Much like many others, I skipped over trying Saraiya Goyou when it first aired because I was put off by the strange art style.  BUT! After trying out other treats like Katanagatari and Kaiba–with their own unique art styles–I realized … Continue reading →
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Alternate Title:  House of Five Leaves Historical, Samurai, Seinen Category:  TV Year:  Apr 15, 2010 – Jul 1, 2010 Studio:  Manglobe Episodes:  12 Licensed!  Funimation Synopsis Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who [...]
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I’m not going to comment directly on the final episode of House of Five Leaves. Instead my intention here is to provide my reaction to the series as a whole (hint: ), and talk about the bigger themes (what does it all mean?). My intention is to remain as spoiler-free as possible. House of Five [...]
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Episode 11 of House of Five Leaves revolves around Yaichi’s past, as was generally expected. Yaichi’s past as Seinoshin is echoed in the latest job, which has a profound effect on Yaichi. Jin, the man who kidnapped Yaichi as a boy, and bears a grudge against him to this day, discovers his new identity, and [...]
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In episode 10 of the House of Five Leaves, Yaichi collapses in despair, while two men close in on his identity. Sachi also decides to leave, and, unfortunately, we get very little information about Otake’s background. Most of this episode saw Yaichi lost in thought. He seems to know that his past is catching up [...]
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Episode 9 of House of Five Leaves begins with the resolution of Matsu’s captivity. Yagi’s assistance becomes troublesome. We also get surprising insight into Masa’s family, and a mysterious stranger starts asking about Yaichi. Masa is successful in rescuing Matsu, but Yagi is revealed to be the new police station chief. Matsu investigates him at [...]
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House of Five Leaves (Saraiya Goyou) episode 8 digs into Matsukichi’s character, we are reminded once more of the darkness that permeates society, Masa’s relationship with Yagi troubles Yaichi, and food is eaten. Matsu has shown himself to be an invaluable member of the Five Leaves gang. However he hasn’t revealed much personality, besides an [...]
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Episode 7 of Saraya Goyou (House of Five Leaves) is subtly revealing. As expected from the close of last week’s episode, we do learn more about Yaichi, but what we do learn, only adds more mystery. Instead we get unexpected insight into Masanosuke and Yagi, the older samurai Masa has met a few times. Of [...]
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In episode 6 of House of Five Leaves (Saraiya Goyou), Masanousuke lets his hair down, and Umezou has some trouble with blackmailers. Masa is still recovering from his malnutrition, when the guy from Ume’s old gang unwillingly tips off his blackmailer to the Elder’s location. Seeking the source of the hush money, the blackmailer heads [...]
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In House of Five Leaves episode 5, personal histories return to haunt several people, including Ume. The difficulties of attaining money are shown to be nothing when compared to the intractable problem of running away from your past. Also, sake is extolled as the one thing with which we can become involved that will leave [...]
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Not to be confused with the horror novel, House of Leaves, House of Five Leaves sports a visually distinctive aesthetic that mixes painterly backgrounds with spindly, dark eyed characters. More effective in motion than in stills, the opening trio of episodes are methodically paced, carefully balancing the meandering story with character development [...]
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In episode 4 of Saraiya Goyou: House of Five Leaves Masa attempts to unveil Yaichi’s character, and in so doing irks his patron. The show continues to be a sort of visual poetry, not sumptuous, as a feast, but carefully selected and arranged to display what is minimally necessary for the character study that is [...]
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House of Five Leaves episode 3 continues to develop at its own pace. This truly is a slice of life show, in the meaning I have tried to articulate elsewhere; it conveys the experience of life in old Edo, which is presented as a dark, dispirited place. Meanwhile the deeper plot starts coming into view, [...]
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In the second episode, despite his intentions, Masanosuke gets deeper enmeshed in the affairs of the House of Five Leaves. The principle characters have all been introduced, and some of the gang members seem to have taken a liking to the timid yojimbo. Now that the setting and story has been established, this show seems [...]
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- Saraiya Goyou anime adaption will be produced by Manglobe. Now THIS could be one heck of a series. I'm not too fond of the fact that they are producing an anime based on a manga that is yet to be finished though. I hope Manglobe earn some money off of..
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- Saraiya Goyou, manga by Natsume Ono(Ristorante Paradiso) is getting anime adaption. It is going to air on Noitamina(Fuji) sometime in 2010, possibly after Nodame Cantabile Finale. Here is the amazon link if you are wondering what kind of manga it is:..
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