Kengan Ashura
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Kengan Ashura
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kengan Ashura is an action martial arts themed anime series based on the manga series of the same name. Fighters in the Kengan Association represent corporations in illegal underground fight rings in order to resolve conflicts between companies over contracts. Viewers can expect to see large amounts of violence and scary imagery as characters face off in brutal and bloody fights. Fighters are shown getting their bones broken and dislocated, stomped on, beaten and bloodied, some fighters even die from their injuries. There is some partial nudity and sexual content, including a scene with a man and woman in bed moaning, although no private parts are shown. There is also a lot of strong language; "s--t," "p---y," "a--hole," are used throughout. Spectators are shown smoking and drinking while betting on the fights.
What's the Story?
Based on the manga series by Sandrovich Yabako and Daromeon, KENGAN ASHURA is an anime about the fighters that compete in underground fighting matches, these "Kengan Matches" are run by the Kengan Association, a shadowy organization of powerful Japanese corporations and merchants that have used violence to resolve their disputes for hundreds of years. Tokita Ohma (voiced by Kaiji Tang) is an up-and-coming fighter with a lust for battle who is chosen by the Nogi Group to represent them in Kengan Matches. Tokita decides to participate in these underground fights because he desires the chance to face off against the world's strongest opponents, while the Nogi Group have their own ambitions.
Is It Any Good?
Fighting prowess determines everything in this underground fight world with high-stakes and violent action. Kengan Ashura has an easy to follow and fast-paced story that quickly leads its audience right into the thrill of the Kengan Matches and it keeps its attention there. The fights are violent and entertaining, each fighter has a unique fighting style and set of skills that makes each match unique and memorable. The choreography of these fight scenes is well done, however, there are some moments where the characters and fights can seem rather stiff and clunky because of the show's animation style. It's primarily 3D with some 2D animation mixed in; some of the transitions between these can be jarring at times but overall, the action remains fluid enough to still be very immersive. Anyone who likes martial arts action and gritty fight scenes will likely find something to enjoy in Kengan Ashura, but you do have to be mature enough to handle the violent content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of using violence to solve conflicts, why do the corporations resort to this kind of resolution?
Spectators are shown betting on the outcome of the fights. What are the harmful effects of gambling and why is gambling so serious?
Families can also talk about the graphic violence in this anime. How do depictions of animated violence compare to depictions of live action violence, and what effect do these depictions have in the real world?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 31, 2019
- Cast: Kaiji Tang, Keith Silverstein, Griffin Puatu
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Action
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: December 2, 2022
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