Darknives Anime & Manga Blog

^{Chapter XII}
The Black Tomb

Kuro finally arrives at his destination. The beginning intro of the episode is already involved with the actual episode as Kuro enters the place. One of the guys there comes to stop him.

I really liked Kuro’s attitude towards him, along with his "scrotum" sentence. It’s cool to see him finally acting up to his strength lol

After some more talk, the action begins. I really liked this scene, really cool and well done. I’m actually enjoying this episode a lot more that I though I would.

After Kuro kills the weaker guys, comes the stronger kabuki player. He attacks Kuro and has the upper hand until Kuro turns on his green beast mode and kills him instantly.

Everything starts falling apart, and blood starts gushing out of everywhere. Everyone is dead now least for Kuro and Kuromitsu.

Kuro goes to Kuromitsu and actually finds her with Benkei who is still alive after all this time.

I’m not gonna go into much detail into all that. All that’s important is that Benkei also has an inexplicable crush on Kuromitsu and that’s the main reason he betrayed Kuro.

They fight and Kuro wins. Kuro is tired and wants to die but, Kuromitsu really loves him. He’s the only thing that can make her withstand eternity.

So, the cycle repeats it self. All of it, the future comes, organizations and groups following Kuromitsu are formed once again. Kuromitsu mentions their relationship being unlike anything in the world.

This final scenes are really awesome, fast paced and well animated, and about that, the whole episode had really good production and animation.

And we go back to the past when Kuro and Benkei fought some soldiers. Kuro feels like this has happened before. The camera zooms out and we see the ruins of an advanced city surrounding the woods were Kuro is. This subtly lets us know that it’s been happening long before the happenings of the first episode. So this really is a story of eternal love that will continue to repeat it seld forever. Kuro also doesn’t even know for how long it has happened, probably since the beginning of time. The story suddenly turns quiet epic.

Although I always enjoyed this series, I didn’t have much motivation to watch the end but, I actually loved it. It’s my favorite episode from the series. Not everything makes absolute sense but, it’s in this kind of story’s nature.

This final episode made this series into one of my all-time favorite, really an epic ending in such a short time.

This probably isn’t an anime for everybody but, I highly recommend it. It’s very unique and original.

So, the cycle repeats it self. All of it, the future comes, organizations and groups following Kuromitsu are formed once again. Kuromitsu mentions their relationship being unlike anything in the world.

This final scenes are really awesome, fast paced and well animated, and about that, the whole episode had really good production and animation.

I think Kurozuka is a really good anime. It had some bumps along the way but, for a short series, it had a lot of good episodes and an awesome ending, as far I’m concerned.

^{Chapter XI}
The Unending War

After his transformation Hasegawa quickly makes Kuro blind with poison. He then attacks him leaving Kuro in a really bad state. Rai, uses the wireless communication device to let Kuro know from where Hasegawa is going to attack him.

This works for some time until Hasegawa figures it out and goes to Rai. I though for a minute that Kuro would leaver her to die but, he ends up using this opportunity to sneak up from behind and kill him.

On his way (not really sure where lol), Kuro finally takes some time to think over what he learned from Hasegawa. Who he is, why he’s compelled to find Kuromitsu and stuff like that. He still doesn’t know what he exactly feels about all this.

On the elevator with Rai, they kind of have a more intimate moment. And really, how it stands now, I think it would be better for them two to just finish all this and go live together, in case they like each other of course. But anyway, Rai is killed out of blue by Kuon who seems to have gone insane.

It was really unexpected. The anime just makes you feel like there’s a possibility for the two characters to develop further together and then bam.. Reminds me of Naruto this week lol And I’m not liking all of this woman-in-love killings..

Kuon fights Kuro with a sword. I’m not sure who the real Kuon was. It seems he had a similar relationship with Kuromitsu as Kuro. Not sure if it happened before or after Kuro though.

The fight was very cool, even though it was made mostly with "flashy-type" animation. In the end Kuro wins and quietly sets to his destined meeting with Kuromitsu. I have no idea about Kuro’s mindset or exactly what’s gonna happen.

The animation was very good during Kuon’s fight but, the rest of the episode wasn’t that special. It’s kind of disappointing that this final episodes didn’t have the production quality of the first ones.

