Kai Doh Maru (Animated) (DVD)

Kai Doh Maru is a masterpiece anime.

This particular anime has come under criticism by many US and UK viewers because they felt that the story was too random and contained loads of continuity errors.
These are ridiculous statements.
Kai Doh Maru isn't an animation with a clear-cut storyline; it is an ambient piece of work that focuses on a specific set of characters. The so-called story gaps are used to create a feeling ...
...Kai Doh Maru prefers to give us incomplete clues and undersized character backgrounds in effort to let your imagination knit the omitted bits together.

Kai Doh Maru tells the story of Kentoki, a rebellious young girl, part of a notorious government-based group called the "Four Horsemen". She was adopted and raised as a boy, then as a masterful Samurai, by Lord Raiko, leader of the defence ministry.
She came upon Lord ... more

Kai Doh Maru is a masterpiece anime.

This particular anime has come under criticism by many US and UK viewers because they felt that the story was too random and contained loads of continuity errors.
These are ridiculous statements.
Kai Doh Maru isn't an animation with a clear-cut storyline; it is an ambient piece of work that focuses on a specific set of characters. The so-called story gaps are used to create a feeling of mystery. Rather than explaining everything in a Hollywoodien fashion, Kai Doh Maru prefers to give us incomplete clues and undersized character backgrounds in effort to let your imagination knit the omitted bits together.

Kai Doh Maru tells the story of Kentoki, a rebellious young girl, part of a notorious government-based group called the "Four Horsemen". She was adopted and raised as a boy, then as a masterful Samurai, by Lord Raiko, leader of the defence ministry.
She came upon Lord Raiko whilst fleeing from her uncle, a terrible man torn by jealousy over his father's decision to nominate Kentoki as potential successor (the exact nature of the father's position remains unknown).
However, Kentoki's security is only temporary. Her past has yet to catch up with her...

It is a very short anime, 47 minutes approx.

Kai Doh Maru is the most beautiful anime I have ever seen, in terms of sheer artistry. It could be compared with Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, because of it's striking use of colour and depth; not so much with G.I.T.S 2's technical aspects.
The whole feature looks like it was the direct product of a scenic painting brought to life. This is not an exaggerated statement, either. I can assure you that Kai Doh Maru looks like nothing else on the Japanese anime market. It is visual poetry.

Kai Doh Maru's imagery works on the basis of blending 2D drawings and 3D animation. This is done in most anime nowadays. However, I dare you to find a more intelligent and refined use of this specific technique in any other anime.
You will come across bright colours illuminating a pale sky in an almost realistic way, cutting through computer generated trees that look obviously out-of-place. This is not a mistake; it creates a deep contrast, as well as a level of depth. All this is shaped by artists such as Takaharu Yoshizawa, Makoto Endo and Shou Tajima.

On a conceptual level, Kai Doh Maru blends traditional Samurai style and slight fantasy, such as magic incantation and a mysterious supernatural flavour. However, these styles do not get in the way of each other; they really merge in a mature way.

The battle scenes in Kai Doh Maru are mind-bending. The camera hunks along with the muscular physic of the characters, before plunging alongside a blood-soaked blade or jumping furiously into a documentary-like hand-held manner. It is simply unbelievable, hyper-innovative.
I should add that the battles are very realistic as well as stylish, containing restrained but graphical violence.

The opening music is a by Yutaka Fukuoka; a blend of soft meditative jazzy sounds, hip-hop beats and soul-like singing. Very nice.
The opening credits to Kai Doh Maru are very unusual, featuring a gallery of paintings and drawings that capture the style and spirit of the Heian Period (794 - 1192).
The ending credits are splashed upon a white screen and then fade out into more paintings and drawings, with Japanese poetry attached (probably genuine Heian Period poetry).

The extras on the DVD are pretty good for a "Manga" release.
You get an insightful interview with the director and 2 other artists, some CG-model demonstration shots, character profile sheets if you get confused, some stills, the original trailer and other release previews.
If you cannot cope with the Japanese subtitled version, which would be unfortunate, the English dubbing is o.k; nothing outstanding, though.
I personally think that dubbing kills the feature.

Kai Doh Maru is the most beautiful anime ever.
If you prefer straight-forward anime, then look elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you have an interest for original and exciting anime features, then look no further.
This is a masterpiece.

*

(Written by myself - no violation, no lifting, no breach of copyright) 

...less