Gekijouban Hakuouki: Daiisshou Kyouto ranbu (2013)

movie

(168)

Country: Japan
Genres: Animation
Release: 2013-08-24
Director: Osamu Yamasaki
Writers: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa , Osamu Yamasaki
Language: Japanese
Stars: Leraldo Anzaldua , Leraldo Anzaldua , Chris Ayres , Chris Ayres , Greg Ayres , Greg Ayres , Cameron Bautsch , Cameron Bautsch , Cameron Bautsch , Cameron Bautsch , Clint Bickham , Clint Bickham , Clint Bickham , Clint Bickham , Rutherford Cravens , Rutherford Cravens , Shannon Emerick , Shannon Emerick , Shannon Emerick , Shannon Emerick
Runtime: 95 min
Awards: 2 nominations
AKA: Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (Germany) , Hakuoki - Film 1: Danse sanglante à Kyoto (France, French Republic) , Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (United States of America) , 劇場版薄桜鬼 (Japan) , Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (United Kingdom) , Gekijôban: Hakuôki: Daiisshô Kyoto ranbu , Hakuoki: Danse sanglante à Kyoto (France, French Republic) , Gekijouban Hakuouki: Daiisshou Kyouto ranbu (United States of America) , Gekijouban Hakuouki (Japan) , Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Wild Dance of Kyoto (Germany) , Hakuoki ~Demon of the Fleeting Blossom~ Wild Dance of Kyoto (Germany) , 劇場版薄桜鬼　第一章京都乱舞 (Japan)
Plot: For those familiar with the games or anime, the Hakuouki movies are terrific additions. The first movie, Kyoto Ranbu (Wild Dance of Kyoto), follows the storyline of the anime Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan. The creators couldn't fit all the content of the twelve episodes into the movie's 90-minute running time, but I believe they did a decent job given their task. For those unfamiliar with Hakuouki, the storyline may come across as complicated and possibly confusing as there is quite an amount of information squeezed in. Nevertheless, it is still a fine introduction to the Hakuouki franchise.Compared to anime and standing on it's own, the movie has beautiful animation and a gorgeous soundtrack that can give you the chills. The dialogue may not be as smooth as that in the anime, but the story moves forward. There are a few slow talking scenes but these are interspersed with the action scenes. Many of the events that occur are historically based, taking place in 19th century Japan. Most of the characters are likewise based on historical figures. The furies (raesetsu) and devils (oni) are obviously fiction, as is the character Chizuru Yukimura. Compared to the games, the movie mostly follows the route of Hijikata-hen, but each of the other characters gets a chance in the spotlight. Although the movie does not give much time to expand on each of them, this is nice to see.Overall, this is a beautiful, unique anime; but I caution viewers who have not first seen the anime or played the games.
IMDB:tt3856638