Intrigue in the Bakumatsu – Irohanihoheto (幕末機関説 いろはにほへと) is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series, created by Ryōsuke Takahashi and Sunrise, with character designs by Yusuke Kozaki. The series follows Yojiro Akizuki, the bearer of the legendary Moon Tear Sword, who is on a mission to seal a supernatural object known as the Head of the Conqueror, which has now appeared during the Boshin War. Yojiro will not rest until his mission is fulfilled, no matter what or who gets in his way.

Plot

The series is set in the Bakumatsu era, with the Shogunate being in its final years, and war fast approaching. When Yojiro Akizuki, a dark and mysterious mercenary, nears something supernatural with some kind of importance to him, the ornament on the end of his sword hilt waves in its direction, his eyes glow mysteriously, and he is driven to go after it. He comes across a traveling theater group who is out for revenge for the killing of the parents of the group's leader, and whose mysterious playwright likes to secretly help along events of history. Yojiro joins them to lend them his skill against their enemies, while dark conspiracy continues to follow behind him.

Characters

Main characters

Yuyama Troupe

Shogunate and Imperial forces

Jubei's faction

Village of Koma

Enomoto's fleet

Elite British soldiers

Other characters

Anime

The series was broadcast between October 6, 2006, and April 6, 2007, on the Japanese Internet streaming channel, GyaO. The opening theme is "Kōya Ruten" (荒野流転) by FictionJunction Yuuka while the ending theme is "Ai no Tsurugi" (愛の剣) by Takako & The Crazy Boys. The anime is licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, and they released the series to Blu-ray and DVD on September 4, 2012, for episodes 1-13 and November 27, 2012, for episodes 14–26.

Episodes