Do you do it for family or for your beliefs?
- Episodes : 13
- Genre : Action, Adventure, Demons, Magic, Martial Arts, Fantasy
- Airing Date : October 2018 - December 2018
- Studios : Studio Deen
Contains Spoilers
Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki Introduction
Sisters Yin and Ning are wanderers who make money through odd jobs and begging after they lost their homes following an attack by the Taibai Empire. They merely try to survive despite Ning having lost both her arms. One day, Yin finds a sword which gives her amazing combat skills and the help of a spirit named Yun. Their childhood friend, Zhao, has been enslaved by the Taibai Empire and has befriended a young girl who turns out to be the Empress.
1. Overall Plot
The overarching plot in Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki of survival vs ambition really sets a great foreground for more of the other plots to build on. We get to see Zhao and how his ambition changes him vs how Ning and Yin merely want to survive, but they find themselves in the middle of the rebellion. The plot is complicated, but not overly so, which makes for a good watch that doesn’t drain you on a busy work day.
2. Female Dominated
If you are looking for an anime that screams “girl power” like that of Princess Principal and Release the Spyce, you do get a lot of girl power in Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki. The Empress is the one leading the rebellion despite being a young girl. Then there’s Ning, who may be Yin’s younger sister, but she’s quite skilled fighting with just her feet alone. Ning is quite the killer with real killer instinct when she needs it. Then there’s Yin who is a special individual with all of the greatest powers in the anime and a tender heart to boot!
1. Animation Style
Chinese anime usually tend to have rather terrible animation. While Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki won’t be winning best animation of the year, it isn’t completely awful. However, there are times when you are watching the anime and the animation just completely throws you off by how awkward some movements and frames appear. It can get really grating, especially during action scenes.
2. Incestuous Undertones
There’s a lot of talk about family in Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki starting with the actual sisterhood between Yin and Ning to the weird adoptive rebel family. Zhao even becomes a sort of older brother to the Empress. While there is no issue with adoptive families or false siblinghood, many of these relationships have romantic feelings lying underneath that complicates everything throughout the story due to feelings of possessiveness. This can be completely frustrating considering how young some of the characters are, manifesting in childish anger and jealousy.
Final Thoughts
As a Chinese anime, Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki outdoes itself and surpasses our expectations. As a series overall, it still has its own charm that may appeal. It’s not going to win any awards, but Ken En Ken: Aoi Kagayaki is an enjoyable series that changed our perception on what a Chinese anime can do in the world of Japanese animation.
Author: Jenangelx3
