May we never get too old for Shounen Anime.Rikuo Nura seems like an normal middle school student. After school, he hangs out with his friends in their special club a club dedicated to finding Yokai, Japanese Demons. Unknown to them, Rikuo is destined to be the head of the Nura Clan, and lead the night parade of a thousand demons. Though he vehemently denies his demon blood at first, pressure from his clans enemies push Rikuo to make a decision.
It's hard to judge a Shounen Anime, because the earliest installments don't usually reflect the series's full potential. These early episodes have simple plots somehow Rikuo's friends are being threatened by demons, and he miraculously transforms into his night form to save them right in the nick of time. None of his enemies try attacking at dawn after he's revered back to his human form. A cynical viewer might find it boring, but fans of the less flashy shounen series might appreciate the slow start. Almost reminds me of Rurouni Kenshin, where the bumbling wanderer Himura would "transform" into a skilled swordsman to save everyone at the end of each episode.
What's refreshing is Rikuo's character, he's a nice, ordinary boy (if you don't count the demon blood). He doesn't have a Punk attitude like Yusuke (Yu Yu Hakusho) or Ichigo (Bleach), and he's not dumb as a box of rocks like Goku (Dragonball) or Luffy (One Piece). His problem is somewhat relateable, "Are you willing to shoulder a lifelong responsibility? Because the alternative is watching the system fall apart without you?" And he behaves in a believable way.
What doesn't help are most of his friends from school: the two boys and two girls who add almost nothing every episode, except to need rescuing. The leader of the club, Kiyotsugu, is the most annoying character in the series. He goes on and on about Yokai like a broken record.
His real allies do help carry the series:
A few demons from the Nura Clan follow Rikuo around, an ice apparition Yukionna, and an demonic monk Aotabo.
A talented omniyoji, Yura Keikain, joins the Yokai Club in the third episode. Yura usually acts like the cliche' emotionless girl, but she does get into difficult situations that allow her to express herself, and that's when she becomes likable, instead of being a clone of Yuki Nagato (or Rei Ayanami).
Kana Ienaga is Rikuo's would-be girlfriend, who had feelings for Rikuo, but is in love with his demonic half, and like Lois Lane before her, she can't seem to put it together.
Overall, it's a good start for a shounen series. We get a good feel for the characters, and we get to see Rikuo's first steps towards becoming leader of the Nura Clan, and after this, it looks like world is going to start opening up. What keeps it from being perfect are:
#1. Rikuo's human friends are useless. Especially, Kiyotsugu, who is useless and annoying.
#2. There's no tension Rikuo's demon half usually wins without a problem.
#3. Hardly any special features. I like commentary tracks, and a cultural guide would have been nice. (Some people don't know what a omniyoji is.)
If you're curious, I think it's worth the time. It's a really great series to watch on TV, or watch Steaming. I don't know where the series is going, so I can't recommend an automatic Buy. But, it does look great on Bluray, so use your best judgement. I rate it a 4-out-of-5 Stars.
When this series first released in Japan in the summer of 2010 I knew I wanted to try it out, but decided ahead of time that I'd rather see it dubbed. So finally, 3 years later, it is released here in the U.S. dubbed! It was well worth the wait for me.
What you get with this box set is not much to say the least. As far as extras go all you receive is the creditless opening and ending themes, color production art and a trailer for Viz Media's Neon Alley service (still more extras than InuYasha The Final Act got though). The case is the usual Blu-ray disc casing with the cheap recyclable packaging. The only insert that it came with was an advertisement for Neon Alley (all Viz releases contain this now.) As far as the cover art goes I'm personally not a fan of it. I wanted something with more action and characters on it, but it'll do until the series /hopefully/ gets a full set release, if it does that is. The disc art looks amazing though. It's so simple, but the illustrations of night Rikuo and Tsurara look great with the pink and blue colors behind them. For the quality of the Blu-ray release it is in the regular 1080i quality and looks fantastic. The colors look vibrant and very high quality on my flatscreen.
The dub voice actors and voice actresses all fit pretty well I think. I specifically feel that Rikuo (night & human) got a perfect voice actor for him. I would have liked his yokai side to sound a little bit older and darker/more mysterious though, but it definitely does fit and I can live with it. Other notable voice actors in this dub are Kana and Tsurara's voice actresses. Kana specifically sounds perfect for her character, and unlike most shonen anime series, her voice is not whiny and annoying which is really a plus. All of the other voices work good too though, none I've heard so far are unfitting.
Even though this set does not contain many extras or added material it was still worth the $35 dollars that I paid for it. If you're hesitant to spend $30-$40 on a completely new series then you can head over to Viz Media's official YouTube and view a 2 minute clip of the dub for yourself. Hulu (U.S. citizens only) can view both seasons 1 and 2 of this series for free with English subtitles on there. Viz Media's new Neon Alley PS3 subscription service also broadcasts this series first and second season dubbed as well, if you have a PS3 and would be interested in the 1 week trial they've been giving out.
Overallthe voices fit, dub is good, nice illustrations on the discs and the quality on the Blu-rays are absolutely amazing.
Buy Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Set 1 (2013) Now
Kind of reminds me of InuYasha. Nura, leads a night league of 100 demons. This first 3 disk set just gets everyone acquainted with the characters, and some of their abilities, but this is another nice series from Viz Media. Great job guys! I like it!RDJ
Read Best Reviews of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Set 1 (2013) Here
I've seen a good share of anime's in the past year and I must say this anime is not like the typical anime I have watched. I would say this anime is by far my favorite.This anime has mystery and a little suspense in it. I found myself having a hard time turning it off and couldn't believe how easily I became hooked. Watching the first couple episodes, I wasn't expecting this anime to have any love connections in it but sure enough love is finding it's way in. Fortunately, it is not a love triangle like most anime's end up being (or at least not so far). Even though this anime may contain the typical anime plot, I find it interesting to see what decisions Rikuo Nura decides during the day as a normal Human and as a Yokai at night.
I've already pre-ordered my copy of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan set 2 and can't wait for it's arrival in August! I would recommend this anime.
Want Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Set 1 (2013) Discount?
This anime is different from the average anime's I've purchased in the past. I must say that I absolutely love this anime and can't wait for the second part to come out. This anime has a mix of blood, fighting, mystery and love in it. Each episode seemed to pull me in further and further that it was hard for me to turn it off. I would recommend this anime.Save 38% Off
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