Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto

The series is set in the events that followed the aftermath of Ryoma Sakamoto's assassination. The hero of the series, Akizuki Yujiro, carries a sword which glows when it is near its supernatural quarry. The target which is known by the name of the "Lord's Head" apparently has something to do with the conflicts at the close of the Bakumatsu era. It is Akizuki's task to seal this head using the sword. Along the way he meets a theatre group led by Yuyama Kakunojo. The group's quest for revenge against one man inevitably ties up their destiny with Akizuki. Their playwright, Ibaragi Soutetsu, plays a key role in the series when he reveals his true motives.

The series is riddled with historical events that might confuse viewers who are not knowledgeable about this period in Japanese history. Granted, there is a narrator and the events don't weigh heavily on the outcome of Akizuki's quest. The building up of the tension is slow (for me at least) and Soutetsu's motives become obvious towards the middle of the series. Both Akizuki and Yuyama remained mysterious so there was no time for me to sympathize with their cause.

Akizuki's skills are overplayed. Confrontations are delayed and he couldn't live up to his reputation.  The concept of an vengeful spirit isn't bad but the series lacked something. I'm giving this 26-episode series a 6 out of 10 rating.

Literature of the Ancient Egyptians by E.A. Wallis Budge

The book is divided into 15 chapters discussing the literature of ancient Egypt, or at least those still extant. The bulk of the material here are writings related to the afterlife and the legends of the gods.

The first part introduces the forms of writing (hieroglyphic, hieratic, and demotic). Most of the texts are taken from inscriptions in and the scrolls from the tombs. The Pyramid texts, which has spells to ensure the deceased lives in the Tuat, are discussed.

The other chapters include the following: stories of magicians, the book of the dead (the objective of which is to help the deceased reach Sekhet Aaru and Sekhet Hetep), books of the dead in Graeco-Roman period (substitutes for book of the dead), historical literature, autobiographical literature, tales of travel and adventure, fairy tales, hymns to the gods, moral and philosophical literature, poetical compositions, and miscellaneous (mostly about the other world, spells and magic, etc.).

Two important chapters are also included: story of creation and the legends of the gods. The former retells how Nebertcher came into being and created the world while the latter comprises five stories about the gods and goddesses. These are: the flood, Ra's real name, Horus of Behutet and the winged disk, Khnemu and seven years' famine, wanderings of Isis, and Khensu-Nefer-Hetep and the princess of Bekhten.

Most of the selections are translations instead of condensed versions of the stories and which can sometimes be tedious. I recommend this to those who are already familiar of the cosmogony of Egyptian mythology or at least its major deities. This is a good introduction but it's not quite reader-friendly especially to those who are only moderately interested in myths and folklore.

I'm giving this book a 7 out of 10 rating.

Blade of the Immortal

Manji and Asano Rin are unusual companions. Nicknamed Killer of 100, Manji possesses a technique that makes him nearly invincible, thus the title of the series. While Rin, though strengthened by her will to avenge the murder of her parents, has no combat skills and always finds herself in trouble. She's seeking for the leader of the Itto-ryu Kagehisa Anotsu.

Rin is admirable enough in her determination to kill although several scenes tend to portray her as a sexual object when she's overcome by her opponent.

The fight scenes are not bad and at least they try to show the movements of the fighters instead of just blurred, one-hit, slow-mo encounters. Manji however isn't exactly a skillful fighter. He loves to boast and provoke the enemy but unfortunately, he can't always back up his words. He's still lucky though because he's almost impossible to kill.

The outcome of their quest seems uncertain so I don't recommend this to those who don't like cliffhanger endings.The story in itself is interesting and their enemies are formidable. I enjoyed their tandem although they're not exactly the most skillful pair you'll ever encounter. There's plenty of gore and sexual hints for those who are into anime of this genre.

I'm giving this 13-episode series a 7 out of 10 rating.

The Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge

This book discusses briefly the contents of the "doors" or chapters of the Book of the Dead. The descriptions of the 190 chapters are just overviews however. Readers who want to read them will find this book helpful only as an introduction.

Before the summaries of the contents are given, Budge introduces the reader to the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and judgment. There is a chapter describing what goes on when the deceased is given judgment by Osiris (the weighing of the ab or heart and interview with the gods) as well as a chapter about Thoth and his many functions.

Budge's writing is very easy to understand and the chapter on the Judgement of Osiris is the most interesting. I recommend this book to those who are interested in mythology in general and as an introduction to the Book of the Dead.