The high-minded premise for this series is that ancient warriors have passed their sacred beads down the ages to contemporary students in the seven high schools of the Kanto region, which are all competing to be the ultimate butt-kicking school. Ikki Tousen serves up female fighters going toe-to-toe in rough street fights with male challengers and nobody pulls any punches merely because a male is battling a female. Seventeen-year-old Hakufu transfers to Nanyou High School because she enjoys fighting so much (she even has an orgasm during one bout); owner of a sacred bead, Hakufu may really be the reincarnation of the legendary Shou Haou, Fighter from the West (although it's hard to believe that such a great warrior could be as dim as Hakufu). More than living up to the press release claim of "pitting buxom and bubbly schoolgirls against each other in a shameless--and thoroughly comical--show of panties, cleavage, and legs," Ikki Tousen is proof positive that an anime series really can have too much "fan service" (or, what we in the West call "t&a"). And that's unfortunate because the fight scenes really are terrific. Rated 16-up, this four-episode, dual-language disc includes an art gallery and Easter egg outtakes. Not recommended. [Note: Ikki Tousen, Vol. 2 is slated for release on Nov. 2, with Vol. 3 coming Jan. 4.] Aud: P. (J. Halsall)
Ikki Tousen, Vol. 1: Legendary Fighter
(2003) 100 min. DVD: $29.98. Geneon (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 19, Issue 6
Ikki Tousen, Vol. 1: Legendary Fighter
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: