Riding high on the success of
Tenchi Muyo, Pioneer, released the VHS version of
Hakkenden...
The Hakkenden: The Legend of The Dog Warriors - A towering tale from the final years of Japan's last shogunate... a Japan untouched by the West and the Industrial Revolution... a time and a land in which supernatural forces still held sway over fierce samurai warriors battling to protect their clans.
Adapted from the epic novel series of the Tokugawa period, this is the story of eight warriors... outcasts... raised in solitary childhoods, but curiously bound by the mystic beads they possess, each inscribed with a separate aspect of the Bushido, the Japanese character of perfection and unity. Alone, they are unbalanced and incomplete. Coming together one by one the warriors reach a state of harmony that allows them to fight and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Now at last, these mysterious warriors are brought to vivid life through classic animation as could only be done by Pioneer. Their hopes, their battles, their victories and the memorable characters they meet on their journey will thrill, enthrall, inspire and captivate you as they have readers for more than 150 years. Don't let the adventure pass you by.
Volume 1
The Kaleidoscope
Midnight in a nameless swamp. Eight men fight a terrible and desperate battle against an unearthly host. Eight men of strength and valor unequaled.
In 1457, in the Awa territory of Japan. The lord of Awa, Yshizane Satomi and his clan are trapped within their besieged castle; surrounded by the army of Kagetsura Anzai. Neither food nor fuel are to be found in the castle filled with the dead and dying. Murmuring his last despair to heaven, Yoshizane muses that if any could bring back the head of their enemy they would have his daughter, the Princess Fuse for a bride. No one hears, except the bare walls and Yoshizane's dog, Yatsufusa. But that is enough, as that night, Yatsufusa steals into the enemy camp, and in the morning returns to lay Kagetsura's head at the feet of his master.
The Satomi clan is saved, but Yoshizane is forced to keep his bargain, marrying Princess Fuse to the beast. In shame, Fuse accompanies Yatsufusa to a solitary existence in the mountains. When she discovers she is pregnant, Fuse prays for death.
Daisuke Kanawa, one of Satomi clan's greatest warriors and the fiance of the Princess, thought killed by Kagetsura, returns after a long journey to Castle Satomi. Learning of his bride-to-be's sad fate, Kanawa journeys into the mountains to kill Yatsufusa. He succeeds, but inadvertently slays Fuse as well. With her final words, Fuse tells Kanawa he is not to blame for her death, that she has been possessed by the vengeful spirit of Tamazusa, killed years before by Yoshizane, whose machinations have caused the tragedies which have befallen the Satomi clan. She begs Kanawa to somehow save her family from the destruction that has come upon them. With Fuse's death, the chain of eight beads hung from her neck scatter and disappear into the sky.
Dark Music Of The Gods
1463: A year after the death of Princess Fuse, in Ohtsuka village in Musashi territory, Shino Inuzuka was born. Now he is 15, the age of manhood. Shino's father, Bansaku presents him with a famous sword, "Murasame," the heirloom of a noble shogun, Nariuji Ashikaga, entrusted and held in safekeeping by Bansaku. Bansaku, growing old and weary, is uncertain of his ability to continue to protect the sword from the petty warlords who desire its prestige. He invests Shino with the mission of locating Ashikaga and returning the long lost Murasame. Soon after, Bansaku is entrapped in a conspiracy between his local magistrate brother-in-law and a strange, demoniac samurai name Samojiro Aboshi. Bansaku is forced into commission of ritual suicide to protect his honor. Aboshi comes for Shino and the Murasame. Seeking to protect his master, Shino's dog attacks Aboshi and is slaughtered by the samurai. Grieving over the corpses, Shino finds a strange, glowing bead on which the character "Ko" - or "Duty" - is inscribed. The first Dog Warrior has been found.
Volume 2
The Futility Dance
Shino Inuzuka, the first of the Dog Warriors, escapes with the Murasame sword from the trap set by his uncle, Kamezasa, vowing to avenge his father's death and fulfill his mission of delivering the sword to Lord Ashikaga. He is attacked in the woods by the sorcerous "jindai" Aboshi and barely escapes with his life. Kamezasa, meanwhile, orders Shino's comrade Sosuke to kill Shino, under the pretense that Shino is threatening Hamaji, the woman they both love and to whom Shino is engaged. Sosuke and Shino finally meet on a boat in the middle of the "Wild" River. As Sosuke is about to attack, Shino's "Ko" bead emerges magically from his robe, matched by a similar bead that emerges from Sosuke's. Acknowledging, though not understanding some inexplicable bond between themselves, Shino and Sosuke end their fight and decide to join as brothers. Under the influence of Kamezasa, Hamaji's foster parents agree to a marriage between Hamaji and the jindai Aboshi. In love with Shino, Hamaji vows to die before the wedding. Aboshi prevents the suicide, but when Hamaji discovers his demonic nature, he launches a murderous assault. As Hamaji is cornered, a man claiming to be her half brother shows up. His name is Dosetsu Inuyama, the third dog warrior.
Horyu Tower
As Hamaji's foster parents search for her, the jindai Aboshi searches the village for Hamaji and Dosetsu with deadly intent. Hamaji's foster father, Hikiroku, tries to appease the jindai by giving him with the Murasame sword, but it is to no avail as Aboshi assumes a monstrous form and begins a savage attack on the village. Sosuke returns in the midst of the battle and fights alone against the Aboshi. With the help of his mystic bead, he destroys the monster, but the corpse left is that of a young village girl. Sosuke is arrested by Kamezasa as a murderer.
