House of Five Leaves 1

Our "Five Leaves"

It’s rare that I like a series’ name translated to English rather than the original Japanese. Of course there are plenty of shows with English titles to begin with, but let’s not be picky. The most obvious example of an original English title is Cowboy Bebop, but that’s a discussion for another time. The original series name is Sarai-ya Goyou which translates to “House of Five Leaves” which I think any English speaker will agree is a superior title for its sound and cool factor. Another anime that has a great title when translated to English is Kara no Kyōkai which translates to “Boundary of Emptiness” but that is definitely a discussion for another time.

Great Visuals for the OP

Genres: Drama, Historical, Seinen

Themes: Connections, Family, Relaxed

Number of episodes: 12

Summary:

House of Five Leaves is a show that I thought was about Akitsu Masanosuke, however, the first episode definitely has more insight on Yaichi, a man whose lack of a surname (and the fact that Yaichi isn’t his name) is sure to be important story wise. In this first episode we see these two characters introduced through unfortunate events for Masanosuke, whose timid and depressing personality gets in the way of him holding down a job. So as a poor ronin he has no money to pay for food. After getting embarrassed for being caught staring at a gangster-looking individual and his lady friend feeding him dumplings, Masanosuke does what any timid ronin would, he runs away. While taking a breather the gangster sneaks up on him and offers him a dumpling, obviously Yaichi here is a member of the Dango Daikazoku. Yaichi introduces himself to Masanosuke saying that he needs a bodyguard. Masanosuke accepts faster than the fight between Aizen and the other Captains.

Dango, Dango, Dango, Dango Daikazoku!

Daichi explains that he needs protection from someone giving him trouble. Masanosuke accompanies him throughout the day being treated to lunch and dinner. Eventually Yaichi says that they are going to meet the cause of his troubles. There they meet an old man……….and his two bodyguards which, surprisingly, Masanosuke takes out without any trouble. After the useless samurai run away Yaichi walks up to the old man who promptly shows him the money he brought, which Yaichi takes saying that he’ll return his useless son soon. At which point he and Masanosuke leave. Yaichi explains to the obviously confused Masanosuke that he kidnaps people for a living, but that he likes Masanosuke and would have him join his group, the “Five Leaves.”

Follows the Himura Kenshin style of reverse blade

Masanosuke as a samurai is now having qualms about what he’s done. He promised to see his job with Yaichi through and has accepted the payment for his work, but does not want to join his group. Yaichi puts a knife up to Masanosukes throat which he quickly puts away saying that it was a joke. He tells him that he was looking for a cowardly and soft-hearted samurai that he could use for show. He explains that he couldn’t believe that he found one so easily but didn’t expect Masanosuke to be both a good swordsman, and likable.

I'm trying to convince Bass that they aren't frogs...............

Masanosuke apparently can’t hold his sake and quickly falls asleep waking up in the house (and tavern) of another member of the House of Five Leaves, Umezou. Ume has a daughter who brings Masanosuke food and explains to him how the Five Leaves was started. Apparently at her previous workplace she was treated awfully by the owner’s son, Ume obviously was furious and threatened to kill the son, but Yaichi said that they should kidnap him instead. Apparently they got nice amount of money from that so they have since been kidnapping people that belong to flawed families. As seen from the old man in the episode they leave a ransom letter with a maple leaf in the note. Masanosuke asks if they are chivalrous robberies but Yaichi says that he doesn’t think what he does is noble in the least.

Obvious pink kimono is obvious

Yaichi still wants Masanosuke to join him and asks if he’s stuck on being a samurai, Masanosuke explains that he wants to cure himself of his personality issues and work for the government. Yaichi says that he just wants to live aimlessly and that Masanosuke should join him since a commoner’s life is more fun, but he doesn’t judge the life choices of others. Masanosuke explains that he sent the money to his family since his brother’s in debt and both of them can’t be ronin for the sake of his family’s honour. Yaichi isn’t too fond of family talk so he takes a stroll. Masanosuke follows him and Yaichi says that he’s got plenty of time to think about joining, and Masanosuke reiterates that he admires him for his composure.

