Audience reviews
15 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Sahmoorai
I remember being drawn by the first episodes. The show had 'Samurai Champloo' vibes, but alas, they faded quite fast, just as my interest in continuing watching the series.
It's an episodic anime. There's no cognitive story, only episodes that may or may not relate to the previous ones, and have recurring characters that you didn't really get to know and most likely have forgotten about them some episodes in. The theme itself is very interesting to me personally, as I haven't seen that many (if any) about the Edo period (apart from the aforementioned Samurai Champloo), but it doesn't really go into details; it only gives you the location to the rabbit hole of things if you're willing to do your own further research on topics. What I did learn, and what was unknown to me, was that the craf…
Read at the sourceSgtSalamander
A great many anime have sought to synthesize the iconic Samurai with other aesthetics and genres, most notably the Samurai Western, but Onihei is utterly unique in this regard, representing a bold synthesis which I call Samurai Noir. Focused on crime and human drama, with a smooth, stylized aesthetic that compliments the visual landscape of 18th century Japan, this attempt at something really distinct in the medium is a resounding success. Beginning with the story, the viewer is presented with this highly episodic, human-centered tale of the dramatic struggle between the law and morality, thieve's honor and honorable thieves, and the flames of passion which flicker at the edges of right and wrong. Very little carries over from episode to episode, save for new characters, and the pacing fee…
Read at the sourceRESOLVING_POWER
I watched Onihei. Here are my thoughts:
I dropped this halfway through but picked it up again a few months later and managed to complete it. Overall it was pretty mediocre but did have a couple positive qualities. Foremost, this show does a good job of depicting the 18th-century Japan setting, both visually and from a sociological perspective – many social themes that prevailed during that time period are featured in the writing (ex. caste system, prostitution and infidelity, criminality and law enforcement, gambling and drinking). This anime can be interesting from a sociological perspective. That said, I found the constant focus on burglaries became boring and repetitive, even from early in the runtime. The screentime used to demonstrate the thievery (like sneaking in, etc.) is often qu…
Read at the sourceSenApai07
I watched this during my adolescence, a period in life where you're changing both physically, intellectually, psychologically, and socially, as well as the development of your own moral compass, and man did this Anime leave an impression.
This might sound cheesy but the way Heizou carried himself really inspired me at a time when I needed it the most. And it's not like Heizou is this perfect 2-dimensional character, the show constantly reminds us of what he used to be and it's that character development that leads him from just being a strong student of Kenjutsu to a real master. Despite his strict demeanour, Heizou truly cares deeply for his subordinates, and his ability to read people's intentions truly shines when judging character and upholding justice, often putting himself in harm'…
Read at the sourceNyarlatAnime
Onihei is quite an experience, from its bold use of color to its unique and realistic portrayal of its characters as actual people. The former isnt PARTICULARLY rare in anime, but the latter most certainly is.. It is held back from greatness, or true Masterpiece status, by the narrowest of margins.
It follows quite a few characters, though the main focus is on Onihei himself. It is frequently categorized as something of a crime/cop drama. While that is accurate, it doesnt really “feel” like the typical experience of the genre. Personally, I think this works out for the better, but it may not for be the same for everyone. The mystery and detective aspects are very secondary to the characters themselves. With such a strong, rich character like Onihei though, this ends up working exceptional…
Read at the sourceWallahSous
I'll start with the anime's only and major flaw:
It's very episodic without any substantial progress, except for some little character development. You could very well watch it in reversed order and it wouldn't be much of a problem. There's also no ending of course.
Story-wise, it's an anti-criminal organization that fights off criminals, mostly thieves. Every episode is a new criminal they're stopping. You also see a very small family-household development between the chief and his family, but nothing too interesting.
Character-wise, the main character is very likeable. He's very strict and benevolent. Good at fighting, confidant and rules with an iron fist while remaining likeable and calm. The rest of the characters are fair, but nothing worth mentioning.
Art-wise, oddly enough I wo…
Read at the sourcegeovannyboss
Thrilling, violent action crime drama, with a dose of humour and nostalgic poetic justice
I found this series entertaining in every way. Although not a complicated tale by itself it does offer many points of view through out with different characters who are introduced in each episode. From past thieves gone rogue to innocent bystanders who also become victims from the very same thieves Heizou tracks down using his intelligence. Every episode becomes more interesting than the next as the story evolves.
Good voice actors deliver touching dialogues between characters + sword fights are tense, e.g. Heizo the inspector/ protaganist fending off an assassin + no out of character behaviour: plot and decisions are driven by characters' consistent personality + promotes social justice, empathy to…
Read at the sourceRauLeCreuset
Onihei, this anime was just amazing. Mech, Samurai, Historical, Psychological. Are my favorite categories. And onihei was both a historical and a samurai anime, so two in one I received the best of both worlds and hit the jack pot with this one, the story line was very easy to comprehend, I love how the main character treated his fellow comrades or brothers in arms with both respect and was not afraid to be stern and set them on the right path, when they would go astray or veer off course, and is always willing to put himself in grave danger, just so those he cares for can escape unharmed, but, his fellow samurai are always there to back him up when he needed the most. Also, the action, beautiful scenery, and the constant action mixed with gore and dismemberment, were of course some of my…
Read at the sourceSamuraiSteve
Onihei (10/10)
**Spoiler-free review**
This was an interesting show to watch. Reading reviews on here, and elsewhere, I thought I'd be in for "just another samurai show". Let me explain what I mean by that. Anime typically adapts novels, manga, and other forms of literature into animation. Thus, the medium tends to have MANY various shows, and MANY various flavors of the same material we've seen before. Since the Japanese have a culture that focuses heavily on history and the essence of things past, many shows inevitably fall under the radar. Don't let this one.
