Review of Samurai Girls

Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls. “Oooooooooh, lookie-lookie! Another harem series rated with mild nudity!” --- Me I’ve been a fan of harem series as long as I can remember. I don’t know; maybe part of it was because it won’t happen for me in real life. I know I’m not the only one who projects themselves as the protagonist, and that’s why, maybe, I don’t watch shoujo series at all. Enough about me spouting nonsense. Let us proceed further into my review of Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls. Story: 7 Hyakka Ryouran’s story isn’t that great. But the setting will pique a bit of your interest. Why? It’s because ofthe odd setting of the story. If you think that the story happened in the samurai era, which was in the past. You are wrong, mister.
The story happens in the early 21st century, in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate has remained in power. 21st century, meaning computers (in fact they’re using Microsoft OS on their computers), airplanes, trains, etc. exist. So don’t get confused. I like the fact of mixing modern and feudal-era in the story. The setting is unique in its own way.
As for the story, a girl mysteriously appears in front of him descending from the sky and steals his first kiss. And voilà, he gained one of the girls he’ll be adding into his arsenal of samurai babes! There’s more to it than that of course. Buuuuuuuuuuut! You halfta’ watch the series yourself to understand it more. Considering that Hyakka Ryouran has only 12 episodes, (second season not included) it is in fact very short. The story’s really easy to grasp so you don’t have to worry about it.
You can say I’m lazy for not telling you the plot. Half of its true, half of it is I just don’t want to spoil you.

Art: 9
Hyakka Ryouran’s art is great. Or it’s just a biased opinion of silly self. Either way, Hyakka Ryouran’s art is very appealing to me. Everything that was drawn was surrounded by these heavily inked borders around them. And the fight scenes weren’t half bad, too. In short, everything was bloody messed up with ink. But it comes with colours, too! Like black, purple, white. INK, INK, INK!!! Even sword slashes were inks.

Characters: 8
Considering Hyakka Ryouran’s a harem series, we should have a lot of bishoujous surrounding our MC. Oh and yes, did they deliver. An air-head; a loli (who is voiced by Rie Kugimiya); and a jealous-type girl. The supporting characters were decent, too. The lack of male characters in the story is quite disturbing. I’ve only seen two guys in the story. Oh whelp, who cares about males. What am I even saying? This show’s for guys anyway.

Sound: 7
I don’t know why, but the background songs in the fights scenes seem really familiar to me. For the OP theme and ED theme; I did like the ED theme which was done by Rie Kugimiya! The OP theme’s made by Faylan. They also made songs for Seikon no Qwaser, which, incidentally, is like Hyakka Ryouran. Although it’s a lot more mature than Hyakka Ryouran.

Enjoyment: 7
Did I enjoy it? Of course, my inner male did. But my inner plot-centred-self isn’t quite as happy as my inner male did. Why? It’s the lack of legitimate plot. What I irked me the most was the progress of the story. The first few episodes were good, explaining some things how this and that happened. But continuing to the middle episodes it got boring. What I mean is, the plot of the story doesn’t progress that much until the last few episodes. Nevertheless, the simple punches and sword swings that could tear the girls’ clothes really made me happy.

Overall: 7
Hyakka Ryouran’s far off from being called a masterpiece. It lacks a lot of essentials on how to be a great series. Looking at the fan service it provides, especially to adolescent boys, it’ll be a decent show, or better, a great show (for them). Let’s all face it, boobies and panties aren’t enough to wow viewers these days, or even make them watch the series.
My verdict: Hyakka Ryouran’s a good watch, not a “must-watch” series. But it’ll definitely entertain you.