It was only recently that I discovered Touken Ranbu via Twitter (around June 2021), so I’m a fairly new fan.
Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru
When I first started watching Hanamaru, I tried watching it in sub, but very quickly had to switch to the dub. The reason being that I couldn’t keep up with reading both the subs and the names being put up at the same time! Being completely new to this story (i.e. hadn’t played the game before watching the anime), I didn’t know any of the characters and, in that first episode, we’re introduced to 17 different swords! Not to mention the fact that they have long (Japanese) names, which didn’t help me any either.
I really struggled to remember their names, even by the end of watching the series. Though, now, I’ve got them under control (for the most part at least… Seriously, for a good long while I was calling Monoyoshi ‘Good luck’ as I couldn’t remember his name…).
Despite all this, the fact that there are so many characters with such varied personalities and histories, is interesting (even if it is a little overwhelming, initially). I really like the variety that exists in this series. Besides their different personalities and histories (as previously mentioned), I also like the variety of clothing styles, accessories and colours associated with the different characters.
In regards to the characters, I’m fond of most of them. As usual, some stand out more than others, but
everyone has their place.
The characters I’m particularly fond of in Hanamaru are (in no special order): Kashuu, Mikazuki, Kasen, Hasebe, Yagen, Gokotai, Hakata, Izuminokami, and Horikawa. (There are others that I’m fond of besides these, but we’ll be here forever if I listed everyone according to their varying ‘fondness’ levels…) Of these nine, the ones that I feel similar to are actually Kasen and Hasebe; I share their cleanliness and organizational habits.
As mentioned earlier, I hadn’t played the game before watching the anime so I missed a lot of the game details in the series when I initially watched it. However, now that I’ve ‘become’ a ‘saniwa’, I can see and appreciate the clever inclusion of various elements from the game.
For example, in episode 1 we see the ‘Moderate’ sign over Ishikirimaru which appears after a sortie/battle where the sword’s been injured. In episode 2, we see the assigning of duties ~ my only ‘complaint’ is I wish we actually had all the duties mentioned in the episode. In episode 4, we see an example of a ‘nito-kaigan’ (a 2-sword attack performed by an uchigatana and a wakizashi). Then, in episode 5, we see, what I think may be, an example of ‘Scouting Failed’ when Mikazuki’s examining a wall when he needs be scouting the area. Shortly after, we also see him perform a stronger attack that the swords do when they’ve been injured to a particular level.
One of the events also made an appearance. In S02E02, the expedition where Ichigo and his team go to look for gold in Osaka castle, I think, was based on ‘Underground Treasure Chest’. This in event, you can get extra koban (gold) if you have Hakata on your team.
One aspect that really stood out to me, and was something I highly appreciated, was the unique ‘outro’ songs and animation that accompanied them. This isn’t something they had to do and it probably added more to the production costs, but I really love this unique touch to this anime.
In a similar vein, in regards to small details, if you look at the ‘plaque’ that comes up when a new sword is introduced; where their name is written, you’ll see their crest in the top right and bottom left corners. I just love those kinds of little touches!
This series, in my opinion, is also a very clever way of ‘teaching’ people about Japanese history. The anime occasionally brings up specific historical events which the swords have to go and protect from the retrograde army, thus educating us a little in the subject. Though, because we’re interested in the characters, we research the real swords and find out their stories, which then ‘inadvertently’ educates us further in Japanese history. Well… this is how it’s been for me at least. I mean, there’s no other reason, I think, that I would be reading a book about the Shinsengumi unless I’d been introduced to the group by a character I liked and ended up being curious about their past.
In conclusion, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching this sweet and ‘fluffy’ series. It has a good mix of ‘slice of life’, ‘action’ and education.
Favourites:
• Character: Kashuu or Mikazuki. (It’s hard to choose just one of them…).
• Episode: S01E06 ~ It has a song in the middle of it that’s all about making udon. ‘Nuff said! XD
(Though, I also like the scene with Yamabushi and Hakata when they get separated from the main group and are a little stuck in that ravine… I feel a little sorry for Hakata, but all in all it’s a very amusing part of the episode. As well as the scene just before that with Otegine showing off with his spear – don’t look at him, look at Kashuu for the truly funny part of that scene. ^-^)
• Ending Song: I really like both S01E04 (Toki Zotomo Nashi Kenbi no Hana yo) & (Okiraku
Chindouchuu) S01E06’s songs. They’ve both got great beats that I enjoy listening to. (Though, I should probably find the lyrics and see what they’re actually singing…) Their accompanying animations are nice too. (I particularly like in the S01E04 one where, in one section, we see all 5 Shinsengumi swords as swords, but you’d only know that if you knew about the Shinsengumi swords being a quintet, I think, as we haven’t met Nagasone at this point in the anime. I only picked up on that scene after learning about there being 5 swords in their ‘group’.)
