ONIMUSHA (Anime Series)

Reviewed by Dennis D. McDonald

Onimusha, an eight-episode anime series on Netflix, combines 2-D and 3-D animation to tell a familiar "on foot in old Japan" story. This time, the plot follows an aging samurai tasked with defeating a former comrade who now leads an army of undead zombies, hiding out in a distant, gold-filled mountain.

Our hero is equipped with a magical gauntlet that significantly enhances his powers in battle. However, using the gauntlet is not only painful, it also leads him to question everything around him.

Yes, the series is based on a video game, and you'll notice video game elements sprinkled throughout. I went in knowing nothing about the game and still found the series enjoyable.

The characters are memorable and well-defined, the frequent sword fights are expertly choreographed, and the emotional resonance of the story is gripping. While the characters spend much of their time traveling, the scenery and geography are constantly varied and occasionally stunning.

In a nutshell, Onimusha never feels dull, despite its use of common themes such as quests, rogue samurai, old grudges, and children in danger. But beware—there's plenty of bloodshed!

Review copyright 2024 by Dennis D. McDonald