Frequently Asked Questions (Or so we think)
(p.s. Please bear with the b0rked anchor links, we're trying to sort it out - blogger in beta version is doing some weird stuff with it... :S)
General Questions
What does this show's impossibly long title mean?
What period is this show set in?
How many episodes does this show have?
Why is the video quality so damn lousy?
Is this based off a manga or a novel, etc.?
Who would enjoy this anime?
Where do you get to watch this anime?
Terms and Facts
What are some key terms I need to know?
What are the important issues of that period?
What are some important factions? (AKA Which side is ________ on?)
Opening
Why the heck is Akizuki pointing a sword at Kakunojou? Why are they fighting?
Why isn't Kanna-sama in the OP?! Heck, where IS everyone? I only see Soutetsu, Akizuki, Kakunojou and Sakamoto Ryouma...
-------------------------------------------
Q. What does this show's impossibly long title mean?
A: Bakumatsu refers to the period of roughly 1853 to 1867-8 in Japan. It means "end of Shogunate" because that is what happened at that time. (See below as to what shogunate means)
Kikansetsu means something like a "theory of governance/power" (It literally means "theory of organisation"). Here, it refers to the structure where anyone who can control the Conqueror's Head gets ultimate power.
Irohanihoheto is the first line of a Japanese poem known as the Iroha uta.
Q. What period is this show set in?
A: Episode one states that the time is early spring in the Japanese year of Keio 4, 3 months after Ryouma Sakamoto's assassination. That places it around early March 1868 (in our Gregorian calendar, yes), which corresponds with the passage of the letter in that episode. The show is expected to span the whole of 1868.
Q. How many episodes does this show have?
A: Twenty-six weekly episodes of around 25 minutes each.
Q. Why is the video quality so damn lousy?
A: This show airs on a free-of-charge online streaming content provider called GyaO. Any videos ripped from there will have low video quality. You want good quality, get the DVDs.
Q. Is this based off a manga or a novel, etc.?
A: No. This is an "anime original story". The original creator is Ryousuke Takahashi who also is the general director of the show, with input from other Sunrise planning staff.
Q. Who would enjoy this anime?
A: It's actually aimed at girls(for one thing, look at all the hawt guys), but I'm sure guys can enjoy it too for the action and historical elements too. However, stay far away if you dislike shows that have cheesy supernatural elements that change history, are expecting something really realistic, or if you hate shows that focus more on the plot than the characters. Also, it's best if you know some of the real history behind the show, or are willing to learn about it.
Q. Where do you get to watch this anime?
A: Sorry but you'll have to find out yourself. We're not saying anything besides the fact that the first DVD (Region 2) is coming out in Japan on the 26th of January with the first two episodes in it. (You can see a whole list of releases on the English wikipedia page for this anime.)
I hope some kami-sama releases it legally in Singapore. Even if the translation was shit I'd so buy it. T_T
********
Q. What are some key terms I need to know?
A: OK, here's a few super-basics.
Shogunate - In Japanese, bakufu 幕府. A form of government that Japan was under for a very long time, until it was officially abolished in 1868. The ruler is a military leader appointed by the emperor and is called a Shogun 将軍.
Tokugawa Shogunate 徳川幕府 - The Shogunate that was ruling Japan just before 1868, all from the Tokugawa family or its branches. Because it started faltering around 1853 and ultimately fell in 1867-8, that period is known as bakumatsu. (baku - refers to Shogunate, matsu - end) The last shogun was Tokugawa Yoshinobu. In between the changing of Shoguns it is run by a tairo, the most recent and relevant one being Ii Naosuke.
Han (and Japanese feudalism) 藩 - It is translated into English as "domain". A han is an area of land that is run according to a somewhat feudal structure. The ultimate lord of the han is called a daimyo, and he answers to the Shogun and the emperor. Under the daimyo there are other lords, and people serving under them called vassals or retainers (in this context they were samurai). These titles were largely passed down in families. Below them was everyone else - merchants, peasants, craftsmen etc., although some farmers were powerful enough to own their own land.
