Ooku: The Inner Chambers is not what it seems. You may read the synopsis and think it's a girlboss reverse power fantasy, however the original mangaka, Fumi Yoshinaga, is smarter than that.
We follow the story of how Edo period Japan was affected by a rapidly spreading disease the effected only men. Killing 75% of the male population and leaving women to take up the roles that they once held. Even that of the shogun which is now being filled of the previous leader's daughter.
From that premise alone, some may turn up their nose. Oh, the world will just suddenly be happy because it's all led by women? No. No it won't. Because the men may have died but the patriarchy never left. Ooku allows us to explore what a world would be like if women were in the high power positions of men while acknowledging that the sexism built in society will never leave.
The first female shogun, Iemitsu does not get to live her own life. She does not get to live a life at all in fact. Her only purpose having been given to her is that of a baby making machine. She cannot love who she wants or even have the power to make decisions as a shogun. The women run the rice farms but at the same time they are still expected to be mothers, caretakers, cooks, and homemakers. Society has not changed beyond putting more of a burden on women.
The old lady, Kasuga, holds onto the ways of society before the disease spread. Hoping one day a man would take up the seat of shogun once again and terrorizing Iemitsu because of this. She valued that of a ghost before the person before her.
At the same time, the men also suffer from these patriarchal values. Our main character, Arikoto is forced to give up his monkhood to serve as a baby maker himself. Witnessing killings upon killings because of things out of his control. He as well as Iemitsu are no longer able to walk their own paths. They are both meant to be tools.
The way the anime navigated this story was done incredibly well. From the hour long first episode, you get pulled into the world of Ooku. As it unfolds, you can't help but be enraptured and horrified by the events that play out.
Mamoru Miyano stuns as Arikoto with some amazing voice work as always. His despair, his anger, his desperation is all felt so viscerally in every moment. Eriko Matsui does amazing job as Iemitsu as well. Her screams are filled with rage but also loneliness while she also conveys a great air of superiority.
I would love to give the anime a 10, but the only issue was the animation. At times stunning, at others it took me out of the moment. Several big emotional scenes were Miyano and Matsui are acting the hell out of their lines, the animation will be awkward and glitchy. The 3D animation also didn't blend well into the 2D like in the last scene of the series where it looked like PS2 graphics. I am usually not as harsh on animation but with how much emotion scenes make you feel only to laugh at poorly animated sequences is disappointing.
All in all, Ooku: The Inner Chambers is a series you CAN'T miss. The story and characters are extremely compelling, the music is beautiful, and it has one of the most interesting premises around. Then when you get hooked to the series, go read the manga! You got about 15 more volumes of the story to go.
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