Hakkenden: Eight Dogs Of The East - Season One (2013/Section 23/Sentai Blu-ray)

Picture: B Sound: B Extras: C Episodes: B+

Five years after their village was destroyed, there were only 3 survivors: Shino, Sosuke and a girl name Hamaji. Bound by love and hate, they are fated to find the 8 legendary Bead Holders, that they are the reincarnated Dog Warriors of the past that once helped Princess Fuse defeat the forces of evil. As they travel they find other warriors like them with supernatural powers, beads they secretly protect humanity from the forces of evil in Hakkenden: Eight Dogs Of The East - Season One (2013).

Shino and Sosuke are one of the Hakkenden, a warrior reborn from the past. They hide their abilities from the people because anyone with powers are considered 'demons'. They are secretly charged by the church to find others like them with their own secret purposes. Shino is an 18 year-old boy trapped in 13 year-old body, his lifeforce is bound with Murasame, a living sword within his body that often takes on the form of a crow. Sosuke can transform into a dog, and considers himself Shino's guardian/pet. They are join later after saving Genpachi and Kobungo, two soldiers who were in the army. They must not only find the other reincarnated warrior spirits but protect the humans from various supernatural forces that church turns a blind eye towards.

Based on the novel and manga of the Hakkenden, this series paints a world ancient Japan with western influences with supernatural powers. Tales of love and lost, that the Japanese believe all demons or oni were born from humans with tragic pasts. However in this series the main characters are considered demons for their supernatural power, who are trying to protect human society even they know if they will never be accepted.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image and lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo mix are clear, warm and rich, as usual with Sentai releases. Extras include commentaries, clean open and closing animations and trailers.

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Borders - Long ago there were 3 survivors of a epidemic that wipe out a village. Now they are wards of the Church with a secret past that they share.

Humans & Demons - Shino and Sosuke meet Kobungo who is trying to rescue Genpachi from monks who believe he is an evil demon.

The Approaching Demon - Shino is given the mission of finding the other bead holders, but decides to help Kobungo rescue Genpachi from the monks after he turn into his demon form.

Homecoming - Kobungo tells Shino of him and Genpachi's past and how they became 'demons'.

Divine Blessing - Shino meets a girl from the Snake God Clan.

Stashed - Shino enters a water deprived village and learns of the curse mountain with a Monkey God.

A Promise - After gold is discover on the cursed mountain, it is flooded with greedy gold prospectors which angers the Monkey God, who made a promise to a certain young girl.

Encounter - Shino and Sosuke meet Dosetsu who life was saved by Yukihime an old friend/snow fairy, who in turn saved Dosetsu life at the cost of her voice.

Guard - Hamaji attends an all girls school and learns her roommate isn't exactly human.

A Lonely Figure - Shino meets the beautiful Kohaku who is cursed with her own tragic past.

True Self - After Shino escapes death he reverts to his true age and form.

Compensation - Kohaku time is running out and she makes a deal with the devil, but can Shino save her soul?

Karma - The church notices Shino's recent adventures and investigates his powers ...and Murasame.

- Ricky Chiang