinct blobs), only to return to top-notch 15 minutes later. This sort of inconsistency is the only reason for lacking a 5-star rating, though.

This is likely the sort of series you'll find yourself rewatching, just to better understand the subtleties and analysis. I highly recommend looking up an analysis page once the main characters have all made their appearance. To do so earlier would be of little use, and may give away parts of the story.

Not recommended for children. The plot will probably be way over a child's head, and there's also considerable violence and some adult themes -- "hakkenden" translates to "dog warrior(s)", as they are supposedly the offspring of a dog and a woman, a detail that is made pretty explicit in the anime.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: excellent story, unsteady production quality
Review: Hakkenden is based on a 19th century Japanese novel, from back in the days when a "complex story" was par for the day. And Hakkenden the anime certainly doesn't disappoint; the story is excellent, though sometimes hard to follow without a proper perspective of Japanese culture. This thing is chock full of cultural symbology, like the ever-present pinwheels to represent the force of change. The anime itself is at times stunning and beautiful, with an excellent score. However, it also seems that at times the budget was in question -- there are places where the quality drops to non-existent (people take the form of indistinct blobs), only to return to top-notch 15 minutes later. This sort of inconsistency is the only reason for lacking a 5-star rating, though.

This is likely the sort of series you'll find yourself rewatching, just to better understand the subtleties and analysis. I highly recommend looking up an analysis page once the main characters have all made their appearance. To do so earlier would be of little use, and may give away parts of the story.

Not recommended for children. The plot will probably be way over a child's head, and there's also considerable violence and some adult themes -- "hakkenden" translates to "dog warrior(s)", as they are supposedly the offspring of a dog and a woman, a detail that is made pretty explicit in the anime.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: way lot a action here ^_^
Review: I couldn't believe how good this was. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time with the great action sequences >:D rrrrreeeeeaaaaalllllyyyy worth seeing. It's about 8 dog warriors (you will find out why they're called dag warriors when you watch it) that all were given birth to by different mothers and each one has this little bead/charm that helps them find each other, but the it's not just them going around trying find each other (like some other anime >:P), they don't even know they're one of the warriors or anything. Well, it's a great plot and you don't know what's going to happen next. I'll just put it like that, ok. I love the animation! If you're a little queezy or anything like that there is a whole lot of blood, which to me makes the anime better. Not like the cartoons here. Those are so retarded I can't even stand them. Get this or else something really horrible is going to happen to you, like a curse....i'm just kidding, don't take it seriously like you were going to ^.^

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Incredible!
Review: I find most of the above reviews utterly ridiculous! The animation isn't that good? the episodes aren't that well put toegether??? whaaaaaat??? This series is based upon Japanese folklore with buddhist/shinto hints...Now the animation here is SUPERB! it changes many times in look and color for a reason! I find it AMAZING! it is a true piece of art! The story and animation are truly a one of a kind find!
Now the story has been told many times before .In the eighties one incarnation was the Amazing film "The Legend of the Eight Samurai" starring Sonny Chiba which is a good kung fu saga...but I prefer this new re telling! This story is full of gore and guts and ultra violence, so be warned due to this content. If you know a bit about shinto beliefs or Japanese folklore etc then you might have a better understanding of the story here, if not then open your mind and try to watch it thinking only what the director gives you. It seems weird to Western audiences at times because Japanese culture is a "culture shock"... The animation is amazing, true art....if you are a fan of samurai stories or Japanese Anime with a good story give this a shot!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing animation
Review: I must say when I bought the first part of the series on VHS I was blown away and couldn't wait to see more....after several months of buying the parts on VHS I was more then satisfied with what I had done. This story is extremely well written you couldn't ask for a better Samurai story, the animation is breathtaking, fantastic special effects(you know the animated ones) compiled with the right amount of violence and swordplay and dead monsters.
But I must say anyone who buys the box set is getting it easy. you don't need to wait as long as I did. Buy this.....you won't be disappointed, trust me.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Very Dissapointing
Review: I read the back cover and got ready for some real entertainment. While I like some of the mech warrior type anime, I really just love history/fantasy based, anime of ancient Japan.

I thought the story was a little hard to follow at first because they kept throwing in new people in every episode. Then about the time when I could watch the movie without having to think who was who and how they realated to everyone else they went and messed with the animation. There was 2 or 3 episodes in the middle of the series where the animation was quite horrifying and someone nausiating to watch. Everyone had horses teeth and their faces looked like a wax doll stuck in the fire. At that point the series went back to confusing (since it was hard to tell the people apart since the animation style changed so drastically).

All in all, if you are going mostly for story and don't care about animation style, then give this one a try....but my biggest suggestion on this one is rent it or borrow a copy before you decide to buy!!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Very Dissapointing
Review: I read the back cover and got ready for some real entertainment. While I like some of the mech warrior type anime, I really just love history/fantasy based, anime of ancient Japan.

I thought the story was a little hard to follow at first because they kept throwing in new people in every episode. Then about the time when I could watch the movie without having to think who was who and how they realated to everyone else they went and messed with the animation. There was 2 or 3 episodes in the middle of the series where the animation was quite horrifying and someone nausiating to watch. Everyone had horses teeth and their faces looked like a wax doll stuck in the fire. At that point the series went back to confusing (since it was hard to tell the people apart since the animation style changed so drastically).

All in all, if you are going mostly for story and don't care about animation style, then give this one a try....but my biggest suggestion on this one is rent it or borrow a copy before you decide to buy!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: finally found
Review: I saw this movie 1st and 2nd vcd version of this title but wondering to find the next series.....it has an amazing story and good quality anime...not to mention the soundtrack

A must for anime lover


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