Kairi Shimotsuki has once again outdone himself with his recent addition to his anime repertoire, Brave 10. The original manga series was published by Media Factory in an issue of Comic Flapper in late December 2007 which was later licensed by Tokyopop. Brave 10 falls under the historical, ninja and action genres and based on the legendary Sanada Ten Braves, a congregation of skilled ninjas that played a major role during the warlord Sanada Yukimura’s conquest for power during the Sengoku period. The anime adaptation of the manga series was directed by the capable hands of Kiyoko Sayama with the help of Studio Sakimakura (in charge for animation) and TMS Entertainment Studios (in charge for production). The first season of the anime aired on various Japanese TV networks on January 2012 and ended briefly of the same year on March 2012 which lasted for 12 action-packed episodes.
Brave 10 recounts the tale of Sanada Yukimura and his brave followers as they storm Japan during the warring states period. The story starts one year before the epic Battle of Sekigahara and follows the story’s main protagonist, Kirigakure Saizou. As a former Iga Ninja, Saizou was on a quest to find the meaning of his life when suddenly; he crosses paths with Isanami, an Izumo shrine maiden. After the tragic loss of the Izumo temple, Isanami is travelling to Shinsuu to seek sanctuary from his pursuers, which later was revealed to be men of the infamous Tokugawa Ieyasu. Following the Bushido Code, Saizou is forced to help the damsel in distress from deadly assassins determined to take her life. Meanwhile, Sanada Yukimura wanders the country in search of the country’s strongest warriors and is drawn to Saizou’s extraordinary valor and immeasurable potential to be Japan’s strongest warrior. Sanada Yukimura hopes to gather 10 of the strongest warriors of Japan to become his secret weapon for the impending war to come. He believes that with the combined strength of his 10 warriors, it would ultimately change the course of history. During the ensuing battles the team is faced with, the mysterious power hidden within Isanami comes to light.
Sanada Yukimura is preparing for the upcoming war and gathers only the 10 of the strongest warriors, strong enough to alter the course of history. (1) Sarutobi Sasuke is the loyal servant of Sanda Yukimura with a remarkable control over animals. (2) Kirigakure Saizou is a former Iga Ninja who wanders Japan in search for the meaning of his life as a masterlesss ninja. (3) Izumo Isanami is an Izumo shrine maiden with a mysterious power. (4) Anastasia is also a former Iga ninja which manipulates water as she pleases. (5) Unnou Rokurou is Yukimura’s right-hand man who personally protects Yukimura. (6) Kakei Juzou is the hot-blooded middle-aged man who is adept in using guns as his preferred weapon of choice. (7) Yuri Kamanosuke was a former renegade bandit with an uncontrollable blood thirst that can manipulate wind using a long deathscythe. (8) Miyoshi Seikai is a travelling monk who happens to be Isanami’s step brother who is seen to have unstoppable strength. (9) Mochizuka Benmaru is a kid with an exceptional knowledge on using bombs for weapons. (10) Nezu Jinpachi was a former pirate with an exceptionally nimble body and uses lightning attacks.
