Basilisk: The Kōga Ninja Scrolls

Basilisk Kōga Ninpō Chō or Basilisk: The Kōga Ninja Scrolls is a Japanese anime based on the manga bearing the same name. For neophytes, a manga is a printed cartoon, i.e. the Japanese version of Western comics. Contrarily to North American comics, the manga genre is more rooted in arts and has a higher cultural standing in Japan much like the bande dessinée is valued in France. The anime is simply the animated version for TV. Japanese anime is often coined as Japanime. Most Otaku, i.e. aficionados of Japanese manga and anime, tend to prefer the manga, probably out of some degree of pedantry. I, for one, really enjoy and recommend the anime, be it just for the beautifully crafted and truly immersive music that accompanies the animated version.

Basilisk, the manga was written by Masaki Segawa and published in 2003. The manga itself is based on the novel The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaro Yamada in 1958. The anime, produced in 2005, is relatively recent considering the three to four years' delay for Japanese artworks to impact the rest of the world.

Now that I've given you some background, let's indulge in this rare delicacy that is Basilisk!

Basilisk stands out as a particularly violent anime, depicting a cruel time and world. It is overtly gore, sensual, and delicate at the same time. Ruthlessness sublimed to an art form. Not that I'm taking an easy ride on the Japanese stereotype for cruelty and war. Far from that, I'm talking about the finer details. The fall of sakura (cherry) leaves in the opening scene for instance gives you a perfect insight of the Japanese eye for beauty. The images, whether dark or enlivening, and the symbolic turn of sequences marvellously illustrate Japanese Aesthetics. The anime is also greatly enriched with constant references to Japanese history and culture.

The story is set in 17th century mystical Japan. In a nutshell, it is about two Ninja Clans pitted against each other in a bitter blood feud as a result of schemes for power being played out from afar by an indifferent and calculating ruling class. The aim of the game for each Clan is to eliminate ten ninjas belonging to the opposite faction, listed on a scroll. The first Clan to eliminate its ten targets secures the Shogun's favour. For the Shogun, this exercise serves to decide which of his two grandsons will be heir to the throne, without spilling royal blood or risking civil war. The Ninjas are outcasts gifted with extraordinary powers. By having the two Clans serve death to each other, the Shogun also reduces their threat potential. Intertwined with the plot is a powerful, romantic love story of the likes you'll rarely come across. A twisted tale of ill-fated lovers told in tears of blood.


The way Basilisk's plot unfolds is rather unique to say the least. This fast-paced anime lasts only 24 episodes, lavishly dealing out death to its characters. Herein lies the beauty and uniqueness. As soon as you get attached to a protagonist, the latter gets killed and the story goes on. Bearing in mind the historical background against which the plot is set, it's a powerful metaphor for the unrelenting course of History - stopping for no one.


Without any further ado, here is the first episode for your viewing pleasure:
(IMPORTANT: Don't miss the little bit after the closing credits, that's where the real story starts!)

*Basilisk Episode 1 - English subs*

Below are some historical events related to Basilisk's plot.

Both Iga-ryū ("the Iga School") and Kōga-ryū were historical schools of ninjutsu, i.e. dealing with the stealth Ninja arts of warfare and espionage.

• 1579: Oda Nobukatsu (son of Oda Nobunaga) attacked Iga Province and was beaten.
• 1581: Oda Nobunaga attacked and destroyed Iga Province
• 1582: Incident at Honnōji - Oda Nobunaga died.
• 1603: Edo period started. Tokugawa Ieyasu re-established the shogunate (third and last in Japan's history) and became the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
• 1605: Tokugawa Hidetada became the second shogun.
• 1614: Winter Campaign of the Siege of Osaka - Tokugawa attacked Toyotomi Hideyori.
• 1615: Summer Campaign of the Siege of Osaka - Toyotomi clan perished.
• 1616: Tokugawa Ieyasu died.
• 1623: Tokugawa Iemitsu became the third shogun.

It is also worth mentioning that the powerful opening theme Kouga Ninpou Chou is the work of Onmyouza.