Blade of the Immortal
Synopsis
Manji is an infamous swordsman in feudal Japan who is known as the "Hundred Man Killer," as he has killed one hundred innocent men. However, there is something far more frightening than his ominous reputation: the fact that he is immortal. This is the handiwork of eight-hundred-year-old nun Yaobikuni, who placed bloodworms capable of healing almost any wound in Manji's body. To atone for his crimes, Manji resolves to kill one thousand evil men. Yaobikuni agrees to this proposal, saying that if he succeeds, she will undo his curse of immortality. Soon after this promise, Manji meets Rin Asano, a 16-year-old girl who requests Manji's assistance in killing those who slaughtered her parents. Initially reluctant, Manji refuses Rin's desperate plea. However, owing to her evident lack of strength, Manji changes his mind and agrees to protect Rin for four years. With this partnership set in stone, the two embark on a perilous journey of bloodshed, vengeance, and redemption, each to fulfill their own life's cause. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed. Some appreciate the stylized direction and character development, while others criticize the inconsistent animation, rushed story, and gratuitous violence. Many manga readers felt that the anime adaptation failed to capture the depth and detail of the source material, resulting in a disjointed narrative.
Strengths
- Stylized direction enhances graphic content.
- Character development is well-executed despite skipped manga content.
- Voice acting is generally good.
- Story is dark and has amazing characters
Weaknesses
- Animation quality is inconsistent, with poor fight scenes.
- Story feels disjointed and rushed due to manga content being cut or skipped.
- Pacing issues cause arcs to feel rushed or drag on.
- Some find the gratuitous violence and cruelty off-putting.
- OP song is considered horrendous by some viewers.
- Lack of consistency and terrible writing.