Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (風まかせ月影蘭) is an animated action comedy written and directed by Akitaro Daichi, and produced by Madhouse Studios. The television series follows Ran and Meow, two wanderers who face all sorts of antagonists in Tokugawa Japan. The series started airing on WOWOW. Afterwards, it aired as Ran: The Samurai Girl on Animax Latin America and Animax Asia, which also broadcast Bandai's dub across Southeast Asia and South Asia. The series is licensed in North America by Bandai Entertainment. The anime premiered on Tubi.

Plot

Tsukikage Ran comprises thirteen self-contained stories. The series follows characters Ran and Meow into a new town, where they encounter some kind of wrongdoing. Every episode climaxes with a sword fight featuring the protagonist, sometimes aided by Meow's martial arts prowess.

Characters

Main characters

Other characters

Production

Tsukikage Ran is inspired by chanbara series like 1965's Su-ronin Tsukikage Hyogo. While it remains faithful to the genre, it is infused with Akitaro Daichi's distinctive style. The episodes were scripted by first thinking of a title and writing a plot about it. As many ideas were not used, director Daichi notes an unproduced episode where the protagonists "fight over udon or soba" noodles. The score was composed by Toshihiko Sahashi. The opening theme song Kazemakase ("Leave it to the wind" or "Carried by the Wind") is an enka ballad performed by Akemi Misawa. The ending theme Kazemakase 2 ("Leave it to the wind 2") is performed by Reiko Yasuhara.

Staff

Media

Episodes

Drama CD

Kazemakase Tsukikage Ran CD-neta ni Tottoita (VICL-60545) is an audio drama released May 24, 2000 by Victor Entertainment. It features Ayako Kawasumi as the voice of Princess Tama.

Reception

Jacob Churosh of T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews gave the TV series 4 out of 5 stars stating, " It manages to be exciting and funny at the same time, and also offers an alternate perspective on the live-action samurai shows that seem to populate Japanese TV on a regular basis; in fact, it seems intended to parody them."