Golden Kamuy (2018)

[ゴールデンカムイ]

Season 1

Director: Hitoshi Nanba
Studio: Geno Studio
Starring: Chikahiro Kobayashi, Haruka Shiraishi, Kentaro Ito
Episodes: 12

Synopsis:
A veteran of the Russo-Japanese War panning for gold in Hokkaido learns of a map to a stolen cache of Ainu gold tattooed on the skins of escaped prisoners.

Impressions:
I'd seen ads for this series during its initial run, but it wasn't until it was recommended to me by a friend that I decided to check it out. This has a similar feel to a postbellum Western with ex-soldiers cast adrift seeking their fortune in the hinterlands, tensions with the indigenes, rebels looking to rekindle the war, and ruthless outlaws who will stop at nothing to turn a profit. The setting in terms of both time and place make for fertile ground for an interesting story and the author makes the most of it. I was quickly taken in by the bond that forms between the Japanese ex-soldier Sugimoto and the young Ainu hunter Asirpa. There's a lot of exploration of Ainu culture, especially cuisine. You'll get to explore all manner of wildlife in scenic Hokkaido... and how tasty they are. ^_^

Besides the main duo, there's a large cast of memorable characters and I was struck at how many seemingly incidental people end up having rather large recurring roles. The factions that form end up being rather fluid. Shifting alliances and backstabbery make up a large part of the drama. Another striking aspect is the sense of humor. Oftentimes it can get downright goofy, which makes for a sharp contrast with the series' more grim and gory moments. However, the balance and flow of comedy and drama is handled well and you never feel that one intrudes on the other.

The show is quite good and I would gladly recommend adding it to your collection.

Rating:
Own It