(originally published on Livejournal 4/9/10)
Anime Review in a Minute:
Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan
What This Is All About: I am going to attempt to watch at least the first episode of every anime show of the new season that is subtitled. The review will be divided into three short sections: “The Elevator Speech”, a quick two-to-three sentence synopsis of the episode; “The Skinny”, my initial reactions, and “The Verdict”, a simple Pass/Fail grade that determines whether to continue to the next episode or not – I’m guessing that between 50-75% off all first episodes will earn a failing grade.
The Elevator Speech: Set in the 1860’s Chizuru’s father has been missing for a month, so she disguises herself as a man and heads to the city to find him. Saved from an attack by some strangely deranged ronin at the last second, she passes out and finds herself the next morning in the custody of the Shinsengumi (a specialized police force, think of them sort of like the period equivalent of the Texas Rangers). Turns out that the Shinsengumi are, by coincidence, also searching for Chizuru’s father, a doctor who is darkly hinted to be involved in some unsavory secret business with the Shinsengumi.
The Skinny: I have trouble finding much positive to say about this show. Then again, I’m not exactly the target audience; the anime is based on romance adventure video game for girls (strike one), and I generally have a dislike towards samurai/ronin/historical shows (strike two). Outside from one excessively bloody scene to open the show, it’s all talking and introductions about characters I can’t relate to at all (the young girl’s the only likable one in the lot). So, what did you think, Mr. Horse? No sir, I didn’t like it.
The Verdict: 
More Info:
Random Curiosity’s Review: http://randomc.net/2010/04/04/hakuouki-01/
Fan Site: http://hakuouki.libera-me.org/
