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BAMBOO BLADE
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Animation - 8.3 |
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Sound - 8.1 |
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Story - 7.4 |
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Character - 8.6 |
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Value - 8.2 |
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Enjoyment - 8.8 |
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Average - 8.3 |
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andy |
(2009-08-26 19:25:13) 2009-08-26 19:20:39 |
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| Average |
7.0 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| It's surprising the amount of insight Bamboo Blade's silly, gag oriented characters provide on the passion for and the meaning of Kendo as a hobby that's in between a martial art and a sport. It's pretty much unthinkable that a high school girl oriented cast aimed at males would not have any ecchi at all. Bamboo Blade is full of wonderful surprises, but the repetitive comedy and weak action elements do nothing to fill in for its uneventful plot.
An unambitious teacher is the supervisor for the school's Kendo club. Throughout the years, his club has been whittled down to one hard working and devoted girl, Kirino, who loves the sport but is miffed that her teacher is always so lazy. A drunken wager with the teacher's former classmate stakes a full year of free sushi on an exhibition girl's Kendo match, and with this, he is suddenly gung ho about whipping his club into tournament shape, to the delight of Kirino. He pursues ex-members and a new child prodigy, Tamaki, to fill the ranks, and in the process, revives his old flame for the sport.
The most striking element of Bamboo Blade is how realistic and poignant, yet varied the characters' feelings towards Kendo are. Azuma, a member of the home Kendo club, adores it as a part of herself and a passion she's held since youth while Kirino enjoys the commaraderie it builds. Each of the main characters find a unique and believable relationship with Kendo, and even some of the minor characters shed words of wisdom. Many of the action elements also follow in this vein of realism. Even though many of the characters improve their skills, it's far from a "powerup" scenario. For instance, one of the home members has markedly wonderful aggression, but little skill and focus. Instead of taking the typical shounen route that would have transformed her into an unconventionally powerful prodigy, her lack of focus is a crippling handicap throughout, rendering her unable to win any matches. Just as in real life, focus and skill can only be attained through painstaking, and at time frustrating practice.
It's a little too bad that the series revolves around the tiny prodigy, Tamaki. She's a robotic character with her desire to emulate the naive heroism of a power ranger like show as her only displayed emotion throughout most of the series. Though she does undergo trials towards the end that expand her emotional range, her completely inhuman nature for the rest of the series had already sabotaged any possible empathy from the viewer. To a lesser degree, the other characters are similarly charicatures for a majority of their screen time, but genuine for a smidge here and there.
Many of their gags are funny for the first time, but each character has no more than 1 or 2 that repeat, and by the end they become clockwork. Interestingly, the action is often skipped over, either with a simple still screen, or just an announcement of a winner with no visuals at all. The tantalizing bit of Kendo we see animated ranges from excessive still screen usage to beautiful and accurate animation that captures the explosive, almost spastic nature of the matches. Still, even when the matches are just glanced over, we get the primary reward we desire in the reaction of the characters. Their genuine passion for the sport makes me feel their elation when they win, and their heartbreak or frustration when they lose.
Bamboo Blade is certainly far from a generic, power up sports Anime, but that novelty alone doesn't make it compelling. It's a drag to sit through at times, but the unmatched insight into Kendo, or perhaps competitive sports in general is worth wading through the other junk.
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| Average |
7.8 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| To start off, I never saw something like Bamboo Blade before. That's not meant positively or negatively, but I just never seen an anime like this before. However, it proved to be quite compelling.
While the anime was simply seeing girls whack each other with kendo sticks and sparring, this was never about appealing via ecchi or fanservice, although on the most part most of the characters were cute. It wasn't entirely an action either. However, this school life anime was good.
While the plot might appear to be simple at first sight it works. It is seemingly original from what I have watched. Its something new to add on your anime list if you wanted a variety. This anime isn't standout-ish, and if you wanted to watch a great, borderline revolutionary anime, this might not be the one. However, if you wanted to be sure to something that was "good", I think this is an overall safe pick.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Bamboo blade chronicles the story of a high school kendo club as it encounters the everyday dealings of life, love and kendo. The series is surprisingly deep with well fleshed characters and a strong story that is a joy to watch.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.5 |
| Animation |
0 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| An anime about high school kendo? What you're probably thinking is the stereotypes and cliches associated with sports animes, like hot blooded and gruesome training that no human--let alone high school girls--could possibly handle, epic showdowns between rivals, and long tournament arcs. These are still important aspects of Bamboo Blade, but not its focus. On the surface it operates like your typical sports anime, but deep within it's actually a slice of life. What happens when you give the Azumanga Daioh cast wooden swords? You get an anime that offers the best of both worlds in the sports and school life genres, adding up to one of the best overall animes to come out in years.
