Basilisk

📖 SYNOPSIS

Basilisk: The Kōga Ninja Scrolls is a Japanese anime series based on the 1958 novel The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaro Yamada, adapted into a manga by Masaki Segawa from 2003 to 2004. The anime, produced by Gonzo and directed by Fumitomo Kizaki, premiered in Japan on April 12, 2005, and ran for 24 episodes until September 21, 2005, airing on networks like TV Saitama and Chiba TV. It was licensed for English release by Funimation, with DVD releases between 2006 and 2007 and Blu-ray editions in 2009 and 2015. The story is set in 1614 during Japan’s Azuchi-Momoyama period, the story follows two rival ninja clans, the Kouga and Iga, locked in a centuries-old feud. A ceasefire brokered by Hattori Hanzō ends when Tokugawa Ieyasu orders each clan to send ten elite ninjas to fight to the death, determining which of his grandsons will become the next shogun. The winning clan gains favor for a thousand years. At the heart of the conflict are Gennosuke Kouga and Oboro Iga, betrothed heirs whose love is tested by their clans’ bloody battle. The anime blends historical drama, intense action, and supernatural ninja abilities with a tragic romance reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, exploring themes of loyalty, hatred, and sacrifice.