Recommendation Rating:
8/10.
Touken Ranbu - Katsugeki
Having come from Hanamaru to this… Yikes. This series was ‘intense’ in comparison. However, I ended up really enjoying this one too.
The first thing to catch my eye was the beautiful animation. The artwork is lovely and suits the much more serious tone the series has in comparison to the gentler tone of Hanamaru. It was interesting to see Saniwa in this series too.
I really enjoyed seeing the guys in action in this series, particularly Yagen (he really surprised me with his entrance). I don’t usually like series that have blood in them, but this series is just within my limits.
Now, allow me a short moment to ‘fangirl’ a little over one particular character. While I’m writing this, I’m actually watching some of the Katsugeki episodes. Right now, it’s episode 9, where we get to see this particular individual be more than I expected of him, given how I perceived him in the first 8 episodes. He’s not my favourite, but I really am very fond of Mutsunokami. He is just so-o cute! He’s like a big dog! His excitability and cheerful personality is something I can’t help but smile at when I see him (episode 2 is a prime example of that). I did not expect him to be as mature as he was in episode 9, when he ended up meeting his old wielder again. I was so proud of him! (Which is the opposite of how I felt about another little somebody later on in the series. *Sigh* I digress.) Mutsunokami is just such a loveable character in this series and I’m glad he was one of the main characters so we could spend a fair bit of time with him.
Another incredibly cute character is Konnosuke. Way… too… cute! He just makes we want to cuddle him. ^-^
I really liked the other members of the Second Unit too; particularly Yagen, Horikawa and Izuminokami. My favourite scene with Yagen (besides his entrance) has to be the part with the horses. ^-^ Dear, sweet Yagen; the horses seem to agree. XD Horikawa is super sweet too, but… my goodness did he worry me near the end there… Finally, Izuminokami. I agree with the gist of Konnosuke’s assessment of him; he’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s got potential to be a good unit leader. He’s a lot more serious in this series than in Hanamaru (but I think they all are) and I’d like to see him relax a little more. Though, I doubt that’ll happen unless they have one of those ‘chilled out’ episodes.
As for the First Unit, they were okay, but… I just didn’t ‘connect’ with any of them really. Mikazuki’s the only exception. To me, he’s the sweetest member of that unit (and I really enjoyed seeing him in action!). Personally, I felt the First Unit came off with this ‘superior’ air which tends to irritate me a little. I know they’re good and they are, probably, the strongest team in the citadel, but… still. Fortunately, they didn’t act arrogantly, which I was glad to see, but… it was the way they were portrayed as this ‘higher’ team that really got to me. (I have the same issue with another team in another series.) I appreciated their humility though. (Mikazuki seems to be the most humble of them.) Also, I really liked how the First Unit do what they can to help those who are suffering due to the time retrograde army causing trouble in their time period. This is something that endears them to me.
One thing that I found a bit of a let-down in the English version was that they didn’t dub the end previews! I happened to see the previews on the Japanese version when I was watching a YouTuber reacting to the series and, thus, I went to have a look for myself. I’m so glad I got to see them; even if they are only in Japanese, because it’s those kinds of ‘little things’ that I really like in a series. Adding that little bit extra on is something I appreciate the creators doing.
In conclusion, Katsugeki is, all-in-all, an enjoyable action series with beautiful animation. I hope they make a second season so we can continue enjoying this more ‘intense’ version of a Touken Ranbu anime and maybe get to see a few other sword warriors in this style.
Favourites:
• Character: Izuminokami or Yagen.
• Team: Second Unit.
• Episode: S01E08. (It’s one of the more relaxed episodes of Katsugeki, so… no wonder I like it. One of my favourite scenes in this episode is Mutsunokami’s reaction to Izuminokami not asking him to join the Second Unit. XD It makes me want to laugh every time!)
Recommendation Rating:
8/10.
So, as you can see, I found both Hanamaru and Katsugeki to be really lovely series. For me, they provide options for different moods. Sometimes I’m really not in the mood for anything too ‘intense’ so Hanamaru provides the ‘light’ entertainment I need. (Well, mostly. There are some episodes that are a little too heavy for me when I ‘need’ gentler viewing options…) Then Katsugeki’s there when I need a more ‘action
packed’ series.
I enjoyed learning more about Japanese history via these series and my own resulting research.
One last thing, don’t forget to check out the Downloads page for the Touken Ranbu PC and phone
backgrounds I made for you. Also, let me know what your favourites are from Touken Ranbu and inform me of any little details I probably missed! You can find my Contact details on the About page. I look forward to hearing what you have to share.
Until next time, keep enjoying your fan side of life!
Comments