First thing that stands out about Bamboo Blade is how it's able to sow these two genres into one. Sleepovers? Forget about sleeping over each other's houses, we're having training camp! Lunch social functions? A daily routine before matches. Love triangles? A kendo match will let off the tension and steam. While the characters are often fighting in matches or busy refining their skills, they find a way to have fun at the same time and the result is that we get a very healthy chemical balance between having fun and being serious.
It helps that the comedy is actually funny. Perhaps I'm just different from everybody else that watches anime, because I don't find anime comedies funny at all. I'll get the odd laugh here and there, but that's it. Not the case with Bamboo Blade; it had me bursting out laughing at times and it never failed to make me laugh at least once an episode. Whereas most comedies are fueled by watching peeping toms get caught up and uppercutted into the sky, or characters being caught in embarrassing situations, Bamboo Blade relies on its witty dialogue and hilarious writing. It makes great use of irony and like cartoons South Park and Family Guy, does an equally amazing job at poking fun of Samurai movie epics. If I wasn't mistaken, the script was handled by a team of veteran American sitcom writers.
You know what's great about all of this? The comedy isn't even the best part. It is a forgotten art, but having great characters who we can relate with and enjoy watching their development is the pinnacle for making a successful anime. Our main character Tama is the young prodify girl that is super strong in kendo, but has been sheltered from a social life for so long she has a robotic and timid personality. Over time she starts opening up to her new friends and asserts herself as the anime goes along. Herlping her along the way are Kirino, the captain; Saya, the energetic dive in head first member; Miya Miya, the two faced alpha female; Satorin, the clumsy one vulnerable to being taken advantage of; Yuji, her friend even before high school; Eiga, an odd classmate with an acorn shaped head; and Ishida, the instructor for the club.
Tama has a lot of new friends she can count on and develops a strong relationship with each and every one of them. It helps that while Tama is a great character, her classmates are just as equally great. Simple character descriptions don't do them justice; they're as fleshed out as a cast as you'll get, and their chemistry is a prime example of how a group of friends in an anime should be executed.
School life is only half of it though, right? What made the matches so fun to watch was that it was never too epic, but it was epic enough. The anime never made it bigger than it seemed. Destiny was absent in this episode; no storybook miracles are opportunities here, just straight up kendo. No dragged out matches, no extended tournament arcs, and most of all, no trash talking during the middle of matches--a trait that plagues the most popular of shounens.
It's a crime that Bamboo Blade is so criminally underrated. It excels not only in its kendo aspects, but also in its slice of life. It fired on all four cylinders and never slowed down. Well polished, awesome characters, dramatic fights, and hilarious writing, you should do yourself a favour and watch Bamboo Blade.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| What a surprise--I thought I was going to hate this one.
First of all, let me say that there's very little plot in this anime. The stories of each characters are relatively disjointed and simple. But the characters themselves are quite interesting. They seemed to have realistic emotions and personalities (aside from a few obviously exaggerated quirks for humor), so I found myself actually caring about their little struggles.
The value, for me, was a subtle point that was explored at a few points during the anime, but which had a large effect on me. It explores what it's like to be mediocre. The characters (except for Tama) aren't the world champions at Kendo; they're just in it for fun. They have to deal with the fact that they can't possibly be the best in the world--or even above average--when there are people around them (like Tama and Dan) who have some quite impressive credentials. I'm probably overanalyzing, but it did make me re-think my own goals in life.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| First i have to say that's i'm not into sports anime that much, ever since the football anime Captain Tsubasa i probably never bothered to watch any sports anime at all .... enters Bamboo Blade, i was kinda specktical at first since i knew it is about sports ( Kendo that is ), so i decided to watch the first episode then judge it ... and i couldn't stop watching until ep 26 !!!
Here is why :-
-First off, the OP and ED are very lively and catchy, even after 26 eps they never get boring, i never skipped them even once since they actually fit with the mood of the series very much and provide a very good opening and closing for each ep.
-The Art is pretty nice, it is not ground breaking or breath taking but just right, it fits the mood perfectly, the animation quality is quite consistent and the Kendo matchs scenes are well animated, as for the character designs, they are pretty well done and are quite varied at least among the main characters.
