Samurai 7-
Volume 1- Search for Seven
(MVM Region 2 PAL DVD)
(2005)
review by Blackgloves

Studio GONZO seem to be on the up at the moment. Already, this year we've seen such diverse GONZO anime titles as the charming and sexy "Burst Angels" and the surreal, erotic sci-fi that is "Gantz". Now, hot on both their heels, arrives the first volume of "Samurai 7" -- a series that threatens to top them both with its slick combination of show stopping 2-D & 3-D CG animation and attractive character designs.

The source material guarantees some degree of interest of course. In retrospect, Akira Kurosawa's classic "Seven Samurai" seems such an obvious choice to adapt for anime that it almost feels odd that it hadn't been attempted until now! The science fiction genre is certainly no stranger to Kurosawa's oeuvre, as all fans of George Lucas are doubtless aware -- where would "Star Wars" be without "Hidden Fortress"? -- but the blending of Kurosawa's classic period drama story with the futuristic sci-fi trappings of Japanese anime, turns out to work very well indeed. In fact, "Star Wars" offers a good reference point for the design and look of the show, and its vision of a futuristic society is populated by a similarly incongruous mix of traditional farming communities and all manner of exotic alien forms of life.

The story takes place in the aftermath of a very long war fought between two huge armies. We get a glimpse of it during the opening credits of the first episode: hulking, robotic battle cruisers (of a type all too familiar to long term fans of anime!) are seen clashing ferociously during the final stages of the final battle of a war that leaves a chaotic, lawless world in its devastating wake. Years after this "Warring Age" and the poor, persecuted farming community of Kanna find themselves at the mercy of the now disenfranchised Samurai who became technologically enhanced cyborg warriors called Nobuseri during those far off days, but now use their great power to force the farmers to give up their crops or else lose their lives.

These spectral, machinelike beings are too powerful to be opposed, but the leaders of the impoverished farmers of Kanna decide that they must find a way to fight back against their oppressors. To that end, they come up with a plan to hire a group of Samurai to protect the village from the incessant looting. The task falls to the beautiful Kirara, the village's cherished Mikumari Water Princess; Rikichi, a sensitive, hot-blooded young assistant to Kirara; and Komachi, Kirara's excitable and direct speaking younger sister. The fate of their village depends on this unlikely trio's success.

Character designers, Hideki Hashimoto and Takuhito Kusanagi produce three contrasting and likeable creations in these three leads. Kirara is the traditional, anime doe-eyed innocent beauty, leading her partners on their mission with the aid of her water-filled pendulum which, as well as detecting water for her village in a kind of mystical divining rod fashion, also happens to feature a unique power to seek out Samurai warriors of great skill and prowess. Her little sister Komachi, meanwhile, is here to supply the series' cute factor. Diminutive in stature and loveable despite her habit of unwittingly cutting peoples' egos down to size on account of an amusing habit of blurting out exactly what's on her mind without thinking, Komachi also gets her own little section at the end of each episode where she summarises the episode's events in her distinctly quirky letters home. The last of the trio, Rikichi, remains something of a blank slate at the moment, but that may be because there are such a great number of outlandish characters in these first four episodes that a relatively normal peasant boy like Rikichi tends to fade into the background.

Not long after leaving their small village, the trio arrive at the dangerous merchant city of Kogakyo and it doesn't take much for them to run into trouble. A small baby is taken hostage by dangerous criminals and only three "people" come forward from the gawking crowd to help: a feminine-looking fledgling Samurai called Katsushiro and a lumbering, mechanised Samurai called Kikuchiya. Unfortunately, though enthusiastic and serious in his intent, Katsushiro lacks training; while Kikuchiya is quite powerful but clumsy and insensitive. It takes a warrior of great skill to resolve the delicate situation, and this person appears in the flamboyant form of Kambie -- a Samurai who fought on the losing side in the great war, but who is eventually persuaded by Kirara to join her and her two colleagues after he easily disperses the criminals and returns the kidnapped child to its parents.

With Kambie in charge of the plans to protect the village of Kanna, it is decided that seven Samurai warriors will be required to ensure success. Unfortunately, conflict is generated by Kambie's reluctance to accept the help of Katsushiro, who worships him, and Kikuchiya who hates him! Kirara, Komachi and Rikichi try to woo the town's unemployed Samurai to join them by offering them meals of rice (from a supply that they've brought with them from the village) but find that most of them are selfish, vain and cruel and certainly not interested in helping a few poor peasants. The gang will have to search out some more eccentric sources in order to find the rest of their protectors! Eventually, they stumble upon Katayama Gorobe -- an ex-Samurai who now uses his amazing projectile-dodging skills in a side-show entertainment act!

The problem of finding the other warriors to join them soon pails into insignificance though, when other dangers in the City begin to make themselves known. The whole place is controlled by an effete merchant class who live in sybaritic splendour in a palace set on a mountain high above the City. When Kirara catches the eye of Lord Ukyo -- the decedent son of the ruthless merchant leader, Maro: Master of Kogokoo, he has her kidnapped and sent to join his garish harem of imprisoned beauties. Kirara's new friends rally to save her, but this gains them powerful new enemies, and they soon find themselves the target for a cavalcade of colourful Samurai assassins sent by Maro to destroy them!

"Samurai 7" gets off to a great start with these first four episodes. The characters are interesting and have dynamic interactions with each-other that promise to develop as the show progresses. The art design on the show is detailed and colourful, while all the characters are designed beautifully with a good deal of attention given to the details of their costumes as well as their physical appearance. The futuristic fantasy setting allows art director, Hiromasa Ogura, to let his imagination roam free and the look of the show is very distinctive, intricate and original. The merchant elite in particular, are given a very strong look, in contrast to the ordinary folk who live in the town beneath them. The opulent majesty of their surroundings are rendered in pleasing, colourful detail. A pleasing mix of action, drama and comedy ensures the show retains the interest of the viewer throughout these first few establishing episodes and sets the scene for what promises to be another essential, regular appointment for the discerning anime fan.