As printed in The Northern Light newspaper
Sept. 26, 2006
“Basilisk” takes the familiar concept of two people in love from feuding families and adds ninjas with special individualized powers clashing in bloody battles. The lovers introduced in the first episode meet a tragic fate at each other’s hands after their families’ feud makes them spend their lives separated and at war, but their two grandchildren want to end the animosity and get married. However, unbeknownst to them, the top 10 ninjas from the two clans are put on a hit list, and whichever clan survives longest decides the next shogun.
The character designs give a very different look, almost a caricature, to each of the ninjas; one is limbless and moves like a snake, another is nearly round and can blow himself up like a balloon, one moves like a spider and so on. As odd and over-the-top as most of the ninja fighters are, the love story is handled with much more realism and subtlety. Whether or not their love can avoid the tragic path their grandparents took is as interesting as the actual war between the clans.
By the end of the first volume of “Basilisk,” the two lovers are still unaware that their clans are actively fighting, but several ninjas have already been crossed off the list – and some of those who get killed are surprising. With period romance, fluid action/animation and bloody battles, “Basilisk” has a lot to offer those who are looking for a serious drama (with super ninjas).
"Basilisk: Vol. 1" ★ ★ ★ ★
U.S. Release: FUNimation
Animation: Gonzo
Release date: Aug. 8, 2006
Genres: Romance, historical, action, drama
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