On a bright summer day, a bunch of kids runs to Nagakura-sensei, asking him for stories about the shinsengumi, the elite warriors of the last sword era, the troubled warring period of mid-18th Century Japan called the Bakumatsu. Every kid has heard of Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizo, and Okita the Prodigy, and each has a favorite. Today, though, the old master recalls other extraordinary fighters, ones unknown to history. But how could he ever forget the so-called three wolves, especially a certain white-haired kid? We fly over the heads of their silhouettes and jump back in time. Cue the opening. We’re in Kyoto, and spring has just begun. Two handsome swordsmen visit a local tavern, where war orphans Nio and Iroha Chirinu are in the care of the old innkeeper. Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Soji (actual historical characters, or so Wikipedia tells me!) are charming and friendly, but they belong to the Roshigumi, a group of Edo ronin of ill repute. As it turns out, they are there to stop a ring of human traffickers operating in Kyoto. At night, they display extraordinary skill as they accomplish their goal and save Nio and Midori. But the white-haired boy deduces something: These adults intentionally used them as bait, didn’t they?

Samurai and ronin have walked the twilight world of the Bakumatsu in many a masterful anime already, and I’m happy to say that Blue Miburo (or The Blue Wolves of Mibu if you go with the poetic manga title) has a lot going for it in that department. It promises honor, swords, tragedy, and brotherhood in spades. Then again, I see also glaring flaws that might ultimately drag it down. Firstly, the animation is stilted. When we get close to the characters, their faces are noticeably immobile, with only their mouths moving during an entire scene, as if they were wearing a mask. The fight scene also lacks movement, which could be fatal in a series about swordsmen. I find some of the character designs too similar, or not expressive enough. And finally, the most emotional moment of the episode feels a bit rushed, expressing some powerful ideas that could have used a bit more foreshadowing. Nevertheless, there are very compelling concepts here: forgotten heroes, warriors who are despised by those they protect, and change and agitation in the background. And the struggle in the heart of Nio, who feels for the common folk who are victimized in this war, but who also needs to be strong like a samurai, is a compelling one. I think that Blue Miburo deserves another episode at least: I hope the show overcomes its flaws and becomes a great one. It needs to up its game, though.

Blue Miburo can be streamed at Crunchyroll.