Kikuchiyo

A quick note before you begin reading – this is volume 3 of a 7 volume series. You won’t know anything by starting here and risk possible spoilers by doing so. I recommend you go start at the beginning (after all, it only makes sense to do so).

The series is based it off of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 movie Shichinin no samurai, or Seven Samurai (where do you think we got The Magnificent Seven from?). But even though it’s based off of an older movie, it’s all redone in a futuristic setting where samurai have amazing skills, machines roam aboard, and anything goes. Joy.

The Story High Water Priestess Kirara, her sister Komachi, and friend Rikichi have traveled to the city in order to seek out samurai. As peasants who grow rice, nasty bandits who used to be samurai, but are now more machine, constantly steal the rice and sometimes even the women. So Kirara’s village is willing to hire other samurai for protection. What began as a simple quest has gained them six samurai and a whole list of new problems.

Episode 9: In Half! The group finds themselves face to face with Bandits outside the home of the Shikimoribito. With the Bandits are two others they hadn’t expected, which leads to Lady Honoka’s secret and possible death.

Episode 10: Gather! Deciding the Bandits know too much about the, the group splits up. Three people in three groups…with one extra. They travel on separate paths to get to Kanna village. Kirara tries to understand one of the samurai in her group, Katsushiro tries to defend himself against Kikuchiyo and Komachi’s claims that he likes Kirara, and Rikichi does a little dance.

Episode 11: They Come! Everyone has reached the village, but it seems the villagers have had a change of heart. Kikuchiyo makes himself useful, and each samurai is given a job to do in preparation for the Bandits’ arrival, but it looks like there’s a traitor amidst them, something Katsushiro will have to remedy.

Episode 12: Cry! It’s been a first for Katsushiro; he may be a samurai but he’s never shed blood before. Everyone else much try to figure out what to do with the traitor, and Kikuchiyo’s interesting little secret comes to light.

What’s Up?
I freaking love Kyuzo. I have a thing for guys like him. Haha. I’m a big fan of that face mask he puts on. It’s times like this I have issues. If I’m not drooling over a guy with an English/Scottish/Australian/Irish accent, I’m drooling over the not so much strong and silent type – more like the “I can kill you with stealth” and silent type. Mmm. Tasty. Like I said. I have issues.

#10 was amusing and exciting all at the same time. Depending upon which group you were with, you were either feeling embarrassed for Rikichi and laughing at Gorobei and Heihachi, or watching Shichiroji do battle. I always enjoy the interaction between Kikuchiyo and Komachi. Komachi is just so cute. Katsushiro and his issues with liking Kirara and refusing to admit it are really cute to watch too.

Heihachi’s got a kind of retributive streak in him or something. He’s all for killing traitors, something I find rather interesting seeing as he’s never killed anyone before either. Kinda surprising coming from the cute little fox guy. Still, I don’t blame him. That guy keeps stirring up trouble and bad feelings in the village and he is really starting to get on my nerves. But hey, at least Katsushiro’s made some progress because of him.

Animation There haven’t been any repeat performances of the aberrant episode 7, and I don’t think there are going to be. That’s a very good thing considering I about fell out of my chair when I saw that episode. Instead I’m busy enjoying the bright colors and clear details, loving Kambei’s look, Heihachi’s little fox-like self, Katsushiro’s dark emerald hair and eyes, and Kyuzo’s “I’ll kill you and you’ll never even have seen it coming” face. *drools*

Voices I have very few problems with either the English or Japanese version. I’ve figured out just what it is that took me a bit to get used to when it comes to Christopher Sabat as Kikuchiyo. His version is a little more pompous, whereas the Japanese version is just a little brash and louder than anything. I kind of like the Japanese version better, but ole Chris does a good job of it. I have favorites in each group; Japanese Komachi, English Katsushiro, Japanese Kambei, but overall, it’s a pretty even group. Casting directors win a cookie for doing so well in their selections. I’m rather fond of Shichiroji’s voice. I think you’ll feel the same on everything too, that is, mixed feelings. That’s always great because it means you can watch either version without anyone driving you nuts.

Music For those of you familiar with Inuyasha, the name Kaoru Wada should ring a bell. It seems by now that Kaoru Wada’s style deals a lot with drums and flutes with the occasional brass for effect. I remember thinking, “This sounds familiar…” when it first started out. Then I finally noticed the name and it all made sense. But it’s not totally Inuyasha and it works out very well with the series so I don’t even notice. In fact, I’ve taken quite a liking to the little piece that is played at the end of every episode when they showcase the “Next Time…” clips. It’s like any soundtrack music I guess; similar style, but changed up to match the action on the screen.

The opening song is “Unlimited” by Nanase Aikawa, fast and sung by a female. It’s a very good opening song and sets the right tone for the series. The ending song is “Fuhen” by Rin. It’s slower, still sung by a female, and let me just say this – the first time I heard this song I wanted it. The instrumentation is great, using a lot of instruments I don’t know the names of, though I’m sure they’ve all originated in Japan, certain flutes and strings and such. It makes for a good wind-down song after anything that’s happened in the show. Since they haven’t changed by now, I don’t think they’re going to.

Any Warnings? Naturally there is going to be fighting, violence, and the occasional killing. It’s a samurai show and if you don’t expect such things from people wielding swords, uh, I don’t know what planet you’re on. There is some swearing, but not much. That’s essentially it.

Final Thoughts It’s taking all my willpower not to just blow through this series. I don’t want to end the fun too quickly. So I’m watching one a night…ok so maybe I slipped and watched #11 the next morning. Heh. Otherwise I’m doing what I can to stretch it all out. After all, it’s only 26 episodes and I’m already half done. Can’t wait to see how the fight with the Bandits goes!

NT

Samurai 7 Volumes
Samurai 7 – Vol. 1: Search for the Seven
Samurai 7 – Vol. 2: Escape from the Merchants
Samurai 7 – Vol. 4: The Battle for Kanna
Samurai 7 – Vol. 5: Empire in Flux
Samurai 7 – Vol. 6: Broken Alliance
Samurai 7 – Vol. 7: Guardians of the Rice