Meanwhile, Shino is permitted to see Ashikaga to present the Murasame sword. Somehow however, the sword has been replaced with a fake. The vassals of Ashikaga accuse Shino as an assassin and turn on him, but he escapes into the forest. In frustration, Ashikaga's retainers release a particularly dangerous man imprisoned in Ashikaga's dungeon, on condition he find and return Shino. This is Genpachi Inukai, the fourth dog warrior!
Volume 3
Demon's Melody
Shino and Genpachi fall into the Tone River after lightning strikes Horyu Tower. They are rescued by Genpachi's old friend, Kobungo Inuta, who runs an inn in a small town nearby. A rowdy youth, who as a young man had killed a man, Kobungo sealed his sword after his father was killed trying to stop one of Kobungo's duels. Genpachi is only slightly injured and recovers quickly, but Shino is suffering from a high fever. Kobungo's brother in law, Fusahachi, tips off the search party about the two fugitives and the inn is surrounded by Koga vigilantes. Grimly, Kobungo finally breaks the seal of his sword. Fusahachi attacks Kobungo, but kills his wife by accident. Infuriated, Kobungo kills Fusahachi. Strangely, upon death the two corpses transform into dogs. Kobungo hurls Fusahachi's head outside, where the Koga vigilantes believe it to be Shino's and return to Koga. Shino now discovers Genpachi and Kobungo also have beads identical to his own.
The Cicada Spirit Cry
Shino, Genpachi, and Kobungo leave for Otsuka village to see Sosuke. Kobungo must make a detour on the way to drop off his baby nephew, Daihachi, with relatives in the mountains. As Kobungo reaches the house, he sees a bead in baby Daihachi's hand and realizes the infant is one of the dog warriors. Suddenly, Princess Fuse and Yatsufusa appear. Kobungo hands the baby to her and heads for Otsuka village.
Sosuke has been sentenced to death by crucifixion. Shino and Genpachi sneak into the execution site and wait for morning, and when the execution is about to begin, attempt a rescue. As they are cornered by gun-toting locals, Kobungo appears!
Volume 4
Spirits
Chudai, Shino, Sosuke, Genpachi, Kobungo and Dosetsu are finally all brought together by a strange monk, but safety does not last long.
Dosetsu carries the bead of "CHU" - "loyalty" - but the only loyalties he carries in his heart are for the Murasame sword and his desire to avenge his father's murder. In "Spirits", Dosetsu learns a terrible lesson when his thirst for vengeance costs the lives of two friends and may lead to the destruction of all the Dog Warriors. Will he find a way to save them and earn a new beginning for himself?
Hakkenden Digest
...is also a new beginning for "The Hakkenden". Between episodes 6 and 7, a number of changes were made in production staff. With episode 7, the series takes on a newer, deeper look, although we have been careful to retain the classic, surreal feel that made the first six chapters so special. There are also new opening and ending themes, and special additions to the inserts. For this reason, Volume 4 also includes "The Hakkenden Digest," a recap of Chapters 1-6 that will clarify any questions old fans may have and bring new fans up to date. If you haven't caught on to Pioneer's fantastic adaptation of this Japanese classic, there's no better time to get timeless.
Volume 5
Taigyuro Hall
Having disguised himself as a dancing girl, Keno draws ever closer to avenging his father. But when the dark shadows of Taigyuro are drenched in blood, evil spirits unsheathe their malicious fangs...
The Legend of the Ghost Cat
Daikaku lives in his reclusive hideaway, disowned after his father was taken over by evil spirits. His sword grown dull by memories of bygone days, he has been driven to the very brink of despair...
Volume 6
Hamaji's Resurrection
Hamaji emerges from the spirit world enrapturing the three dog warriors, as an evil shadow creeps into their tormented souls...
Dog Warriors in the Netherworld
Who really is this Aboshi that has joined up with the Hikitas, the enemies of the Satomi Clan?! The mystery of the fateful attraction that has brought these eight dog warriors together is about to be solved.
Volume 7
Aspirations of Paradise
The time has come to solve this strange mystery! Manipulated by the hand of fate, the eight warriors gather at Satomi castle. They find, however, the figure of Hamaji in the enemy's clutches.
Taking Leave of A Sullied World
The time for the final battle has come at last. Will they savor victory... or suffer defeat? And what strange fate awaits the eight dog warriors after their fight?
Crimson Blade - The Mix
A fusion of London underground house and Japanese animation! Featuring "Moloko Plus" by Magic Alec. "Crimson Blade - The Mix" combine footage from "The Hakkenden" with the pulsating grooves of Magic Alec's "Moloko Plus". The music, getting wide play in British dance clubs, provides an adrenaline pumping background for sampled video segments that depict an entertaining overview of "The Hakkenden".
Hakkenden is in fact two related series - "Hakkenden" Volumes 1-6 circa 1990/1991 and "Hakkenden New Chapter" Volumes 1-7 circa 1993/1995. Between episodes 6 (Hakkenden 6 - "The Cicada Spirit Cry") and 7 (Hakkenden New Chapter 1 - "Spirits"), a number of changes were made in production staff. With episode 7, the series takes on a new look and there are also new opening and ending themes.
This samurai epic just wasn't my cup of tea. I used to have the first volume on subtitled VHS. Although, after watching "Crimson Blade" (a music video with images from the series) I did consider giving the series another try (maybe, but, probably not). Definitely not. I gave
Hakkenden a 1 out of 5. In the aftermath of the
Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep
Hakkenden in my archive.
