The Gist
There was a time when the Angyo Onshi or "Amen Osa" - Guardians of the People - were plentiful and traveled the land of Jushin, killing off evil regimes and keeping the residents safe. But now, all the Angyo Onshi are gone save one. Jushin has been destroyed. And he's back with vengence.
The History
Blade of the Phantom Master was originally produced as a manga/manhwa series in 2001. It was released in South Korea as Sinamhaengeosa and in Japan as Shin Angyo Onshi. The series was adapted into a full-length animated movie in 2004 in a rare collaboration between Japan and South Korea titled Phantom Master: Dark Hero from the Ruined Empire.
ADV acquired North American rights to the film in 2007 and then FUNimation Entertainment re-released the DVD in June, 2009.
ADV acquired North American rights to the film in 2007 and then FUNimation Entertainment re-released the DVD in June, 2009.
The Review
Blade of the Phantom Master is the story of Munsu, an "Amen Osa" ("angyo onshi" in the Japanese version) - the last of a secret army created by the King of Jushin to guard the land and its inhabitants.
Unfortunately, the army failed and Jushin fell, now ravaged by zombies, creatures and evil tyrants. In the midst of Jushin's collapse, Munsu falls into a state of unconsciousness and hovers between life and death. When he recovers, the King (also Munsu's best friend) is dead and Jushin is in chaos. Munsu essentially wanders the land looking for Aji Tae, the man he believes is responsible for the destruction of Jushin and the death of his friend.
There are of course, a few plot twists to this story and while I won't give everything away, I will tell you that Munsu is perhaps not exactly what he thought he was and there's more to Jushin's fall than initially revealed.
But what really makes Blade of the Phantom Master so gripping is the level of action throughout the movie. Munsu is a "third mahai, meaning he wears the medallion bearing three horses and thus, wields some pretty amazing powers. The result is some extremely intense battles, including gunfights, decapitations and even encounters with demon cannibals.
It's bloody, it's grisly and it's definitely not for the kiddos but if you want an anime that is "in-your-face", Blade of the Phantom Master is definitely it.
Unfortunately, the army failed and Jushin fell, now ravaged by zombies, creatures and evil tyrants. In the midst of Jushin's collapse, Munsu falls into a state of unconsciousness and hovers between life and death. When he recovers, the King (also Munsu's best friend) is dead and Jushin is in chaos. Munsu essentially wanders the land looking for Aji Tae, the man he believes is responsible for the destruction of Jushin and the death of his friend.
There are of course, a few plot twists to this story and while I won't give everything away, I will tell you that Munsu is perhaps not exactly what he thought he was and there's more to Jushin's fall than initially revealed.
But what really makes Blade of the Phantom Master so gripping is the level of action throughout the movie. Munsu is a "third mahai, meaning he wears the medallion bearing three horses and thus, wields some pretty amazing powers. The result is some extremely intense battles, including gunfights, decapitations and even encounters with demon cannibals.
It's bloody, it's grisly and it's definitely not for the kiddos but if you want an anime that is "in-your-face", Blade of the Phantom Master is definitely it.
Details
Release Date: June 30, 2009
Distributed by: FUNimation
Genres
action, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Distributed by: FUNimation
Genres
action, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA