Souten Kouro

[Kraco]

"China 2A.D.: the corrupting Han Dynasty has thrown the entire country into chaos. Peasants revolt against the government. Into such an age, the ruthless and infamous hero, Cao Cao Mengde is born. Destroying old customs and values, he tries to unite China, with a band of promising and intellectual followers, handpicked for their individual talents and potential. Generally thought a villain, Cao Cao Mengde is portrayed as a hero in this story, which focuses on what kind of person he actually was. There are two other protagonists: Liu Bei Xuande and Sun Quan Zhongmou. Liu is a man of high morals and infinite potential. His servant, Zhuge Kongming is a mysterious man, who helps Liu to become a king who is loved by millions. Sun is the third descendant of the Sun family. A young and immature king also comes into the picture, creating more chaos. This is a Tale of the Three Kingdoms ("Sanguozhi") in which these three men rage war throughout China." -Manga Updates

AniDB
ANN
Official

Episode 1 HD - Lunar
Episode 1 xvid - Lunar



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I found this series rather fascinating. The description says the main character is basically a villain, and you can already see that in a manner of speaking in this first episode. He looks like he has the mentality of a fanatic, believing ardently in himself and his own way. It was nice to watch, because he was no Suzaku of Code Geass (and he's voiced by Mamoru Miyano; Light Yagami, Setsuna F. Seiei). The action was bloody and merciless, no problems there, either, which is important considering the historical setting. I think I'll keep watching this, hoping they will have plenty of events explaining why this particular character earned the title of a villain.

[Penner]

Bloody and merciless violence?
Main character a villain?

Nuff' said, will download.

[animus]

How's the art/animation? That preview screen looks like the arts a bit on the crude side.

[Kraco]

The art is a bit hard to really judge. It's no usual shounen action fare, for sure. The main character himself has a somewhat strange countenance in my opinion (not altogether evident in that screenshot). Generally the style and art is closer to some seinen shows (not overly cute), though enemy grunts seem often enough drawn very ugly or caricatural. Animation, in action scenes, was half way between fluent and artsy. No problems as such with the animation otherwise.

[David75]

I do not think I'm interrested in that one after watching ep 1.
Art seems to take some bits from anime from the 90's, but I'm not too sure.
In a way, feels like Hokuto no Ken, but one could argue it's a stretch.

[Kraco]

Episode 2 - Lunar
Episode 2 xvid - Lunar
Episode 3 - Lunar
Episode 3 xvid - Lunar

After three episodes this continues as a really interesting series, even if I'm the only one here watching this. Even though it's fictional, the accuracy of the historical setting seem quite believable, and above all the main character kicks ass in his own way. Fearless, ruthless, and straight-forward.

[Xelbair]

Nope you are not the only one, I'm watching it too - but gotwoot is my main source for releases and i didn't saw it on mininova - thanks Kraco for the links.

[Kraco]

You should frequent Tokyotosho like the rest of us, Xelbair. Or if you hate Tokyotosho for some reason, at least Bakaupdates, though it's somewhat slow and at least in the past didn't list both the SD and HD release versions, only the SD. Dunno how it's now, since I only keep checking Tokyotosho.

[Kraco]

Despite having Light's VA, Cao Cao reminds me a lot more of Lelouch:

Episode 4 - Lunar
Episode 4 xvid - Lunar

[Kraco]

All under the heaven:

Episode 5v2 - Lunar
Episode 5 xvid - Lunar



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In some ways this show reminds me also of Guin Saga, only with lots of politics and intrigue, alliances and betrayals. The characters and actions are a bit similar, kind of straight-forward, theatrical. Though even more so in this show. I like "guided by the heaven" characters in general. Characters with a fate, even if they don't know it themselves. It drives them towards something, gives them selfconfidence and a goal, unlike in so many generic shows out there.

Edit: Release link switched to version 2.

[Besu]

Picking the torrent up for those that might have missed it

Lunar is at eps 7

H.264
Episode 6
Episode 7

Xvid
Episode 6
Episode 7

[digitalrurouni]

Just stumbled on to this thread. I am downloading all 7 episodes. I must say you guys' recommendations usually don't disappoint so I am looking forward to this show.

[Xelbair]

Show is really good if you are into Three Kingdoms era of China.

[Pandadice]

episodes 8 and 9 are out

[Lunar] Souten Kouro - 08 (720p H.264) [5342C117].mkv
[Lunar] Souten Kouro - 08 (XviD) [E998EA5D].avi

[Lunar] Souten Kouro - 09 (720p H.264) [8ACE6834].mkv
[Lunar] Souten Kouro - 09 (XviD) [74CF1488].avi

[Besu]

Episode 10 by okashii

Episode 11 by okashii

[Besu]

Episode 12 by okashii

26 will be the last episode and all raw are out. It just the wait for somebody to sub them.

[Sapphire]

[GotWoot] 1 - 5

[IchimaruGin]

Could anybody come on and seed [GotWoot] 1 - 5? I've been stuck at 94% for almost a week now >.>

[Kraco]

Episodes 6-10 - GotWoot
Episode 11 - GotWoot-Doutei
Episodes 12-14 - GoD
Episode 15 - GoD
Episode 16 - GoD



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Continues really strongly. New characters keep coming in, old ones, no matter how powerful they appeared, meet sudden ends. I can never really predict at all where this is going next, which is a jolly good thing, naturally. Cao Cao's plans are very varied and nicely surprising, and he has lost none of his cool factor or ruthlessness. I never get bored of the scenes where his allies or enemies expect him to do one thing, but he does something completely different smiling smugly. Sometimes things fail to go according to his plans or are otherwise beyond his control, adding realism to the story. The different attitudes, values, and goals of the bigger characters also add spice to the action.