-The characters themselves are really very very interesting, every single one of them is very likable and at the same time is not devoid of quirks and problems which makes them even more believable and fun to watch, and the show really shines when those unique characters start interacting with each other, whether they are serious or having fun it is always fun to watch.
-The comdey is spot on, with scattered chibi faces/character moments at the right times and a nice amount of jokes and parodies there is never a boring moment.
-The Kendo part of the series is done very well it actually got me interested in Kendo, unlike Captain Tsubasa where football goes crazy and unrealistic, in Bamboo they stayed faithful to how Kendo is while at the same time using our attachment to the characters, music and animation to keep the matches very intense and exciting to watch, i really appreciate the effort they put in this part, a very good introduction to Kendo indeed.
-It builds up very to the few final episodes and gives them the needed impact, and i have to say it is one of those anime that make you feel fuzzy on the inside and warm ^_^
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Finally i got say this series is recommended for any anime fan how would appreciate a very good comdey/slice of life anime infused with a authentic sports touch.
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Bamboo Blade is really about those awesome characters and how Kendo made them close friends, changed them and the way they view life.
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Go watch it now ^_^
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
6.3 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| To describe this anime simply, it's a school-girl comedy anime that revolves around Kendo. The first time I heard of Bamboo Blade was when I had a blast reading the manga. I found the comedy to be really interesting, so I decided to give this anime a shot. 16 episodes later, I've decided to put this down forever. I enjoyed it for a little bit, but the pacing is too slow to fully utilize its comedic potential.
Bamboo Blade is about 5 high school girls + 2 guys + 1 loser teacher devoted to Kendo. Anime fans who watch Bamboo Blade in the hopes of learning more about Kendo or watching some interesting fight scenes will be very disappointed. With its focus on comedy, Bamboo Blade could easily have been an anime based on any other sport or activity.
Character-wise, Bamboo Blade severely fails. Although the character personalities are somewhat different than typical cliche (the bipolar pretty girl Miya-Miya, for example), the introduction of so many characters really makes it hard to focus on any. I really felt that the Kendo team spirit was lacking, and there wasn't enough bonding or unity that would have made this more enjoyable. Again, however, this is 'comedy' based, so it doesn't matter.
So, is this comedy anime successful? Frankly, not really. For those who seek highly engaging comedy, such as FMP or cutesy comedy such as Azumanga Daioh, there's nothing to be found here. Basically, Bamboo Blade's pacing is too slow, too drawn out, and not really that interesting. Aside from Miya-Miya's character, most of the gags have been done before. As a result, Bamboo Blade is a good anime for those not too demanding, as those of us who know how great anime comedy can be will not really find enjoyment in this.
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2 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| This is easily one of the most 'instantly' adorable animes that has recently come out. The name may be confusing however to some anime lovers - since it almost sounds like a samurai film. But I have never been as happy in making such a mistake as this one.
While I usually prefer darker and more serious genres, and avoid cutesy anime as much as I can... this was clearly an exception. The adorable characters in this anime is what shines most - but also, its storyline about Kendo, and a general moral about winning and losing - is also what may captivate any type of audience.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| This light-hearted high school kendo anime combines the intensity of bamboo battles with the atmosphere of a high school comedy, what more can we get?
The animation is very good and consistent. Their SD chibi style is quite appropriate, and their battle sequences do bring in some of the intensity that was lacking in this light-hearted anime.
The seiyuu is good, with a decent cast, and personally, Kuwashima Hoko did a grab job doing the dual personality that Miya-Miya has, even though she is just a supporting cast.
The story is both good in the sense that it is brings a fresh look to the usual kendo anime, but at the same time, you have to wonder that their parodies are a bit out of place and the storyline would be much better if it could be slightly more serious.
The characters definitely could be improved. In all 26 episodes, there isn't a main focus on who is the protaganist. It's probably Kawazoe Tamaki, but her charater development was not enough to elevate her in that role. The good thing is that each major character gets their share of screen time, but it seems that there is no focus as to who is leading in this anime series.
Overall it is a very entertaining anime to watch. It's funny, light hearted and has its shares of actions.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Pakxenon |
(2008-04-13 00:35:47) 2008-04-13 00:29:21 |
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Nothing much to say except: full of spunky characters, great fights, awesome running gags, nice animation, sweet atmosphere, and overall just a really good show about Kendo. Starts off a little slow, but gets better as you watch more of it. All around decent in every area but very fun to watch. If you love quirky characters, Kendo/sports, and general good stuff, Bamboo Blade doesn't miss a beat. Definitely recommended.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| I didnt expect much of Bamboo Blade. When i read it was about kendo i imagined some stupid kids to fight until they reach their goal: the national tournament. Thats what todays sports anime are about.
