Sengoku Youko

Satoshi Mizukami's unique storytelling captivates readers. He crafts intricate worlds filled with characters driven by strong, personal desires. These characters, with their conflicting goals, create the story's momentum, not some preordained plot. Unlike some dark fantasy, Mizukami avoids clear-cut heroes and villains. Instead, he presents individuals with diverse values clashing in a relatable way. It's like a heartwarming Game of Thrones - you'll find yourself invested in the entire cast, even those who oppose the protagonists.

While Sengoku Youko's animation by White Fox isn't top-notch and takes shortcuts, the team clearly cares about the project. Surprisingly, it's a great adaptation for a lesser-known manga. The studio respects the source material and even improves upon it in some ways. The beginning is a bit rough due to the manga's pacing and needing to condense a lot of story, but things pick up by the middle. The soundtrack by Evan Call is excellent, and the opening theme is a standout from this season.