DVD Review: ‘Blade of the Phantom Master: Shin Angyo Onshi’

‘Blade of the Phantom Master: Shin Angyo Onshi’ is one Anime feature that will have you wondering what the hell you were watching, while simultaneously asking why the heck wasn’t this made into a series instead of a stand-alone feature.

The story begins with a wandering nomad, named Munsu, who just happens to be the last Amen Osa, a secret army tasked with protecting the Jushin Empire. Unfortunately, the Jushin Empire is no more, and now the world has been overcome with zombies, beasts and sadists. The reason for the fall of the empire or the overwhelming presence of death, will hardly be explained in this feature film. However, you’ll still be drawn into the gunslinging action as a cynical Munsu wages war on the undead.

Don’t be fooled though. Although the Amen Osa once protected the kingdom, the group’s last survivor unexplainably has no interest in helping others. In fact, the opening scene involves a boy, seeking to become an Amen Osa, who Munsu uses to make a tactical escape.

You may not grow to like Munsu during the course of this movie, but you will appreciate the cell animation used to execute the film’s numerous firefights and blood baths.

‘Blade of the Phantom Master: Shin Angyo Onshi’ is one film that deserved to either be made into a trilogy or mini-series. Limiting this Manga translation to a feature film severely hurts the plot and will leave most viewers in the dark, as the back-story is quickly glossed over.

Fans of the original Manga will get a kick out of watching this OVA, but new viewers will want to lay their hands on the Manga first, to truly appreciate this series.

Bonus Features:
- Making of Video
- Storyboards
- Interviews with the Japanese Cast