For example, Satsuma-han was ruled by the Shimazu family. The last daimyo was Shimazu Hisamitsu, and Saigou Takamori was a samurai under him. Masumitsu Kyuunosuke was a lower-ranking samurai.
Imperial Army - For purposes of this anime, it's the same as the New Government's Forces, and later on the Meiji Government forces, and the Eastern Expedition Troops (touseigun). If someone says the "flag of brocade" then they're talking about things related to the Imperial Court (and hence possibly the Army).
They were called the Imperial Army because after the Shogunate fell and an army was consolidated, it was given the Imperial stamp of approval when one of the Imperial family members became commander in chief of the army.
The name 'Eastern Expedition' refers to the fact that a number of the areas supporting this army were from Western domains, and they were stamping out Tokugawa supporters in the Eastern areas.
Just remember for now that Saigou Takamori is one of the military commanders and an important force in the army.
For the rest, go look for Shinsen-subs' handy historical notes on their forum. Go google for it, I'm not linking to it here (not because I hate them, but uh.. don't ask.)
********
Q. What are the important issues of that period?
A: The way I see it at least, there were two points of conflict which sometimes overlapped:
1. Succession and continuation of the Shogunate system, and
2. Response to foreigners after Commodore Perry forced Japan to open up.
By the start of the anime, the Shogunate is officially no more - but there is still a lot of resistance from groups who were loyal to the Shogunate.
Also, Japan has opened up, but there is still a whole gamut of opinions as to the idea of foreigners coming in, both among the ordinary populace and also within the government.
*********
Q. What are some important factions? (AKA Which side is ________ on?)
A: For the purposes of simplicity let's split it into "pro-Tokugawa", "Imperial Forces" and "Others". And then I will just throw in a bunch of associated groups (some have overlaps).
Pro-Tokugawa - Supported the Shogunate all the way and still resisted after the Shogunate fell.
Shinsengumi (a very famous group of fighters...) (Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, etc.)
Aizu-han (daimyo: Matsudaira Katamori)
Kuwana-han (daimyo: Matsudaira Sadaaki)
Ii Naosuke/Kamon-no-kami
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
?Nagaoka-han (Tried to be neutral but got dragged to Tokugawa side later). (daimyo: Tadakatsu Makino. Important ppl: Kawai Tsuginosuke.)
Imperial Forces - Went against the Shogunate at some point of time and later helped to set up the new (Meiji) government.
Imperial family (Emperor Meiji, Prince Arisugawa)
Satsuma-han (daimyo: Shimazu Hisamitsu. Important ppl: Saigou Takamori, Ookubo Toshimichi)
Choshu-han (daimyo: Mouri Takachika. Important ppl: Kido Takayoshi/Katsura Kogorou)
Tosa-han (daimyo: Yamauchi Yodo. Important ppl: Sakamoto Ryouma)
Mito-han (daimyo: Tokugawa Nariaki.)
British consul H.S. Parkes
Historical Nakaiya
Others (Please understand not everyone falls into one of the two above categories)
Anime Nakaiya (appears to have his independent agenda)
Katsu Kaishuu (Tokugawa official, but wasn't entirely on their side either)
Yamaoka Tesshuu (High-ranking Tokugawa retainer but was more on Katsu's side)
And just about the rest of the characters.
**********
Q. Why the heck is Akizuki pointing a sword at Kakunojou? Why are they fighting?
A. Watch the show and find out, silly! That's the point of the OP and that is also precisely one of the biggest reasons why we are watching this show. We want to know what's going to happen to the two of them. Now shut up and enjoy it. (I can't even spoil you since we're only 7 episodes into the show at time of writing...)
Q. Why isn't Kanna-sama in the OP?! Heck, where IS everyone? I only see Soutetsu, Akizuki, Kakunojou and Sakamoto Ryouma...
A. Kanna plus the rest of the troupe, Kotoha, Katsu and Nakaiya are in the OP - watch the bit where Akizuki is standing on this green thing and a bunch of people get "sucked" into it. They're there.
