Samurai Bride

Samurai Bride is a continuation of the series "Samurai Girls," showcasing the blend of the world of samurais with supernatural elements. A product of ARMS Corporation and directed by KOBUN, the series originally aired in 2013. With the events of the new season set in, the intriguing story - supplemented by a well-orchestrated animation style, colorful characters and engaging plot twists further enrich the Samurai Bride universe.

The city of Great Japan, which seemly resembles the Edo Period but behaves otherwise, is a city characterized by its archaic beauty with advanced technology hidden away. This juxtaposition forms the cornerstone of Samurai Bride, deftly combining two eras. However, the most striking feature of Great Japan is its population of "Master Samurai." These are incredibly powerful warriors who obtain their strength through a pact with a general.

Steeped in action and supernatural elements, Samurai Bride primarily follows protagonist Muneakira Yagyu, a young samurai who serves as the key to these Master Samurais. His kiss alone has the power to transform ordinary girls into Master Samurais, giving him an essential role in the societal structure of Great Japan. It’s within this extraordinary setting that Muneakira and his Master Samurai navigate through perilous adventures, attempting to protect their city.

The introduction of the "Samurai Bride" is a new concept developed in this season. The title stands for the ultimate warrior, stronger than any Master Samurai - a fusion of ancient martial arts and divine power. The significance of becoming a Samurai Bride becomes a central theme that drives the plot forward.

Our hero, Muneakira, returns to the Yagyu dojo after a hard-fought battle from the previous season, hoping for relatively peaceful days. However, he is met with a different reality when the dojo gets converted into a maid café to pay off the damage caused during the fights. It provides hilarious scenes and comic relief, making it an entertaining watch.

Unexpectedly, dark forces resurface, shaking the tranquility of Great Japan. Confronted with life-threatening challenges, Muneakira and his collection of Master Samurais must discover how to evolve into a Samurai Bride. This evolution is the only chance they have to defeat the encroaching darkness. As the protagonists face the looming threat while managing their entertaining daily lives, the story beautifully strikes a balance between grave fights and casual slice-of-life scenarios.

Character development is a significant aspect of Samurai Bride. Not only Muneakira, but the entire cast of characters including the female leads - Jubei, Sanada, Hanzo, Matabei, Yukimura, Kanetsugu, and Gisen, display a varied array of personality traits from fierce bravery, unwavering loyalty, light-hearted humour and even vulnerable sensitivity. This makes it easy for the audience to form connections with the characters and helps fuel captivating storylines.

The animation style is certainly one to be admired. The characters are rendered well, with an emphasis on vivid color schemes and diversified depictions. The Edo-style aesthetics perfectly blend with the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese architecture, juxtaposed against the modern-day aspects hidden in the cityscape. The art problems inherent in the previous series are also decisively addressed.

Likewise, the sound design deserves a special mention, especially the soundtracks that expertly align with the series' action scenes and daily life segments. They heighten the viewer experience, making the series even more absorbing.

Samurai Bride is an anime that transcends genre boundaries, having elements of action, comedy, supernatural, harem, and ecchi. Coupled with a unique combination of ancient samurai culture and cutting-edge technology, the series thoroughly engages its viewers. The plot's evolution and well-defined characters cater to both fans of high-octane action sequences and individuals looking for well-developed characters and overlooking classic tropes of the anime world. If one can appreciate the art style and the mix of various genres, then Samurai Bride has abundant entertainment to offer.