I felt that this was a tacky attempt at classic anime, not only was the story line unoriginal and boring, the animation was undetailed and cheap. This film had low budget written all over it, and to make things worse the dubbing was rediculous, with accents ranging from brummy, to Scottish (bearing in mind that this was a Japanese set movie!!). A definate let down.
4 Reviews
Skillfully drawn but very disturbing subject matter - spoiler - only for adults with an eye to the art forms quality.
sageaqua2 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite animated films but it should be a bared film to any one not conferrable with animated disturbing sex pictures. The subject matter includes: scenes' of sadistic nudity. But the story is solid, animation superb and intense. If you don't want to see girl having their life force sucked out of them by evil - don't watch it. If you can move be on the subject matter - this ninja story is first rate.
The most disturbing thing about the film with using young women to keep a evil princess young by floating their nude bodies in a potion. It reminded me of a legendary countess: she would bath in the blood of virgins to keep her youth. This story line has similar idea behind it.
The most disturbing thing about the film with using young women to keep a evil princess young by floating their nude bodies in a potion. It reminded me of a legendary countess: she would bath in the blood of virgins to keep her youth. This story line has similar idea behind it.
Tiny medieval Japanese steam-punk masterpiece
godemperorofhell14 May 2005
I am not an anime enthusiast here, but this title is one of the only ones that I actually own, alongside Neo-Tokio. Back then, there were not many steam-punk anime films produced. You'll have to appreciate Medieval Japan with helicopters, cyborgs and magical creatures. It is very short, but an enjoyable piece that you'll appreciate if you let yourself take away by the dream-like scenery and the heavy metal soundtrack. Karazu Tengu Kabuto is a movie that will leave you wondering why the setting is left largely unexplored. A very straightforward story with a superb execution, the quality of the animation is nothing to be surprised about, even though, it won't leave you dissatisfied. It filled my brain with ideas. See it and form your own opinion.
Don't get your hopes up...
groovycow24 August 2003
This short film, while a perfect example of early Japanese anime, is nothing special. It seems to borrow from the technology of PREDATOR, the style of the "Conan the Adventurer" series, and the ninja elements of NINJA SCROLL and "Berserk", and yet fails to invoke any of them properly.
"RAVEN TENGU KABUTO: Tale of the Golden-Eyed Beast" was, unfortunately, made in 1992, and thus can't quite be blamed for lifting elements from Ninja Scroll. However, the latter film is infinitely more entertaining, as well as easier to follow. "Kabuto" seems to be the second installation in a short series (if so, I'd hate to see the first) that follows the adventures of Kabuto, a ninja/ronin from the Tengu school. Unfortunately, what exists of the plot is mired down in explication involving long names and lots of running.
Far be it from me to criticize an anime for having a back story; I loved the half-fictional settings of Ninja Scroll and Berserk, and yet "Kabuto" lacks the sense of scale of either. Moreover, its fights consist of the horribly typical lines-behind-a-character followed by a strobe flash and severed limbs. Most scenes are hard to follow, from the opening bit with ravens to later bits of wushu-style martial arts/magic.
Perhaps it can be excused for its age, but "Kabuto" is no more than a failed attempt at anime, no more and no less. If you're looking for a good film, avoid this.
"RAVEN TENGU KABUTO: Tale of the Golden-Eyed Beast" was, unfortunately, made in 1992, and thus can't quite be blamed for lifting elements from Ninja Scroll. However, the latter film is infinitely more entertaining, as well as easier to follow. "Kabuto" seems to be the second installation in a short series (if so, I'd hate to see the first) that follows the adventures of Kabuto, a ninja/ronin from the Tengu school. Unfortunately, what exists of the plot is mired down in explication involving long names and lots of running.
Far be it from me to criticize an anime for having a back story; I loved the half-fictional settings of Ninja Scroll and Berserk, and yet "Kabuto" lacks the sense of scale of either. Moreover, its fights consist of the horribly typical lines-behind-a-character followed by a strobe flash and severed limbs. Most scenes are hard to follow, from the opening bit with ravens to later bits of wushu-style martial arts/magic.
Perhaps it can be excused for its age, but "Kabuto" is no more than a failed attempt at anime, no more and no less. If you're looking for a good film, avoid this.
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