Shigurui

[lagore]

Shigurui


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Discuss individual episodes and first impressions of this anime here; reviews and final impressions should be posted in the Anime Reviews Forum. Post format and full rules can be found here.
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Okay, so... I just watched this and I have no clue what just happened. It had some good points and some bad points but mainly I'm just confused:

Did they ever have that final battle? How did the main guy lose his arm? Did I miss some episodes or something? What happened to the dojo? This show just feels totally unfinished. Ugh! AHHHH!!!

[valondar]

Originally Posted by lagore

This show just feels totally unfinished.

It is.

Basically Shigurui is based on an manga... and, hey, do you see where this is going? Yup, they didn't include the actual ending. That's definitely one of Shigurui's biggest flaws (though at least they settled things up with Kogan, IIRC).

[lagore]

GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!

Why do they do that!? Why not just wait to make an anime? Guh!

[valondar]

One could say the same of Berserk or Claymore and so on and on. It's an all too frequent flaw, frankly.

[OverLord01]

Yep totally agree on what happened about the show, it is good but short. The same for Berserk which happened to it.

[Lyzl]

Sad to know it's ending is a flop.

However, after just finished episode 3, I think it'll still probably get a high mark from me. It's not really... pleasurable to watch, but it's just so intense and visceral that it's feels like a worthwhile watch. I feel like I can't peel my eyes away.

[valondar]

The ending isn't that bad. As I opined in my review it does tie up some thematic threads. It's that pesky plot it doesn't quite shut down. -_-

As far as the watching experience goes, the phrase that stuck in my mind after watching it was that it was, uh, worthwhile to endure. 'Enjoy' is not exactly a word I'd use to describe Shigurui, though it is a completely unforgettable anime and a stylistic marvel.

[lagore]

Naw, it's... it's a pretty bad series. In my opinion. Good style, but very slow, and... I dunno...

It rubbed me the wrong way.

[valondar]

Shigurui is definitely one of those love or loathe it affairs (heavy emphasis on both love and loathe, i'faith). I've seen it described as one of the best anime ever made if not the best, and, well, also as one of the worst. It's just not a title that leaves people feeling neutrally.

I come down somewhere on the 'yes, good, even great at what it sets out to do, but not amazing' line. And yeah, if you want a heavily pretentious and humourless satire of the samurai era used as a clothesline for intensely, savagely graphic violence, served up with great panache and style... well, you're not that common but you'll appreciate what Shigurui has to offer. -_-

[Lyzl]

Originally Posted by valondar

The ending isn't that bad. As I opined in my review it does tie up some thematic threads. It's that pesky plot it doesn't quite shut down. -_-

As far as the watching experience goes, the phrase that stuck in my mind after watching it was that it was, uh, worthwhile to endure. 'Enjoy' is not exactly a word I'd use to describe Shigurui, though it is a completely unforgettable anime and a stylistic marvel.

I think I agree with this. I'm not enjoying it, but I like enduring it. I feel like there is something new and interesting there that is completely worth the watch. I haven't been so shocked with a different style like this since watching Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet by David Lynch. (Which, as a side note, are extraordinary movies, watch if you haven't done so)

Even Kaiba and Pulp Fiction, both of which I've watched somewhat recently, don't really come close to a freakishly unique style.