The Hakkenden: Legend of the Dog Warriors

A dense, artful epic that shifts visual styles and demands close attention as it unfolds a mythic, morally complex samurai saga.

Created by

Bakin Kyokutei

Genres

Animation, Drama, Sci-fi & fantasy

Starring

Toshihiko Seki, Koichi Yamadera, Tomohiro Nishimura

Overview

During the war-torn feudal wars of Japan, the Awa clan faced certain extinction from a rival clan backed by demonic forces. However, a careless promise by their lord leads to both salvation and disgrace when their family dog brings back the head of the enemy warlord and insists upon marrying the lord's daughter! Their unnatural union bears fruit, but when they are both killed, the eight unborn pups are reincarnated as the eight Dog Warriors - the Hakkenden. Slowly they find each other and come together as a group. These eight warriors, who represent the eight separate aspects of the Bushido, engage in bloody battles with demonic entitles and evil samurai in the final attempt to redeem their clan!

How it feels

Dark, melancholic, tense and earnest. Slow-burning and demanding.

About

Loyalty, fate, identity, betrayal

Content

Strong violence and gore. Mild sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)