THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE IS SUPPORTED BY: 

Back to the review page

SUMMARY

It is the late 1800's, the twilight of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  In Kyoto, Choshu rebels are banding together, with plans to overthrow the government. They feel that the Shogun is corrupt, and they wish to stop the oppression of the citizens. If they succeed, they will bring about the Meji Restoration.

Enter Tetsu, a victim of violence. After seeing his family killed, he decides to become a member of the Shinsengumi, an elite part of the Shogun's army. He believes that by joining the Shinsengumi, he can learn how to become a master swordsman, and get revenge against those who kill the innocent.  This puts him in direct conflict with Hijikata, vice commander of the Shinsengumi, who knows that the boy's heart is too pure to learn the sword of vengeance.

That doesn't keep Tetsu from trying.  After wearing them down, the Shinsengumi allow him to become a member, but not as a warrior.  He is a page, a servant for Hijikata, and not a very good one at that.  As he works, he meets the strange and interesting assortment of characters who lead this "elite" arm of the Shogunate.

As the Shinsengumi investigate the activities of the Chosu rebels, Tetsu attempts to assist in the investigation, and learns a horrific lesson.

Now Tetsu must make a choice; shed his humanity and become a demon of the Shogunate, or fulfill the wishes of his father and become a Peacemaker!

DVD VISION TEST

VIDEO: The DVD quality is decent. There were no color bleeds, pixels or digital garbage.  The image was sharp, but there is some edge enhancement.

AUDIO: Well done for both the English 5.1 and Japanese Dolby 2.0 tracks. The English track has a fuller sound, but the Japanese language track is louder in volume.  On both versions, the sound is crisp and rich, full of surround sound during the action elements.  

EDITS: Clean open and close animation with English titles have been used.  No other edits have been made.

EXTRAS: Clean open and close, a montage of character sketches, and a fold out production insert are your extras for today.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: "Peacemaker" is based off of the popular manga by Nanae Chrono.  There is a decent blend of drama and comedy, neither one overpowering the other.  Each character has a strong individual presence, so no one blends into the background.

Those of you who prefer "historical accuracy" may find that a few liberties were taken with the time line.

ACTING: It's really tough to decide which is the best one to listen to.  Both Luci Christian and Yumiko Kobayashi are excellent as the bratty yet honorable Tetsu.  Both actresses have the same level of intensity and during the emotional scenes, they can really tug on the ole heart strings.

For the DVJ team, we prefer the English dub.  It may be biased, but we are all big fans of Chris Patton, Vic Mignogna, Greg Ayers, John Swasey, Jason Douglas, and of course Monica Rial, who makes a really cute pig.  This cast of talented actors and actresses really helped even non-anime fans get into this series.  However, you owe it to yourself to experience the Japanese cast.  They are just as awesome, and as intense as the English cast.  Either way, you won't be disappointed.

FAN SERVICE: There is also absolutely no nudity or panties in a show like this.

CONCLUSION

Having enjoyed the TV series, movies, and the breathtaking OVA's, the end of Rurouni Kenshin was a sad day for me.  How on earth was I going to find a suitable replacement?  Well, I have good news.  ADV's release of "Peacemaker" has filled that hole in my heart.

This story takes place right before the Meji Restoration.  At this time, the Shogun has become aware of several rebel groups, most noticeably the Choshu faction.  A collection of "farm boy" samurai, these men are assembling in Kyoto to sow the seeds of revolution.  The Shinsengumi, a cross between policemen and special forces, watch their activities with great interest.

With any group, there are extremists, and that is where our little Tetsu comes in.  His parents, killed by the mysterious Yoshida, is now hell bent for vengeance against him.  By joining the Shinsengumi, Tetsu thinks he can avenge their senseless deaths. After making an impression on the leaders of the Shinsengumi, they allow him to join.  There he meets the beautiful Soji Okita, a young man with a wicked sword, and playful attitude.  He encounters squad leaders Sanosuke Harada and Shinpachi Nagakura, a pair of nutcases, who spend more time shooting verbal barbs at each other than fighting.  He also meets master swordsman Hajime Saito, a peaceful man who has a strong connection to the spiritual world.

Wait a minute.  Hajime Saito, a nice guy?  The total bad ass from Kenshi who killed hundreds of men is some sort of spiritual nut?  Well yes.  Unlike Kenshin, where the Shinsengumi are portrayed as the evil, oppressive arm of the Shgounate, in "Peacemaker" they are good men who must do bad things to keep the peace.  This lesson is pounded in to Tetsu, and the audience, over and over again.  Yes, the Shinsengumi did horrible things, but they weren't necessarily evil.  They did what they had to because of the rebels.  Course, if it hadn't been for the Choshu and other rebel groups, Japan would be a very different place.  In a way, "Peacemaker" the PC version of history.

The writing staff does an excellent job at keeping you interested in the story of Tetsu and his quest for vengeance.  Like most anti-war series, they disguise it as an action/adventure tale.  Thanks to Director Tomohiro Hirata, he keeps the action scenes brutal, and the periods of exposition interesting enough to get the writers message across.  It has a very similar vibe to "Rurouni Kenshin", which is part of the reason I like it so much.

Speaking of brutal action, the violence is a little more intense than in "Rurouni Kenshin".  Because Kenshin used a reverse blade sword, none of his opponents died.  In "Peacemaker" you will see fountains of blood and see limbs dismembered.  It's not gratuitous, it's there to illustrate to Tetsu how the life of a Shinsengumi is full of pain and death.  Just be careful when you let your under fifteen anime fans watch.

While the animation may not be as detailed as other anime titles, it's still a joy to watch.  Anytime Gonzo Digimation is part of the animation process, you have a winner.  The blend of CG and traditional animation looks great. The characters move with fluid motion, and the trademark Gonzo "shatterwave" look is there in every fight. The colors are perfect, and there are no blemishes or errors.

The acting is sublime, on both ends of the acting spectrum.  Both casts are equal in their readings, matching each other in intensity and spirit.  

I have to say that the English cast is the preferred choice at DVJ.  I almost didn't recognize Luci Christian as Tetsu.  It's a long way from the higher pitched Chidori in "Full Metal Panic".  In episode three, she really puts her acting abilities to good use.  I truly believed that the character of Tetsu was devastated by the horror he witnessed at the hands of Soji Okita, and Luci's crying sounded genuine.

I give Chris Patton some props for having to do two voices, his formal voice, and his southern drawl.  Having talked with him in a social setting, I never would have guessed that he can talk like some hick farm boy.  Greg Ayers and Jason Douglas really play off each other well, and Monica Rial is so cute as Saizo, a pig with an attitude.

"Peacemaker Kurogane" is one dynamite anime title for the 21st century. The writing, the acting, and even the animation, will have you riveted to your seat from the get go.  This is one series that must be a part of your DVD collection.  At last, Kenshin has a worthy companion.

Return to Top

Back to the Review Page