I was surprised to see the beginning "song" start out of nowhere and even more to see that that place actually exists in the plot and so the kabuki-players. I’m not sure but, it seems like they are going to tell Kuromitsu’s story in some way.

I really have no idea of what’s been going on for real, taking aside that only Kuro and Kuromitsu remain. So, I’m just gonna wait for the final episode and see where it takes us. Still, a very enjoyable episode.

• Next Episode: The Black Tomb

^{Chapter X}
The Castle Of Mirage

Upon arrival, Kuro and Rai are greeted by Hasegawa. They learn that Kuon is a traitor. That’s why he was missing. Kuro and get taken by Hasegawa.

This episode surprisingly gives a lot of answers.

Hasegawa explains most mysteries about Kuro. He’s not truly immortal but, he can change bodies when his dies or ages. Kuromitsu has been doing that for him all this time. That’s also the reason why he loses all his memories.

Kuon is one of Hasegawa’s creations. From what I understand, he’s a clone with some of Kuro’s blood in the mix.

It seems Kuon wasn’t aware of all the facts. The reaç Kuon is sent to kill him now that he’s not needed anymore.

But, as with Kuro, it seems the Imperial Red Army has underestimated their strength. Kuon gets up after being "killed" and takes revenge on the real Kuon.

But, as with Kuro, it seems the Imperial Red Army has underestimated their strength. Kuon gets up after being "killed" and takes revenge on the real Kuon.

Kuro also manages to break free and save Rai from being injected with his blood.

Hasegawa, in order to defeat Kuro, injects himself with something.

This episode made it almost seem like Hasegawa was the head of the Imperial Army, being he the one who constructed the castle and being searching for Kuro for so long.. I’m just saying this because I always fought there was someone higher than him. I thought he was just a scientist working for them. Anyway, more on that will probably come in the next episodes.

I think I understand less and less of Kuromitsu’s intentions. Now, she’s shown alongside Hasegawa witnessing Kuon’s cloning. What does she want with the Imperial Army?

Who’s that one who seems like her past love, before Kuro? What was all that talk about "if you want to be loved by Kuromitsu" or something like that?

Still many answers to be given. It was an interesting episode with many revelations.

• Personal Enjoyment: 4/5

• Next Episode: The Unending War

^{Chapter IX}
Running The Gauntlet

There’s some flashback’s showing Kurumazo and Kagetsu’s relationship. Kurumazo really wants revenge. He’ sent again to kill Kuro.

Kuro and his new friends stop their journey to have a dinner party. The sudden change to comedy felt kind of strange at first. But, it was funny and worked well.

In the middle of the night, they get found out by two helicopters. I wasn’t expecting this kind of fast paced driving action scene. Although, it had some unbelievable stuff happen, it was very cool and adrenaline packed. The CG had a lot of crazy camera angles and stuff. Really surprised me and it’s one of my favorite action scenes till now, really different from all the past fights.

Karuta takes a shot and eventually dies after they manage to get inside the castle. Although it was kind of expected after taking the shot, it it still felt bad. The characters were really starting to get along well, with funnier dialogs. Now there’s also no way for Rai and Karuta’s relation to further develop.

Kuro ends up killing Kurumazu pretty easily, at least from what it looks like.

Kuon is nowhere to be seen in the last scene, I wonder if he’s okay or already went ahead. I don’t think it’s likely he would die now, his action potential hasn’t been fully used yet.

• Personal Enjoyment: 5/5

• Next Episode: The Castle Of Mirages

Chapter VIII
Ghost Weep Vines

This episodes starts around the time Kuro arrived at the city from the future and met Karuta. He finds a man that indicates him the way to the Butcher.

The man also warns him of two people following him. Back to the present. Turns out the ones following him were the two top "assassins" from the Red Imperial Army that are now in front of him. The old man was also one in disguise.

He sure has some weird and sick kind of humor lol

Anyway, the episode was kind of confusing. I’m not sure of what the old man and Kuon were doing in the forest. But, Kagetsu fought Saniwa. Saniwa lost. Kuro finds them and tries to save her.

He gets her but, she still has something up her sleeve. Kuromitsu then appears out of nowhere and kills her instantly. She then comforts Saniwa and tells Kuro that he has to go to the Emperor’s castle.

