Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto

The shogunate era is coming to an end with the rifle and gunpowder. Though many samurai thought their world would endure another thousand years with the sword, it became unlikely through America's and Britains brash involvement of introducing the gun. Faced with oblivion, the wandering Samurai and odd Ronin must face their new great enemy and threat head on. Yet within this turmoil of power and greed, a mysterious Ronin Akizuki Yojiro is on the hunt for a dreaded cursed head which he must destroy at all costs, or have the peaceful lands of japan fall into chaos. Using his sword as a guide with a talisman on the hilt, it points in the direction to what he is seeking. His eyes are also a dead giveaway which glow, yet his hidden powers come from the head itself. Through his ordeals he faces other opponents who hide in the dark shadows to make sure he does not succeed. But for his ambitious treks, he falls in the middle of a travelling theatre group who puts on plays for the public to hear of the rash shortcomings of the palaces scandals. The leader of this troupe Yuyama Kakunojo puts herself in grave danger with each production her script writer (Ibaragi Sotetsu) develops. With this in mind, Akizuki now keeps his new found friends safe at the same time he is on the lookout for the fabled head. Thrust into the scenes are other members who had faced such past turmoils with Yuyama to call it revenge and thus all are involved in one way or another. But to defeat a new shadow Akizuki must find the head in order for the palace to fall once and for all. If not, then the western powers who use the head to gain monetary riches will win. I like the fact that this series was taken place during the near ending of the Edo period. To see samurai's use their swords with accuracy, poise, and pride. It is not often to see such a good show use the theatre as well to mix in with the actual story line. The music, battles, and the mind bending twists and turns will give the audience something to really hold onto. I found this a refreshing anime, great characters, excellent fights, and how the characters use the theatre to tell their story which puts their own lives in mortal danger from conniving wolves lurking in the dark. Recommended to those fifteen and over, not for those under that age for violence, and some cursing.