Blade & Soul

Watch Blade & Soul

  • TV-MA
  • 2014
  • 1 Season
  • 6.1  (272)

Blade & Soul is a Japanese animated television series based on a Korean fantasy martial arts massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) of the same name. The anime was produced by studio Gonzo, directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki, and written by Atsuhiro Tomioka. It premiered on April 3, 2014, and ran for 13 episodes.

The show is set in a world where humans coexist with anthropomorphic animals and creatures of supernatural powers. The story follows a young girl named Alka, who is a skilled assassin seeking revenge against the culprits responsible for killing her master. Throughout the series, she faces many challenges and encounters with several characters.

Alka is a beautiful and enigmatic warrior, who has been raised and trained as an assassin since childhood. Her lethal skills are unmatched, and she is feared by many. She has a cool demeanor, rarely shows her emotions, and has a solemn expression most of the time. Her quest for revenge has left her isolated and emotionally distant. Through the series, she learns to open up and trust others.

The show also introduces us to several other characters who have their own stories and agendas. Among them is the charming and charismatic swordsman, Yuudai, who initially appears to be just another assassin, but gradually, we learn that he has a deeper connection with Alka.

Another significant character is the healer, Sana, who runs a small clinic and is keen to help anyone in need. She is kind and caring and has a soft spot for Alka. Sana is also the mentor of a young thief named Mimi, who forms a strong bond with Alka and becomes her constant companion throughout the series.

The main antagonist of the show is the Empire, which is led by the ruthless and cunning Lady Elle, who will stop at nothing to maintain her rule. She is a powerful and confident leader, who is not afraid to make difficult decisions, even if it means sacrificing her own people. Her loyal servant, Jin Varrel, is a skilled swordsman, who is sent to capture Alka, but soon finds himself questioning the Empire's motives.

The plot of the show is centered around the entangling alliances and conflicts between the various factions. Alka's quest for vengeance against her former comrades leads her to cross paths with several characters, each with their own agenda, motivations, and histories. There is a constant struggle between those who seek power and control and those who want to protect the innocent and live in peace.

The animations in Blade & Soul are impressive, with detailed backgrounds and smooth character movements. The fight scenes are well choreographed, and the use of magic and supernatural powers adds excitement and intrigue to the battles. The character designs are unique and diverse, with each character having their own personality and appearance.

The sound design is equally impressive, with a soundtrack that intensifies the mood of each scene. The voice actors deliver their lines with passion and conviction, bringing the characters to life.

Overall, Blade & Soul is an entertaining anime with an interesting storyline, fleshed-out characters, and impressive animations. While it is not without its flaws, such as pacing issues and a confusing plot, the show managed to keep its audience engaged and invested in the characters. It is a must-watch for fans of martial arts, fantasy, and action anime.

Blade & Soul is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between May 4, 2014 and on Anime Network

Blade & Soul
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Seasons
E 13
13. E 13
June 26, 2014
Hazuki wins a drinking contest, and gets a treasure map showing the location of eternal beauty. Karen also gets a map from a person staying at her inn, and she heads towards a lone island in the southern sea. Pia claims that it's totally a fake, but Karen says it might be fun to search for some treasure. Loana ends up coming in search of the treasure too...
E 12
12. E 12
June 19, 2014
Jin Varrel stands before Alka once again. Karen, Hazuki, Loana fight against Jin, as Alka is no longer to fight, but they stand no match against her. Alka decides to end this once and for all. The fight continues, with no end in sight, but then Jin attacks Alka with a full blast of her Impurity...
E 11
11. E 11
June 12, 2014
Alka suffers thinking back on everyone's words, which she had originally thought were meaningless. She returns to the Village of the Sword. Karen searches for Alka with Hazuki and Loana, but Jin Varrel seems to be approaching as well.
E 10
10. E 10
June 5, 2014
Alka carries deep wounds because of Karen, and then runs into Hayate and his wife Hana. Hana realizes Alka is under distress, but both Hana and Hayate realize that Alka is related to something that happened to their daughter who died...
Moon
9. Moon
May 29, 2014
Alka doesn't know what to do anymore, and so Karen invites her to work at her shop. She learns what to do, and becomes close friends with Miharu. Alka starts to become more human, and realizes there's a world out there she didn't know. But she finds her lives shatter by someone.
Sky
8. Sky
May 22, 2014
Yuu, appears in front of Alka, poisoned by the Impurity. He asks where Master Hon is and then collapses due to hunger. Alka takes him to the Pleasure Gang base, and Alka takes care of him. While talking with Yuu, Alka starts to understand Master Hon's teachings.
Time
7. Time
May 15, 2014
Alka runs into Moriii again, and finds her and others collected in a place where everyone carries some sort of past pain. Morii seems like she changed, and now speaks strangely. A woman, which Morii calls mother, wants to hold a ritual to help Alka, but...
Dream
6. Dream
May 9, 2014
Yuu joins an anti-gorilla force and doesn't like military action, however all the other members want to take the fight to the Empire. Jin commands the Flower Monks to set up camp to take them out. Yuu wants to stop the fight from happening, so he goes to talk to Jin...
Flower
5. Flower
May 1, 2014
Shou, a man who hates the Heaven's Spirits, hires Alka as a bodyguard and then uses her to try to persuade a village to stop producing them. However, this village depends on the Heaven's Spirits, and Shou's pleas fall on deft ears. Shou creates a plan to help things go his way...
Sword
4. Sword
April 24, 2014
Seto and Pia work by collecting garbage around the red light district. They invite Alka into their house, as it seems she has lost her sight. She remembers Master Hon's teaching. One day Seto is attacked and he ends up killing his attacker and selling his goods.
Revenge
3. Revenge
April 17, 2014
Alka and Hazuki continue to fight and run into the Pleasure Gang. Dan Loana, the leader of the gang, tells Alka that she's trying to take revenge against Jin. She tries to explain that revenge is about an emotion, not a rule, and uses Alka as bait to lure Jin in.
Desire
2. Desire
April 10, 2014
Alak persists on her journey, finding herself in a new town with a local mercenary as a "drinking" buddy while there one too many people notice the distinctive tattoo of the Clan of the Sword.
Road
1. Road
May 4, 2014
Alka is on the run after being accused of killing her own Master by the Palam Empire. While on the run, she meets a village merchant who, impressed with her skills, hires her for protection.
Description
Where to Watch Blade & Soul
Blade & Soul is available for streaming on the Anime Network website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Blade & Soul on demand at Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    May 4, 2014
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (272)