Ayakashi review

Alternate Titles: Ayakashi ~ Japanese Classic Horror

Original Japanese Release Date: January 12th, 2006

Episode Length/Run-time: 11 Episodes

Summary:

This anime presents three classic Japanese horror stories. Yotsuya Kaidan, the story of a wife seeking vengeance against her husbands betrayal. Tenshu Monogatari, the story of of forbidden love between a human and a beautiful female demon princess.  Finally, Bakeneko, the story of a medicine seller that exercises the spirit of an angry cat spirit.

Review:

Ayakashi is a unique anime not only because it tells three very unique and interesting stories but also because each of these stories have different directors with completely different art styles.  The styles vary from more mature and realistic looking to a Gankutsuou level of bizarre colors and designs.

The anime has something for everyone.  The kabuki play Yotsuya Kaidan, which is certainly the most horroresque of the three tales, takes periodic breaks to fill you in on the tragic history of the play in real life which helps to lend some perspective on what you are watching.  Many of the actors that performed the play in real life Japan have either fallen ill or died during the production of the play.  For this reason, the play has been banned in Japan from being performed.   The darker colors of the play and the violent images help to weave what is really an excellent ghost story.   The problem with this one is that will deter some as the story is a little slow, especially compared to the other three.

The second story Tenshu Monogatari, will probably be the story that appeals most widely to people.  This is because not only is the art style very appealing and more used to what anime looked like at the time this show was released but the story contains a very interesting romance between a falconer and a beautiful demon princess.  The show also contains  a wealth of action and drama as the villagers invade the castle of the demon spirits, trying to kill them and free the citizens of the fear in which they life.  The falconer fights to protect his love against his own people.

The final story is more favorite of the three and was so popular that it spun off another series known as “Mononoke”.  This story directed by Kenji Nakamura (Mononoke, Trapeze) is about a medicine seller who is also a skilled exorcist.  He comes into the estate of a wealthy family and exercises a very pissed off cat spirit, which by the way is about the size of the cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro, but much less friendly.  This story arc in the series has very unique coloration and character designs that the viewer will likely either love or hate.  Much like Gankutsuou, it really does have an impact on the impressions that the viewer has of the overall show.

Overall, this is a very interesting series and I would recommend it to most audiences.  I’ve shown it in several anime clubs and it is generally always well received.

[starrater]