Ronin Warriors: The New Legend of the Armors - A Divisive Return

There are anime that have defined an era and a generation, becoming an indelible part of the collective imagination. Ronin Warriors, created in 1988 by Sunrise, blended the pseudo-medieval aesthetic of legendary Japanese warriors with mystical-technological armors reminiscent of another great contemporary cult, Saint Seiya, with slight shonen suggestions and an at times overflowing sense of epic. The thirty-nine episodes of the classic series, which seemed many more to a child at the time due to frequent looped broadcasts, had garnered a considerable niche of fans, so much so that two OAVs were later made to continue their adventures.

Those five teenagers with legendary armors have become cult icons, with more or less refined models and action figures that have carried on their myth over the years. There was therefore much anticipation regarding the announcement of a new project concerning the franchise, and the first trailers already hinted at a considerable departure from the original work. Now that the first episode is available on Anime Generation and announced on Crunchyroll, let's find out what to expect from this new incarnation of the saga.

Ronin Warriors: Wiping Away the Memory

The prologue, partially echoing the premises of the first historic 1980s episode, immediately lays the narrative groundwork: a unit of governmental Samurai Troopers, wearing the under-armors that fans know well, responds to a demonic invasion in the heart of crowded Shinjuku. Arago has returned after thirty-five years of dormancy, intent on subjugating all of Japan: the demons at his disposal are ruthless and kill innocents as if it were nothing, with the intervention of the samurai proving to be a failed endeavor. And here's the first surprise, with the presumed protagonists actually being "puppets," chosen exclusively for their appearance and to win public sympathy.

One of the villains is captured and turns out to be a human being, destined to be a turning point for those who will soon become the new samurai. All while the forces of Evil continue relentlessly to attack Earth without encountering any resistance...

A Reboot Without Half Measures

Directed by Yichi Fujita, a veteran responsible for Gintama and Mr. Osomatsu, the series presents itself with the declared ambition to change the rules and not limit itself to bringing the old heroes back to the screen in an updated version, but to radically deconstruct the original myth through a borderline narrative with an almost satirical tone, which precisely demystifies what is still alive in the memories of those who loved its predecessor. And precisely for this reason, Ronin Warriors: The New Legend of the Armors is unsettling from this pilot episode, which will push a good part of the audience not to continue watching. With references to other key works of Japanese animation, with the element of government control over very young "chosen ones" that feels very much like Evangelion.

The violence, albeit in an almost splatter form and never disturbing, characterizes this return: dismemberments, severed heads, disemboweled bodies, and so on. And the brand new protagonists, as mentioned, subvert expectations, proving to be spoiled kids who only look out for their own gain. It is clear that from the second episode onwards, those who will actually be worthy of wearing the armors will arrive, but the very choice of field for the figure of the one who will have to wear the charismatic power of fire, and thus take on the burden of the main hero, makes it clear that ambiguity will be a constant in this first season.

From a visual point of view, the operation makes courageous choices, with the vivid colors of the series literally exploding from the screen and giving the series a strong visual appeal, with the added bonus of making the 2D and 3D elements of the action blend naturally. Some dynamic poses then look directly to the historical mythology of the old samurai and the design of the armors themselves cannot but bring a tear of nostalgia. 

It's hard to say whether the radical change in tone and atmosphere will benefit or harm the public's renewed interest in the franchise, but we can certainly say that it will mark a clear distinction between those who appreciated the courage to dare outside the box, even at the cost of alienating a consolidated fanbase, and those who are firmly anchored to the more canonical values of the classic series: will Justice, Wisdom, Trust, Determination, and Sensitivity win this time too?