Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East-
Synopsis
The village of Ootsuka—home to Shino Inuzuka, Sousuke Inukawa, and Hamaji—was lit on fire under the preconception that a virus had seen all of its life eradicated. Now surrounded by flames and on the verge of death, the three were approached by a strange man holding a sword. He tells them that they must reach a decision if they want to live. That night changed everything for these children. Five years later, the family of three now lives under the watchful eye of the small Imperial Church in a nearby village. All is fine and dandy until the Church attempts to reclaim the demonic sword of Murasame. To accomplish this, they kidnap Hamaji to lure Shino, now a bearer of Murasame's soul, and Sousuke, who possesses the ability to transform into a dog. The brothers must put their differences aside to rescue their beloved sister from the Church in the Imperial Capital, signalling the beginning of a very difficult journey.
Audience Consensus
Hakkenden is visually appealing with interesting characters, but its convoluted and slow-moving plot divides viewers. Some appreciate the character-driven narratives and the mix of genres, while others find the lack of a clear central plot and the shounen-ai undertones off-putting. The series requires patience, as it takes several episodes to become engaging.
Strengths
- Beautiful and distinctive art style.
- Intriguing character backstories.
- Good balance of magical elements, emotional moments, and comedy.
Weaknesses
- Straying or disconnected central plot.
- Slow plot progression, especially in the first season.
- Unclear plot elements and confusing curse explanations.
- Presence of shounen-ai themes may deter some viewers.