Basilisk

In a shadowed corner of early 17th century Japan, two deadly ninja houses, the Iga Tsubagakure and the Kouga Manjidani, square off for control of the shogunate’s next heir. A brutal contest is set in motion, pitting ten elite operatives from each clan against one another in a high stakes duel that will determine the future of a fragile empire. The battles are clandestine and intensely dangerous, designed to reveal who truly wields influence in the new era. As vendettas resurface and old loyalties fray, the struggle tests each fighter’s honor, resolve, and sanity, threatening to drag both clans into a war that could erase any chance for peace. The show keeps the pace brisk, weaving personal vendetta with a wider political tension that frames every clash as part of a larger, unresolved war.

Produced as a 2005 anime series with Shinsuke Onishi and Futaro Yamada credited as creators; Basilisk adapts Futaro Yamada's The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, weaving historical grit with supernatural flair and complex political machinations. The production combines traditional samurai aesthetics with modern animation techniques.

Basilisk earned a place in the mid 2000s anime landscape for its stark, high contrast visuals and unflinching depiction of violence. It helped popularize the mashup of historical ninja myth and brutal, fate driven storytelling that later fans and creators recall when discussing dark action anime. Its mood and look have influenced later grim historical series.

Reception leans toward positive among fans, reflected in a 7.4 out of 10 rating from 99 votes. The series probes themes of vengeance and power, the costs of loyalty, and the collapse of peaceful politics under the weight of ancient grudges. It also asks what people sacrifice when family and fate collide.

Awards: Basilisk has not been widely recognized with major awards, but its distinctive visuals and fearless approach to portraying cruelty without glamor have earned it lasting praise from anime communities. Its score and character designs are frequently highlighted by fans.