Blade of the Immortal
Does doing what is good and just undo one’s past evils? Or is it just a way to atone for one's sins while carrying the burden of the irreparable? The scales of justice don't tip easily; even if a person changes, their victims will never be the same, no matter how many benefit from their goodwill. One should try to make amends, as it is undoubtedly a starting point for redemption. Perhaps one day, all will come to terms with what has transpired and attain peace.
“Blade of the Immortal,” also known as “Mugen no Juunin,” is a 13-episode TV Anime series that aired from July 14th until the 29th of December in 2008, with new episodes typically releasing every two weeks on the AT-X channel in Japan. It was produced by Production I.G., Pony Canyon, Kodansha, and Tokyu Agency; licensed by Media Blasters; and brought to life by Studio Bee Train. The main staff behind it are Kinoshita Tetsuya, Morishita Katsuji, Matsushita Takuya, and Yamada Noboru, the producers. It featured the genres of action, adventure, drama, and supernatural, along with the themes of gore, history, martial arts, and samurai. Targeted at the Seinen demographic, each episode runs for 24 minutes and earns a rating of R-17+ for its violence and profanity, making it best suited for mature audiences.
The series is based on the Manga of the same title, also known as “Inhabitant of Infinity,” which was released in the form of 30 volumes from the 25th of June 1993 until the 25th of December 2012. It is the work of author and artist Samura Hiroaki, which was serialized in Afternoon. The Manga managed to win the Excellence Prize in the first Japan Media Arts Festival back in 1997, and it was published in English via Dark Horse Comics as monthly comic issues from the 1st of June 1996 until the 14th of November 2007, but it halted after 131 issues. The publisher then released it in 31 volumes from March 1997 until April 2015, which used the unusual method of cutting out and rearranging panels in such a way that the series had to be read from left to right while still staying true to Hiroaki Samura's request not to flip pages.
Dark Horse Comics then republished the series in the form of 3-in-1 omnibus volumes, with the final one featuring “Shousetsu Mugen no Juunin: Ninjuu Ibun.” Finally, the full series was published via Editora JBC in the form of 2-in-1 omnibus volumes from December 2015 until May 2018. An alternate version of the story was released as a 24-episode ONA series from October 2019 until March 2020, which was licensed by Sentai Filmworks and brought to life by Studio LIDENFILMS. It also followed the same source manga, featuring 23-minute episodes and earning a similar rating.
The story is centered around the protagonist Manji, who is a famous samurai swordsman living in feudal Japan and is well-known to all as the "Hundred Man Killer." He has earned this ominous nickname by having killed one hundred innocent men, and there is something far more terrifying about him than his frightening reputation: his immortality! This unnatural circumstance can be credited to the handiwork of an eight-hundred-year-old nun, Yaobikuni, who had put bloodworms capable of healing almost any injury in the protagonist's body. In an attempt to atone for his heinous crimes, Manji steels his resolve to kill one thousand evil men, which Yaobikuni accepts as the condition for the undoing of his immortality curse. Soon after making this promise, Manji fatefully crosses paths with Rin Asano, a 16-year-old girl seeking his assistance to take down those who slaughtered her parents. Feeling reluctant at first, Manji refuses this desperate plea but soon changes his mind after witnessing her highly evident lack of strength. Agreeing to protect the young girl for four years, the duo set their partnership in stone and set off on a perilous journey full of bloodshed, vengeance, and redemption. While each of them strives to achieve their life’s cause, what destiny could be awaiting them along this blood-soaked path?
The story department presents a tale of extreme violence, making it unsuitable for those who are easily offended. This is a historical drama that develops slowly but surely as the blood-soaked episodes press on, and it's actually pretty similar to Samurai Champloo when it comes to the themes tackled. However, it also skillfully addresses the fragile balance between masculinity and femininity in a way that feels very raw and untouchable. You will see people, regardless of their gender, being treated in such brutal ways that undermine the value of a human being from so many different angles. This film is very depressing, because it throws into perspective just how worthless someone can be in the grand scheme of things, but this is also reflective of a reality most choose not to accept. So it's safe to say that this story is very heavy on the heart and mind, while also being emotionally intense and making you question exactly what is good and just in such a godforsaken world. This is why it’s easy to become invested in the story if you pay attention to its depth, and there is much critical thinking required to fully enjoy it. However, I've heard from Manga readers that the series is incredibly rushed, losing much of its nuanced intrinsic value.
In terms of character analysis, Manji perpetuates serious violence and forces you to confront the question of whether he can be considered a noble person solely because he chose to help one girl seeking revenge. Whatever little goodness lies within him surfaces for her sake, but it doesn't justify his countless murders. But does a character have to be morally just for them to be likable? Not in my eyes, which is why I like him as a character, even though he feels nothing for human life. His punishment is immortality, which means he can never have peace on earth, with his sins constantly haunting him. On the other hand, Rin stands out as a character who is conflicted, possesses compassion, and remains fundamentally human. However, her desire for revenge causes her internal turmoil, even as she tends to prioritize others over herself during her journey.
This is in stark contrast with the male leads in the story, including Magatsu Taito, who pursue a singular goal without any doubts and regardless of the hardships they face. The main antagonist, Anotsu Kagehisa, is a very skilled samurai with unshakable ideals, which honestly made me like him too. He is a radical in this setting, a man whose goals of learning more and perfecting samurai arts went at odds with the rigid conservatism surrounding him, particularly his superiors. Preserving tradition is important, but is embracing change and development really a detrimental thing? Not everyone has the bravery to do so, and to call him a regular villain is a tremendous disservice to his complex character. My only gripe is that character development is lacking, especially when there are such solid opportunities for it.
The art and animation department definitely screams historical drama: dark, gruesome, and scruffy with a muted color palette. It’s not high quality, but it definitely suits the vibe of the show, so expect to see a lot of shading, blood, scars, and dismembered body parts. The animation is decent for an Action series, but it bores me over time because most aspects are visually similar, especially the backgrounds. The art style is mature, featuring distinct line art, but don't anticipate eye-candy or breathtaking scenery that will imprint each moment in memory. The character designs are faithful to the manga, simple yet memorable, with each character bearing traits that point towards their personality or backstory.
The sound and music department is actually one of the highlights. The opening theme, "Akai Usagi" by Makura no Soushi, may not resonate with everyone, but I appreciated its somber and grim tone. Visually, it tells you exactly what to expect from this show: gore, nudity, drama, and uneasiness, alongside the tune, which just beats at your eardrums with ominous lyrics. In comparison, the ending theme, "Wants," by GRAPEVINE is quite chill and serves as a good exit from each episode with its slow and lazy tune. At times, the OSTs capture the moments better than the visuals do, and they effectively convey a grim atmosphere. Lastly, while the Voice Acting may not be particularly noteworthy, the cast does a decent job of guiding their characters through the most dramatic moments.
Overall, “Blade of the Immortal” may not be the greatest adaptation with the highest production values, but it does its best to tell a very complex story through the short span of 13 episodes. The rushed nature of it meant that most of the deeply nuanced aspects of the show are lost alongside much-needed character development, so I recommend the Manga to anyone willing to check it out. If you are willing to sit down and give your full attention to the show, then you may still be able to salvage the dark societal themes it addresses and actually walk away with thought-provoking questions for yourself. If you’re up for that, I recommend this series to you.
