Hideo Kojima has been blown away by an anime that almost no one had on their radar: “Nippon Sangoku.” The legendary Japanese director has made some remarks that, honestly, I can agree with: it’s a production with incredible power.
Hideo Kojima has nothing but praise for Nippon Sangoku
Hideo Kojima is no stranger to the anime industry, and in fact, he has previously become a huge fan of a phenomenon like “Lycoris Recoil.” Now, I’ll leave you with the comments Kojima-san has shared on his social media, which are nothing but praise for “Nippon Sangoku”:
“While browsing my streaming services, I ended up watching the first episode of an anime that caught my eye. I had only seen the title before in one of the manga sections at bookstores. Nippon Sangoku—what an incredible anime. I’m honestly speechless… it’s so intense and powerful. I’m definitely going to keep watching it… or maybe I should switch to the manga instead.”
Whether you stick with the anime (which is what I’m going to do) or switch to the manga, one thing is clear: Hideo Kojima is genuinely impressed by “Nippon Sangoku.” And honestly, it’s no surprise. Although it’s not the kind of series that usually stands out in the anime world, it’s easy to pinpoint a number of very basic elements in the work that explain why even someone like Kojima-san has been captivated by the magic of “Nippon Sangoku.”
Nippon Sangoku, a Different Kind of Anime
“Different” is a term that must be used with caution, but in the case of “Nippon Sangoku,” I think it’s more than justified. That starts, after all, with an artistic direction that clashes sharply with other anime. Personally, on more than one occasion, it has reminded me of the more realistic style of some American comics.
But beyond its visual design, the truth is that “Nippon Sangoku” wins you over from the very first moment with its story. For in a Japan that has been thrust back into an era of internal military conflict in a semi-postapocalyptic future, a protagonist emerges who begins his journey in the wake of a devastating personal tragedy.
But it is around this figure that an epic tale unfolds. With a strong vibe reminiscent of “Kingdom,” we follow a young man eager to change the world, who in the process quickly crosses paths with another promising young man who also harbors aspirations as epic as his own. Their journey has only just begun, but it’s already clear that something grand awaits us.
In case it wasn’t clear, I personally also recommend “Nippon Sangoku.” It’s not an anime you’ll easily forget. It’s one of those shows that, after just a single episode, makes it clear they’re aiming for something far greater than the average. And these days, that’s worth its weight in gold.
