Shin Hakkenden
Synopsis
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. 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. Each possessing one of the jewels - the elements that compose Earth. They are those who are destined to become saviors of humanity. All of them have sacrificed for these jewels, and are determined to complete their duty to Queen Fuse who entrusted these to them. When the mad emperor Kai threatens to revive a ghost who wants to prevent the restoration of Earth, these eight must battle using the powers given by their jewels in order to create Earth and defeat those who want to prevent it. So they all go to Kusanagi, the ship in the center of God's land. They must gather the jewels in the key called Yatsufusa at Kusanagi's center, in order to create Earth. (Source: AniDB)
Audience Consensus
Shin Hakkenden is appreciated for its character-driven narrative and exploration of deep themes, although it is weighed down by its dated production values and some narrative inconsistencies. The strong character development and unique world-building compensate for the flaws, leading to a mixed but generally positive reception. Viewers find the story and characters engaging, but are often distracted by the animation and sound quality.
Strengths
- Well-developed characters with tragic backstories
- Good pacing with meaningful fight scenes
- Exploration of character development and motivations
Weaknesses
- Outdated and low-budget animation and art
- Repetitive and limited music
- Lack of depth in villains
- Unbalanced fantasy elements that interfere with the Sci-Fi vibe