“Star-crossed ninja heirs Gennosuke and Oboro lead rival clans in a deadly battle for shogunate favor.”
Basilisk
バジリスク 甲賀忍法帖
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AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Star-crossed ninja heirs Gennosuke and Oboro lead rival clans in a deadly battle for shogunate favor.
For centuries, the Iga and Kouga ninja clans have engaged in a bitter war. But when a ceasefire is ordered by the powerful warlord Ieyasu Tokugawa, the two clans are forced to put down their arms. Years later, Gennosuke Kouga, heir of the Kouga clan, and Oboro Iga, heir of the Iga clan, have fallen in love. Through marriage, both heirs aim to bring peace to the clans. But their hopes are dashed when flames of rivalry between their clans are reignited, and they are dragged into another war. Ieyasu's two grandsons have both claimed to be the next heir to the shogunate. To resolve this dispute, both the Kouga and Iga are ordered to send their 10 best warriors to fight in a bloody battle royale, with each clan representing one of the potential shogunate heirs. Two scrolls with the names of the fighters are given and are to be marked in blood upon the given fighter's death. The prize for winning is the favor of the Tokugawa shogunate for a thousand years. Torn between their love for each other and duty to their clans, Gennosuke and Oboro must ultimately decide the fate of their clans.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 66 sampled reviews
What 66 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.26 · split reception
5.7 pts
Recommenders 8.6 · others 2.9
↓ 0.52
Running avg · Jun 2007 → Jun 2025
- 10 “this anime was great i enjoyed it...its lik a romeo n Juliet..i cried at the end of the story that was very sad wat happened to the girl..i didnt think i would lik this anime but boy was i...”
- 9 “Basilisk delivers an ownage storyline and exceptionally well-drawn battle scenes, with ninja skills that stay unpredictable right up to the end. The only downside is that my favorite character died...”
- 9 “I don't usually watch this kind of anime but the blurb at the back of the DVD said it was a romance tragedy and it was spot on. This story will have you watching it while holding your seat. I loved...”
Watch Order & Related
Explore the Basilisk universe
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See all credits →Production slate
- Format 24 × 24′ eps × min
- Total runtime 9h 36m all episodes
- Aired Apr 2005 – Sep 2005 Spring 2005
- Source Tv media type
- Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Ref. BS-0049 catalog
Produced by
- GDH Producer
- Kodansha Producer
- Sotsu Music Publishing Producer
- Future Vision Music Producer
Licensed by
- Funimation Licensor