Basilisk

The story takes place in the year 1614. Two ninja clans, Tsubagakure of the Iga and Manjidani of Kouga, battle each other to determine which grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu will become the next shogun. The deadly competition between 10 elite ninja from each clan unleashes a centuries-old hatred that threatens to destroy all hope for peace between them.

Basilisk (2005-2018) is a Japanese seinen anime series produced by GONZO and GDH and broadcast on AT-X, adapted from a manga. Set in 1614 feudal Japan, it follows rival ninja clans, the Tsubagakure of Iga and the Manjidani of Kouga, as ten elite fighters from each side are thrown into a deadly competition. The contest decides which grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu will become the next shogun, and every duel stirs up a centuries-old hatred that threatens any hope of peace between the clans. Characters such as Oboro Iga, Kagerou, and Gennosuke Kouga are voiced by Nana Mizuki, Risa Hayamizu, and Kohsuke Toriumi, and a narrator voiced by Yasushi Miyabayashi frames the story. The series spans two seasons and forty-eight episodes, unfolding as one continuing story in which each battle advances the larger feud. Its tone is brutal and melancholic, with stylized bloodshed, tragic loyalty, and a grim sense of inherited destiny. Fans of Samurai Champloo and Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls will find resonance in its feudal swordplay and dark, character-driven action.

Audiences rate the series positively, with its first season regarded as the stronger of the two.

• Samurai Champlooshared seinen action, ninja clan warfare, historical feudal japan setting
• Hell Girlshared blood feud, elite warrior tournament, historical japanese action with dark tone
• Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girlsshared violent martial arts competition among elite fighters, dark seinen tone

Release Date

2005-04-12

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.8 / 10 (112)

What is Basilisk about?

Two rival ninja clans fight a lethal tournament in 1614 Japan to decide which Tokugawa grandson will become shogun.

What is Basilisk like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Basilisk as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Basilisk violent?

Yes. Ember rates the violence in Basilisk as graphic.

What did critics think of Basilisk?

Audiences rate the series positively, with its first season regarded as the stronger of the two.

Which shows are like Basilisk?

Shows with a similar feel include Samurai Champloo, Hell Girl, and Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls.

How long is Basilisk?

Basilisk: 2 seasons, 48 episodes.

Is Basilisk still running?

No, Basilisk has ended.

Where can I watch Basilisk?

In United States, Basilisk streams on Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Crunchyroll.