Samurai Warriors: The Complete Series

Based on the titular video game series, the anime Samurai Warriors centers on the massive wars that rocked Japan during the 16th century. Brothers Yukimura and Nobuyuki Sanada are warriors under the banner of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, whose military brilliance defeated rival warlords and led to the unification of Japan. But the death of Hideyoshi causes divisions in the newly united land, and the Sanada brothers soon find themselves on opposite sides of a new conflict that plunges Japan back into civil war. To its credit, the series serves up some interesting Japanese history, seriously detailing the battle strategies and policy planning that resulted in the cycle of war to peace to war. But ultimately Samurai Warriors is a somewhat quotidian endeavor that underserves its colorful subject, and while the animation is adequate, the characters often seem like caricatures. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2015 in a dual-language DVD edition, rated TV-14, extras include a bonus prequel OVA. A strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)