Ever since childhood, Kintoki (commonly known as Kai Doh Maru) has lived a difficult life of bloodshed, as a woman who was raised to be like a man. With the help of her mentor and comrades, she helps defend her city from evil spirits and beings that threaten it. However, Kintoki cannot forget her past, and soon, her past will catch up to her...
Himura Kenshin was a boy orphaned by the murder of his parents. Now he is the Hitokiri Battousai, the most feared and skilled killer in 19th century Japan. In the midst of a blood bath, he meets the love of his life, Tomoe. Will he continue to fight his enemies in a killing rage or will she sheath his bloodstained sword?
Trust and Betrayal is by far better than Kaidohmaru.
It gives you the same feelings Kaidohmaru brings out and is less confusing about it. Since both are in the same era these feelings are even more similar.
If you liked Kai Doh Maru because of samurais, complicated relationship and tragic end, you would surely like Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen. Both anime are quite realistic, showing us difficult times in japanese history. But RK let you enjoy much better animation, wonderful music and interesting character development.
The dark and brooding Ayakashi is composed of three horror stories: the narration of a young woman named Oiwa who was abandoned and betrayed by the one she truly loved, leading her to curse all who stood in her way; a story of two star-crossed lovers – a human and a forgotten god – and their struggle to have a future together; and the tale of an evil and malicious demon who is haunting and murdering a family for unknown purposes. Though different in animation style and tone, each story shares a similar theme: the darkness of the human heart.
In purely style terms, Kai Doh Maru attempts to stand out from the rest with its distinctive art style that recalls Edo period woodblock prints. This style is done even better in the last story told in Ayakashi-Japanese Classic Horror. In Ayakashi, the colors are muted and the backgrounds and characters appear to be painted in water colors, with even the yellowed and wrinkled look of old woodblock prints coming through to the viewer. This isn't to say the stories are really all that similar, but if you have an interest in creative art styles and were intrigued by Kai Doh Maru, check out Ayakashi-Japanese Classic Horror.
After a harrowing period of war, the countries of Valcania, Dulkheim and Igrecias formed a confederation and began a new system of political order, but were met with great resistance. Now, in Valencia's capital, a rebellion is being planned to overthrow the current system of government, and only Lady Silvernale, captain of the guard, has the power to stop it. Along with delegates from Igrecias and heroes alike, she must do whatever it takes to keep the country from being caught in the middle of a brutal war, even if it means fighting those she has sworn to protect...
Both Kai Doh Maru and Growlanser IV are about a woman who is in charge of the royal guard, shows devotion to the kingdom, and tries her best to save those she serves and the folks she's dedicated to.
Christianity has been banned throughout the land by the Tokugawa Shogunate, but a small sect in the hills continues to practice the forbidden religion. Unbeknownst to them, a demonic force seeks to exploit their innocent faith and only one warrior who has been sent to assassinate their leader – Jubei Yagyu – can stop it. What follows is a journey of savagery and terror as Hell itself spills out its evil influence into the world.
If you enjoyed Kai Doh Maru or Ninja Resurrection, there is something wrong with you. Perhaps it is that you are a masochist, or that you are attracted to the worst the animation medium has to offer. In any event, if you enjyed one crapfest you'll surely love the other because the only conceivable reason for actually enjoying either is an addiction to pain. However, if you've seen either of these and are aware of how unholy godawful they are, you have now been warned - yes, somehting else is that bad. In all fairness, Ninja REsurrection is far worse than Kai Doh Maru. If I gave KDM a 0/10 I'd have to gize Ninja Ressurection a -4.
In the Heian period, political instability within the capital is beginning to manifest amidst widespread famine and disease. In order to stem the growing chaos, the Emperor orders Minamoto no Raikou -- a man known for his archery skills -- to reclaim the magatama, a mysterious jewel said to contain the power to save the world. But when Raikou himself becomes ill, it falls to his younger sister, Hikaru, to disguise herself and take her brother's place. In her quest for the magatama, Hikaru finds herself and her companions drawn deeper into a struggle she cannot comprehend...
Set in the same time period, both these anime use the same characters, same setting, but have a very different plot. If you want more of either, I highly recommend watching both of these back to back.