You might say that this is a blatant hint that Kanna, despite his hordes of loving fangirls, is not nearly as important as Akizuki, Kakunojou and Soutetsu (also the only ones who even appear in the ED...).
---------------------------------------------
(p.s. Please bear with the b0rked anchor links, we're trying to sort it out - blogger in beta version is doing some weird stuff with it... :S)
General Questions
What does this show's impossibly long title mean?
What period is this show set in?
How many episodes does this show have?
Why is the video quality so damn lousy?
Is this based off a manga or a novel, etc.?
Who would enjoy this anime?
Where do you get to watch this anime?
Terms and Facts
What are some key terms I need to know?
What are the important issues of that period?
What are some important factions? (AKA Which side is ________ on?)
Opening
Why the heck is Akizuki pointing a sword at Kakunojou? Why are they fighting?
Why isn't Kanna-sama in the OP?! Heck, where IS everyone? I only see Soutetsu, Akizuki, Kakunojou and Sakamoto Ryouma...
-------------------------------------------
Q. What does this show's impossibly long title mean?
A: Bakumatsu refers to the period of roughly 1853 to 1867-8 in Japan. It means "end of Shogunate" because that is what happened at that time. (See below as to what shogunate means)
Kikansetsu means something like a "theory of governance/power" (It literally means "theory of organisation"). Here, it refers to the structure where anyone who can control the Conqueror's Head gets ultimate power.
Irohanihoheto is the first line of a Japanese poem known as the Iroha uta.
Q. What period is this show set in?
A: Episode one states that the time is early spring in the Japanese year of Keio 4, 3 months after Ryouma Sakamoto's assassination. That places it around early March 1868 (in our Gregorian calendar, yes), which corresponds with the passage of the letter in that episode. The show is expected to span the whole of 1868.
Q. How many episodes does this show have?
A: Twenty-six weekly episodes of around 25 minutes each.
Q. Why is the video quality so damn lousy?
A: This show airs on a free-of-charge online streaming content provider called GyaO. Any videos ripped from there will have low video quality. You want good quality, get the DVDs.
Q. Is this based off a manga or a novel, etc.?
A: No. This is an "anime original story". The original creator is Ryousuke Takahashi who also is the general director of the show, with input from other Sunrise planning staff.
Q. Who would enjoy this anime?
A: It's actually aimed at girls
Q. Where do you get to watch this anime?
A: Sorry but you'll have to find out yourself. We're not saying anything besides the fact that the first DVD (Region 2) is coming out in Japan on the 26th of January with the first two episodes in it. (You can see a whole list of releases on the English wikipedia page for this anime.)
I hope some kami-sama releases it legally in Singapore. Even if the translation was shit I'd so buy it. T_T
********
Q. What are some key terms I need to know?
A: OK, here's a few super-basics.
Shogunate - In Japanese, bakufu 幕府. A form of government that Japan was under for a very long time, until it was officially abolished in 1868. The ruler is a military leader appointed by the emperor and is called a Shogun 将軍.
Tokugawa Shogunate 徳川幕府 - The Shogunate that was ruling Japan just before 1868, all from the Tokugawa family or its branches. Because it started faltering around 1853 and ultimately fell in 1867-8, that period is known as bakumatsu. (baku - refers to Shogunate, matsu - end) The last shogun was Tokugawa Yoshinobu. In between the changing of Shoguns it is run by a tairo, the most recent and relevant one being Ii Naosuke.
Han (and Japanese feudalism) 藩 - It is translated into English as "domain". A han is an area of land that is run according to a somewhat feudal structure. The ultimate lord of the han is called a daimyo, and he answers to the Shogun and the emperor. Under the daimyo there are other lords, and people serving under them called vassals or retainers (in this context they were samurai). These titles were largely passed down in families. Below them was everyone else - merchants, peasants, craftsmen etc., although some farmers were powerful enough to own their own land.
For example, Satsuma-han was ruled by the Shimazu family. The last daimyo was Shimazu Hisamitsu, and Saigou Takamori was a samurai under him. Masumitsu Kyuunosuke was a lower-ranking samurai.
