The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 review: Perfect combination of exposition and plot progression

Modified Oct 22, 2024 02:30 GMT

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 review (Image via Maho Films)

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 was released on October 19, 2024, and the response was positive overall. The series is set in Japan, at a time when the rift between Samurai and Ronin grew substantially.

The first episode was slightly slow-paced because of the exposition that had to be done. However, it included a decent amount of action to give fans a taste of what’s to come in the subsequent episodes.

The arty style was quite pleasing to the eye since it followed a design language that resembled the anime seen in the ‘90s. Fans hope to see such consistency for the remainder of the series.

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 review: Well-executed exposition

Hijakata and Nio as seen in the anime series (Image via Maho Film)

Many anime titles suffer from being unable to carry out exposition without boring the audience. Exposition is quite important since the director must have sufficient information and pack it in a way that is easy for viewers to understand. If little information is provided, viewers will not have the context of the subsequent events, which could impair their viewing experience.

If massive amounts of information are dumped outright, the viewer could potentially get bored. Therefore, the director/writer must find the sweet spot and provide just enough information for fans to follow the story but hide other elements to create a sense of mystery.

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 review: Decent plot progression for the first episode

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Another reason The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 was enjoyable was how it progressed towards the concluding moments. Viewers were first introduced to the Ronins, who made their way into Kyoto and enjoyed their meals in a small restaurant where Nio worked.

Hijikata and Soji were introduced as just and caring individuals. However, their reputation preceded them, and the townsfolk knew about their violent tendencies. In the same episode, we can see that the duo uses Nio and Iroha for their mission. They wanted to investigate the kidnappers who have run rampant. They let Nio and Iroha roam the streets when it was dark, which led to the kidnappers attempting to take the kids away.

They could neutralize the threat, as shown in The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1. Furthermore, they also gave fans a glimpse into the group’s true goal. The first episode featured a fight ,and Nio ultimately joined the Ronin group. This was considerable plot progression and action for the first episode.

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 review: Promising start from a technical standpoint

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The animation in The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 was quite consistent and aesthetically pleasing. There weren’t any moments that excited viewers drastically. However, there weren’t any glaring issues in the first episode.

If the animation studio can maintain these standards, fans are in for an enjoyable first season. The voice acting was excellent, and the overall sound design was on par with the current standards seen in the anime. From a technical standpoint, the anime didn’t show signs of massive problems that would impair the overall viewing experience.

Conclusion

The Blue Wolves of Mibu episode 1 was off to a promising start. The art style varied from what we see in modern anime titles, which was refreshing. Furthermore, the episode had good pacing, which kept the viewer engaged during the episode. Fans are excited to see the adventures that Nio will embark on now that he is one of the Miburo.

Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2024 progresses.

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Edited by Ivanna Lalsangzuali