I have no idea why she just left or why she hurt Kuro in the past. I feel like there’s really no way I’ll be able to find anything for now so, I’m just gonna watch and enjoy lol

Kuro and the others prepare to assault the castle. I hope some more impressive fight scenes are to come. Although this ones weren’t bad.

• Personal Enjoyment: 4/5

Chapter VII
Karuga

They head to Karuga, an underground settlement.

While in the forest, Kuro starts feeling something is wrong. There’s a flashback of Kuro and Kuromitsu fighting, around the same time that the series starts, and Kuro losing his head again lol.

It was nice for a change, Kurozuka used to be all about messing us up with the plot jumping from one time to another.

So, the reach Kagura and find out that the Imperial Army has already raided the place.

Althoug I’m not sure why, I really liked Kagura. It was an interesting and suspenseful place with some really good art.

We learn that people born in Kagura, gained powers derived from mutation caused by the Great Disaster.

The only survivor, a painter, has drawn a picture of Kuromitsu but, she looks evil, wasn’t she supposed to be liked by Kagura’s people?

More memories come back to Kuro. He remembers that he already was at Kagura and that after a battle with the enemy, Kuromitsu attacks him from behind, being she the one who cut his head off. Just when the story seemed to makes sense.

Why did Kuromitsu do that? She seemed like a completely different person. And why is Kuro still alive? What’s Kuromitsu’s true goals?

Although Kuromitsu wasn’t the one that used the vines, she could now be responsible some how for what happened in their.

They get attacked and run out. The elder animal like being from the Red Imperial Army have come for them.

When I was thinking that the only thing left to resolve was Kuro and Kuromitsu getting back and the Red Imperial Army being defeated. But now, I have no idea what’s going on.

Can Kuro defeat this new enemies? They are probably stronger than the cable guy, and they are more one.

• Personal Enjoyment: 5/5

Miitsu

Kuro and the others have no problem dealing with most of the enemies. The "cable guy" is the real problem.

Izana and the "cable guy" show a vicious attitude. I’ll only let the cable guy slide, because he gave us some fanservice.

Saniwa orders for retreat in order to prevent more lives from being lost. Izana doesn’t care and kind of betrays them. He’s going to sacrifice his companions and take the Miitsu for himself.

Now, I’m not sure if he’s on our side and just a little extreme in the way he deals with stuff, or if he’s actually a bad guy just searching for more power and using this situation as an excuse to take the Miitsu.

So, Miitsu is Kuromitsu’s blood, not much of a surprise.

Anyway, it seems not everyone can take it. He could have been a very good help if he hadn’t destroyed himself.

Kuro and Kuon confront the cable guy. He outpowers them both. He forces Kuro to a corner and Kuro gets into his "berserker color inversion" mode and takes him out in one go.

Although the action scenes in this episode were more of the flashy kind, they were still good and I really liked the way they portrayed Kuro’s berserker mode this time.

I had forgotten that Kuro still had that "power", he’s still the strongest character around.

Now we also know that Saniwa’s men powers’ don’t come from Kuromitsu’s blood. Where do they come from? Or are they just really well trained? Since this series seems to have normal human capabilities in a higher level.

Only very few of them are left. They will now regroup in Suruga. Kuromitsu is supposed to be there. Will Kuro finally meet her again?

• Personal Enjoyment: 4/5

Saniwa

This episode reveals some stuff about the Clan chasing Kuromitsu. They have some samples of her blood and are using it to create super soldiers, although most of the test subjects die. It seems they were not just normal people looking for immortality. There’s some kind of strange, probably elder, animal-like beings, probably their leaders.

The Clan knows that Haniwa has Kuromitsu and they are sending their men there.

Meanwhile, Kuro is taken to Saniwa. She’s about to let him go see Kuromitsu, wherever she is.., when The Red Imperial Army attacks. Not only them but also their other base.

There’s also some hints at Miitsu not being just some power generating machine. It seems it’s using blood to function, Kuromitsu’s probably.

I don’t think they have much chances against the guy who defeated Kuro in the past. But, I’ve really seen all the battle ability of Izana’s men. Looking forward to the fights.

Overall, another entertaining episode with a lot of story progress. That’s what’s cool about mini-series, they usually have big plot advancements per episode, always keeping it interesting without having to fill time with side-stories.

• Personal Enjoyment: 4/5