Deeper

When you compare things it is important to know which came first. A lot of us forget about chronology when making reviews and comparisons especially when we watch a bunch of shows. It's easier for us to discredit them in reviews, give them low ratings etc.

Such is the case of Samurai Deeper Kyo. But first I must say that the foremost samurai related anime that I've ever watch is Rurouni Kenshin. I can simply grade it one of the best of its genre. At that time, I think it can only be rivaled by Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal but too bad it made its debut on screen more than a decade late.

Now back to Samurai Deeper Kyo. It has its unique way of telling the story of the samurai era. Here we have Kyoshiro Mibu a wandering medicine retailer who is kind (and probably had a troubling past)but in his body lies a menacing soul named Demon Eyes Kyo.

So what am I looking here?

Akimine Kamijyo's SDK manga ran from October 1999 to May 2006. It has its anime on 2002 and ended in the same year.
Kubo Tite's Bleach manga ran from August 2001 up to this day. It's anime started on 2006 and I promise you it wouldn't end soon.

Whether it was intentional, coincidental or just a tribute I couldn't help but notice something.

look at this clip.

First is the character of Kyoshiro Mibu / Demon Eyes Kyo, we are all familiar with double personalities, evil twins, and inner demons and so is Ichigo Kurosaki's hollow. From the ending song of Samurai Deeper Kyo notice how Kyo's stance while holding the sword, Kyo's black kimono and the long flowy skirt at the very end of the song resonates Ichigo of Bleach. (even his Shibien, the Black Sword.) I've seen SDK first and when I watched Bleach no wonder why I felt deja vu.

Benitora, Renji and Gin

Second is Benitora, a character who travels alongside with Kyo. He is that guy with the red striped bandanna on his head. As I recall Bleach also has that ever smiley character named Gin and the guy who has a tattoo on his forehead Renji. Yukimura Sanada's character can also be attributed to that of Gin.

Next is Yuya Shiina. She had a brother who died and travels along with Kyo to find the killer. The two leading ladies of Bleach, namely Rukia and Orihime also has a SAD past regarding a male loved one.

Also is Sarutobi Sasuke, that small ninja boy under Sanada's care. If you look at him you know I'm going to compare him to Toshiro Hitsugaya.

 There are lots more like Okuni and her similarities to Matsumoto. But I think you get the idea.

Though it may not change the fact that you hate Samurai Deeper Kyo and adore Bleach or vice versa. It may also help to give others an idea how the genre evolved and who came first with the idea. Even I believed that there are stuff that influenced SDK before it became popular. Such things we need to take in mind before we punch in that review or comment button.





So I quote Ambrose Bierce:

"There really is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don't know. "

Wouldn't it be cool if Kenshin Himura was a girl?