Basilisk was created and illustrated by Masaki Segawa. It was published in Young Magazine Uppers from 2003 to 2004. The anime adaptation was produced by Gonzo and aired on 2005. The manga contained real images in the background but the characters are hand-drawn and bombastic.
Basilisk Plot:
Basilisk is about the Iga Tsubagakure clan and the Kouga Manjidani clan. The two clans have been warring for centuries until a cease fire was agreed on when they were both under the service of Ieyasu Tokugawa. Even then, the Iga and Kouga clans still hated each other.
Things become heated when Ieyasu stepped down from power and his son, Hidetada, takes his place. Hidetada’s sons are involved in a power struggle against each other and their dispute is tearing the Tokugawa Shogunate apart. To settle the power struggle, Ieyasu declares the cease fire between the Iga and Kouga over and order them to choose 10 warriors from each side to fight to the death and whichever clan has the surviving member would decide which son was to take over.
Before the declaration of the death match, Gennosuke (Kouga’s heir) and Oboro (Iga’s heir) were engaged in the hopes of stopping future conflicts between the two clans. They must decide whether to fight for their love or fight for their clan.
Basilisk Characters:
Oboro – Oboro is the heir of the Iga Tsubagakure and is the granddaughter of the Iga leader, Ogen. She was engaged with Gennosuke Kouga in the hopes of uniting the two clans. She also takes part in the fight against Kouga.
Gennosuke Kouga – Gennosuke is the heir of the Kouga clan and was adopted by Danjou Kouga. He is betrothed to Oboro and also takes part in the battle against the Iga Tsubagakure clan.
Ogen - Ogen is the Iga clan’s leader and is Oboro’s grandmother. She permits the marriage of Oboro to try and unite the two clans. When she was younger, she was engaged to Danjou.
Danjou Kouga – Danjou is the Kouga clan’s leader and Gennosuke’s grandfather. He permits Gennosuke to marry Oboro and also takes part in the fight against the Iga clan.
Tenzen Yakushiji – Tenzen is the second-in-command of the Iga clan and one of the ninjas who takes part in the battle against the Kouga clan. He forces his authority of the Iga clan to take over it after Ogen passes away.