Kaze no Yojimbo runs at a longer 25 episodes, yet feels perfectly placed! Comparative to Cowboy Bebop, the few filler episodes feel purposeful in crafting the world depicted whist adding to George’s insatiable desire to unravel Kimujuku’s corruption. You have series like Anohana or Erased that benefit from a short 12 episode format, while you have longer series like Durarara! that are strangely paced and might ruin the show for some completely. ![]() Pacing can be somewhat of a double-edged sword for anime shows. The pacing of the show for its 25 episode duration. On the other hand, Samekichi Shirogane leads the rival gang, who always acts with a hot head despite his best efforts to act like his counterpart. Shusaku Tanokura, who is the leading mogul for one of the town’s gangs, is perceived as this perfect man who seems to always have a calm head as the world spirals around. Each and every single character is powerfully acted and given unique personalities that lay the groundwork for their individual motivations. At one point, a professor visits from Tokyo, where he points out that Kimujuku translates out to be “THE TOWN OF THE DEMON.” (Sorry, I really like to emphasize the finer details here.) In many ways, this describes not the town itself, but the people who inhabit it. The characterization of the various cast members that create the foundation for the show’s central mystery. Money doesn’t equal brilliance! I’m looking at you Kingdom! Is there a detail purposefully left out that makes you curious of a character’s motivations? Is there a puzzle piece missing that would paint a better picture of Kimujuku and if so, can you find it? There are small things within the show’s small budget that truly adds to the experience of watching Kaze no Yojimbo that big budget anime miss entirely. I think that this opaque choice establishes a creepy and invested atmosphere that asks the viewer to discover the importance of what is placed before them. While some could argue that the vague details in some character designs and background set pieces hinder the experience, I would argue the opposite. To juxtapose different characters into an on screen palette in order to show unending conflict and challenging emotions is something short of genius, especially when it comes to a murder mystery. ![]() The man knows how to work with a small budget to create an engrossing drama that makes use of every frame. The quality of the show based on a largely minimal budget shows the mastery of Date’s craft as an anime director that he would later show at the start of Naruto.
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