Awesome title and end shots

Thoughts:

Even though this is a samurai show from Manglobe it is not at all like Samurai Champloo, though it is unique in its own way with both the art and dialogue heavy scenes. Something that I absolutely love about this show is the music, the song with the accordion and piano playing when Masanosuke finds out about Yaichi is an incredible piece, I watched that part in the episode quite a few times just because of how well it fit. The opening song isn’t as good, I wouldn’t listen to it by itself but the opening as an opening is great, I really enjoyed the style and song together, it felt laid back and fit with the show’s theme.

See Bass, the character models ARE good...

My favourite part of the show however is Namikawa Daisuke as Masanosuke and Sakurai Takahiro as Yaichi. Both have had excellent roles in the past playing two of my favourite male characters from recent anime (Rock from Black Lagoon and Oshino from Bakemonogatari respectively) and it’s great to hear these two talking to each other. Masanosuke is a very likeable character, he never preaches or complains to Yaichi, and finding out that he sent all his money to his family is pretty respectable given the size of his belly growling. Yaichi has a lot of development in this episode with the flashback at the beginning. This gave a pretty big insight to Yaichi as a character with how his mother was apparently disgusted with him and his burn scar (which is shaped as a maple leaf). It is revealed that his name is really Seinoshin and that Yaichi was the name of the person who looked after him as a child.

Great shot, full of Canadian pride

The moment when Yaichi told Seinoshin not to worry because his scar was shaped like a maple leaf and that maple leaves are beautiful was a touching moment. The art and piano in the background was great and the difference of the red leaves and the tint of green everything else had was eye-catching to say the least. I am very interested in this show, and can’t wait to watch the next episode when it is released. Funimation is streaming the show live on their website, but unfortunately it does not stream in Canada, therefore I will be blogging the fan subs. Hopefully this means that we can look forward to an English blu-ray release of this show not long after it’s finished. Speaking of Canada, I found the relation of our national symbol to a criminal organization both insulting and fascinating. I am glad to see the amazing leaf that we love so much up here play a pivotal role in the story of this show and I look forward to more.

OP:「Sign of Love」                                          ED:「all I need is…」

/ 7 Commentsleave a comment /

• blindability says:

  April 21, 2010

  I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but I enjoyed the first episode and will probably keep watching.

  And though I don't want to interrupt your Canadian pride, that maple might actually be a Japanese Maple tree rather than a Canadian Maple tree. There's a difference in the shape of the leaves… But then again I could be wrong.
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  • Flags says:

    April 21, 2010

    Oh, it is a Japanese Maple tree. And there is a difference between the leaves of a Japanese Maple and a Canadian Maple. Canadian Maple leaves have three big divisions while Japanese Maple's have five smaller divisions. Canadian Maple leaves also have a lot of very tiny division among the main ones while the Japanese divisions have jagged edges. I prided over it because the leaves were bright red like the Canadian flag. Also, when someone says "Maple Leaf" do you think of Japan or do you think of the overrated Toronto hockey team?

    Reply
• blindability says:

  April 21, 2010

  You mean the ones who can't even make it into the playoffs?
  Yeah I try not to think about them, haha.
  My recent post ANIBLOG TOURNEY

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• Vivi says:

  April 22, 2010

  I loooove Natsume Ono so much, I was fangirling like crazy when I watched this ♥
  Great review, the blatant Canadian pride was amusing heheh.

  Reply
• glothelegend says:

  April 22, 2010

  Well this definitely looks fucking awesome.

  Reply
• joojoobees says:

  April 24, 2010

  I really am enjoying this show. Sucks for you that you live in Canada. I got to see ep. 2 like an hour after it was broadcast in Japan on the Funi website. This show really has a fresh look, and I completely agree, the music is great.
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• bawain says:

  July 8, 2010

  its amazing i recommend it very much!! too bad its only 12 episodes -__-

  n i seriously want the music tht they play during the episode,, not the op song *even tho its AMAZING as well* ,, but i want tht soft sad music tht they play its just wow!! <3

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