Now, I'm not saying everyone will find this to be a gem. I can see that many may criticize its slow, perhaps meandering plot for being just that. I however find it refreshing. For those who are familiar with Mushishi's relaxing…
Read at the sourcemaxiburger
In tone and structure, Onihei is kinda similar to Cowboy Bebop. Both use self-contained episodes about crimes with sobering and melancholic conclusions that get solved by the maincharacters who carry on the weight of their work with an optimistic stoicism. What's missing almost entirely is the comedy, so in that way it's basically a less goofy Samurai Champloo. Maybe it's no coincidence that even the OP and ED are relatively similar tone setters to Tank and the Real Folk Blues. So if you're a fan of Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, or mature samurai dramas in general, you should definitely give this anime a shot.
Most of the time, the focus of the plot lies on the criminals and their sympathetic motivations while the titular police chief Onihei takes a backseat and sometimes only shows up a…
Read at the sourcebridgetheman
NOTE: I don't like giving a show a number to go by because I find people take them too seriously so my opinion will just be who should watch and who will enjoy it.
Now with that out of the way lets talk Onihei. The show as a whole was enjoyable the, slapstick humor and episodic style served the show well (really similar to Gintama). It is set in feudal Japan which I was relieved to see, not many shows are willing to brave a true historical take on an anime with out throwing in time travel or beat boxing. Everything from the story, to music, to art were fantastic. But you will notice I don't mention characters. From the start of the show they are who they are at the end. There is no true development, they just exist as a supporting cast to the main character who doesn't evolve except from…
Read at the sourceLaLeLuLiLo
Onihei is a series of japanese hitorical novels that have been adapted into many forms such as live-action TV, Movie, Manga, and even a theater play. Now the story has been adapted into Anime format, and not only that, but is also the first anime that the new studio M2 has created.
The story of Onihei is set during the Edo period in Edo(tokyo) , and revolves around Heizou Hasegawa the chief officer protecting against crime and arson. him and everyone else in the department hold a duty with keeping peace and safety with in region, and bring down any criminal or thieves. the entire anime itself is episodic which sometimes focuses on Heizo, our main character, or other people who work for him. each episode also focuses on a moral message or life lesson for the viewers based on what has tran…
Read at the sourceAdi
On one side of a brittle, canvas Shoji, lies a group of bandits—found in all shapes and sizes, though all donning the same, uniform black garments. Whispering to themselves in memorization the code of a true thief: to never kill, to never rape, and to never, ever steal from the poor whose earnings come from good work. More meaningless muttering occurs throughout the mob as they neatly organize their arsenal of tools; small daggers, picks for a lock, and of course their sharpened Katana—they don’t dare be spotted without one. On the other side of that same, brittle, canvas Shoji, lies a concealed troop of Samurais, all taking one deep, collective breath, in preparation for the Chief of the Arson Control, the “Onihei” himself, to swiftly kick down this same, brittle, canvas Shoji.
“This is…
Read at the sourcelovelyangel666
~*Background of Onihei:*~
Onihei (lit. "Demon Hei(zo)") is based on Ikenami Shoutaro's novel by the same name, "Onihei Hankacho", set in the Tokugawa period. The novels have also spawned several movies, TV series and manga as well.
~*Rundown on the show:*~
Set in feudal Japan, the story tells the adventures and misadventures of Hasegawa Heizo, chief of the special police controlling arson and robberies in Edo. The police forces are composed mainly of reformed thieves and spies, many of which still have ties with their pasts, which makes the story all the more interesting. The anime itself is in a criminal-of-the-week format and each episode tells the story of a different person (or people), many of which are entangled with Heizo's life one way or another. So as the story progresses, we…
Read at the sourcejsmrcrzgrdl_
ONIHEI ANIME REVIEW
Onihei tells the story of Arson Theft Control's chief, Heizo "The Oni" Hasegawa on how he captures and deals with the thieves.
I'm declaring that this anime is the best hidden gem of Winter 2017.
Everything about this anime is enjoyable to watch. The story's great because you learn the underlying reasons and secrets of every thief. Every episode you will learn a new thing.
The art's good as well. It was set on traditional Japan so every bit was great especially the soundtracks. It's like I've been to Japan after listening to that opening song. It was damn great.
The character development in each episode was also outstanding. You can view yourselves in their shoes after you finish an episode. You will feel their story. Just the narration in each episode was damn exc…
Read at the source