ANI-MOVIES, *Fuse: Memoirs Of The Hunter Girl

One of the most adapted Japanese stories to inspire anime is Hakkenden, whether its hit titles like Dragonball and Inu-Yasha, or direct adaptations like The Legend Of The Dog Warriors OVA, the supernatural saga of Takizawa Bakin's novel. Fuse: Memoirs Of The Hunter Girl was a full-length feature by TMS Entertainment which most American animation fans night know better for working on Batman: The Animated Series and Cybersix, which despite premiering in Japan in 2012 only recently getting an English-subtitled release.

Set in mid 19th Century, Hamaji is a girl growing up in the Japanese mountains whose makes a living as a hunter. Growing up with her grandfather, her paternal elder recently departed, leaving her alone, but she gets a letter from her estranged brother Dousetsu, a samurai-wannabe in Edo who asks her to come live with her. The captiol city has been infiltrated by creatures called fuse, which are the descendents of a princess that "mated" with her pet dog, and all have the power to appear as humans while turning into canine-hybrids that eat people's souls. Dousetsu and Hamaji set out to find one of the last fuse in town, which is revealed to be the local head courtesean. Hamaji learns that the kabuki actor Shino is the last of the remaining fuse who is on a vendetta against the current shogun, who set out to erradicate all the fuse as they might have claims to the throne. The tomboyish hunter girl ends up falling for Shino, so Hamaji has to try and stop his rampage of revenge before their destructive feud causes her new friends in Edo to perish.

TMS Entertainment gave this production a real seasoned effort, with unusual character designs, but breathtaking landscapes and background. The story moves along fine, while being chronicled by the grandaughter of the original Hakkenden's author as a friend of Hajami witnessing her whole romantic adventure. It's an enjoyable watch where you enjoy the struggle the characters go through, while the visionary animation will sink you in to an alternate history fantasy.