Meiji Gekken: 1874
Synopsis
Shizuma Origasa, once a renowned samurai in the Aizu Domain, has fallen on hard times following his home region's crushing defeat against the new imperial government. To make ends meet, Shizuma now works as a rickshaw puller in Tokyo. Meanwhile, he tirelessly searches for his missing fiancée, Sumie Kanomata, the younger sister of his close friend Gennosuke, who had entrusted Shizuma with her safety in his final moments. After foiling an assassination plot, Shizuma is hired by the police force, and he uses this opportunity to further his pursuit of Sumie. However, he soon lands in a whirlpool of political conspiracies involving government loyalists, persistent rebels, cunning courtesans, meddlesome foreigners, and even a mysterious yakuza member, Kyoushirou Shuragami. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is mixed. While the show is praised for its political plot and historical setting, many find the story overly complex and the characters underdeveloped. Technical aspects like music and sound design receive positive remarks, but the inconsistent visuals and pacing detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, enjoyment hinges on one's tolerance for convoluted narratives and focus on political intrigue over character depth.
Strengths
- Well-crafted political plot
- Great music and solid sound design
- Good world-building, paints a good picture of Japan
Weaknesses
- Convoluted and complex plot
- Inconsistent pacing and runtime
- One-note and underdeveloped characters
- Unengaging protagonist storyline
- Visually inconsistent, ranging from average to distractingly bad