Imperial Army - For purposes of this anime, it's the same as the New Government's Forces, and later on the Meiji Government forces, and the Eastern Expedition Troops (touseigun). If someone says the "flag of brocade" then they're talking about things related to the Imperial Court (and hence possibly the Army).
They were called the Imperial Army because after the Shogunate fell and an army was consolidated, it was given the Imperial stamp of approval when one of the Imperial family members became commander in chief of the army.
The name 'Eastern Expedition' refers to the fact that a number of the areas supporting this army were from Western domains, and they were stamping out Tokugawa supporters in the Eastern areas.
Just remember for now that Saigou Takamori is one of the military commanders and an important force in the army.
For the rest, go look for Shinsen-subs' handy historical notes on their forum. Go google for it, I'm not linking to it here (not because I hate them, but uh.. don't ask.)
********
Q. What are the important issues of that period?
A: The way I see it at least, there were two points of conflict which sometimes overlapped:
1. Succession and continuation of the Shogunate system, and
2. Response to foreigners after Commodore Perry forced Japan to open up.
By the start of the anime, the Shogunate is officially no more - but there is still a lot of resistance from groups who were loyal to the Shogunate.
Also, Japan has opened up, but there is still a whole gamut of opinions as to the idea of foreigners coming in, both among the ordinary populace and also within the government.
*********
Q. What are some important factions? (AKA Which side is ________ on?)
A: For the purposes of simplicity let's split it into "pro-Tokugawa", "Imperial Forces" and "Others". And then I will just throw in a bunch of associated groups (some have overlaps).
Pro-Tokugawa - Supported the Shogunate all the way and still resisted after the Shogunate fell.
Shinsengumi (a very famous group of fighters...) (Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, etc.)
Aizu-han (daimyo: Matsudaira Katamori)
Kuwana-han (daimyo: Matsudaira Sadaaki)
Ii Naosuke/Kamon-no-kami
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
?Nagaoka-han (Tried to be neutral but got dragged to Tokugawa side later). (daimyo: Tadakatsu Makino. Important ppl: Kawai Tsuginosuke.)
Imperial Forces - Went against the Shogunate at some point of time and later helped to set up the new (Meiji) government.
Imperial family (Emperor Meiji, Prince Arisugawa)
Satsuma-han (daimyo: Shimazu Hisamitsu. Important ppl: Saigou Takamori, Ookubo Toshimichi)
Choshu-han (daimyo: Mouri Takachika. Important ppl: Kido Takayoshi/Katsura Kogorou)
Tosa-han (daimyo: Yamauchi Yodo. Important ppl: Sakamoto Ryouma)
Mito-han (daimyo: Tokugawa Nariaki.)
British consul H.S. Parkes
Historical Nakaiya
Others (Please understand not everyone falls into one of the two above categories)
Anime Nakaiya (appears to have his independent agenda)
Katsu Kaishuu (Tokugawa official, but wasn't entirely on their side either)
Yamaoka Tesshuu (High-ranking Tokugawa retainer but was more on Katsu's side)
And just about the rest of the characters.
**********
Q. Why the heck is Akizuki pointing a sword at Kakunojou? Why are they fighting?
A. Watch the show and find out, silly! That's the point of the OP and that is also precisely one of the biggest reasons why we are watching this show. We want to know what's going to happen to the two of them. Now shut up and enjoy it. (I can't even spoil you since we're only 7 episodes into the show at time of writing...)
Q. Why isn't Kanna-sama in the OP?! Heck, where IS everyone? I only see Soutetsu, Akizuki, Kakunojou and Sakamoto Ryouma...
A. Kanna plus the rest of the troupe, Kotoha, Katsu and Nakaiya are in the OP - watch the bit where Akizuki is standing on this green thing and a bunch of people get "sucked" into it. They're there.
You might say that this is a blatant hint that Kanna, despite his hordes of loving fangirls, is not nearly as important as Akizuki, Kakunojou and Soutetsu (also the only ones who even appear in the ED...).
---------------------------------------------