But Bamboo Blade is different. It has a fine way of comedy and the best set of characters i have seen for a while. My fav character is Miyako. Her character is really original and very funny. You should simply watch this anime because of her.
The anmation is not stunning nor is it a downer. It suits the plot and the feeling around it very good. The fighting scenes are cool though they are not too variedly.
The opener is very catchy and the shouts during the fights really gets you sucked into the situation. I really love when tama fights and she always shouts: MEN! I always feel like i just won that bout.
What i mentioned above also goes for Bamboo Blade. Kids who want to reach their goal in kendo. And that is the National Tournament!!! But they are not as obsessed as other kids in anime. They dont travel 2000 miles through the us or do snake shots. It is a realistic sports anime with a touch of school rumble (first season) comedy. Overall i ahve been enjoying Bamboo Blade a lot and i cant wait to see how it will go on.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Initially this series caught my eye with the name "Bamboo Blade" as I love anything to do with swords, especially Japanese swords. Then I found out it was just a comedy/school life/sports anime. I like some comedy/school life anime, but I wanted more of a serious action sword anime. I decided to check Bamboo Blade out anyways. I sure am glad I did decide to check it out! With the great comedic story, some awesome characters with great personalities, I became hooked. I can't wait to see more of this anime, as its one of my favorite new anime of the season. Tama-chan kicks ass!
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0 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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go_raiden |
(2007-11-16 23:21:15) 2007-11-16 23:15:47 |
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Bamboo Sword is one of the surprising animes of the 2007 season. At first I thought to myself, an anime about kendo, it's probably not going to be that interesting. But after watching 7 episodes I find myself enjoying it very much and looking forward to more!
The visuals and character designs are top notch for modern anime. And each girl has their own distinctive personality which really adds to the interaction of the characters.
The story begins when Kojirou sensei accepts a bet to start a female kendo team to compete with his sempai. If he wins, he will get to eat sushi free for one year. It's a silly premise but I think he wants to compete with the opposing kendo sensei as much as get the free food. The coach is kind of lazy, very poor, and a bit selfish but I suppose his flakiness adds to the humor of the show.
So far we have met 4 girls on the team.
Kirini, the blond girl, is a cheerful energetic girl that is the captain of the kendo club.
Nakata and Eiga soon join the club. These are boys so at first the sensei doesn't want them to join, but it turns out that Eiga's girlfriend will soon join the club because of him. Her name is Miyazaki. She is a girl that is outwardly smiling, but hides a dark side to her personality.
When Kojirou and Kirini decide to go out recruiting new members they run into a mysterious girl named Kawazoe Tamaki. She suddenly saves them when many balls along with the vice principal fall out of the sky. From this they can see that she has a special talent for kendo. However she refuses their invitation saying that kendo does not interest her.
Although Tamaki, often called by her friends Tama-chan, is small in stature she has exceptional kendo skills because she has been trained from a young age in her family's own kendo dojo. She tends to be a quiet girl but she has a strong sense of justice. She likes to watch an anime that resembles power rangers with swords called Super Sword Squad Blade Braver.
The reason Tamaki finally agrees to join the club is that she sees Tomoya, bullying the new 1st year kendo club members. Tomoya is portrayed as a delinquent who likes to vent his anger by beating on weaker people. Nobody has dared to stand up to Tomoya before, not even the captain, because he has been stronger than the other kendo members. Tamaki says that she will join to fight for justice. She beats Tomoya convincingly, knocking out the sadistic bully.
The other Kendo Club members convince Tama chan to stay since she is the only one strong enough to stand up to the bully if he ever decides to return again. She decides that it is her duty as an ally of justice to remain with the Kendo club.
The 4th female member of the Kendo club is Sayaka. This girl is definitely flaky but she is tall and has good athletic ability. She has often quit the kendo club before for various reasons but she always ends up coming back.
The characters interactions is quite funny and it is interesting to see how they get along together. Plus the 5th girl has not appeared yet so this anime is just starting to get even better. I would recommend you check out this anime if you like sports anime in general. So far Bamboo Sword shows the fun side of competition and making friends in the process!
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6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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