As Basilisk opens, the audience is introduced to two families of ninja that have been feuding for 400 years: the Kouga and the Iga. An uneasy truce has been forced upon them, which has allowed their hatred to fester and build without release. But now, the retired shogun has mysteriously summoned the elders of the two clans, commanding them to demonstrate the capability of their people in an exhibition. The ensuing clash between the chosen envoys exposes clandestine power that proves terrifying in its scope, and the battle is halted at the brink of its conclusion. Instead of the trickle of blood from the loss of one or two lives in the demonstration, the shogun decrees a river of it will flow as the tribes of ninja are commanded to choose ten champions to decide which side will hold favor eternally.

With the names chosen, the leaders immediately dispatch their heralds to deliver word that the pact staying their blades has been dissolved. And emblematic of the relentless carnage of the series, death is not made to wait for long, as the elders proceed to assassinate each other. However, their dying words betray that the hatred between them may not be as pure as their murderous intent.

The choice between personal happiness and familial loyalty might seem facile to many raised in Western cultures, where the suggestion of a greater good invites contempt, but this was not always so. Even today, the stories of forbidden romance pitting the desires of love against the obligations of family persist as the most endearing tales of affection. With the bloody prologue concluded, the viewer is given a fleeting reprieve from the violent path ahead as it glimpses the love denied the two fallen warriors, along with a foreshadowing that a similar fate may befall their grandchildren.

Gennosuke and Obero, chosen by their grandparents as the next leaders of their respective clans, care little for what divides their kin. Having fallen deeply in love during the transient peace, they hope a marriage between them can close old wounds and create lasting tranquility. While their reverie is allowed to linger, unbeknownst to them, the war between their peoples begins.

A tally of the fallen is presented at the start of each episode, and it isn't long before the names crossed out in blood begin to accumulate. The complex bonds between siblings, lovers and comrades are woven throughout, but it is a mistake to become emotionally attached to the characters, as even the most appealing are not likely to survive long.

To remain unknown is to remain unconquerable, and the mystery of each individual's power is carefully played out, and proves to be integral to their approach to battle. One of the first casualties serves to reinforce this lesson, as the audience is reminded that ninja are not samurai, and their lives often depend on their arts remaining secret. For the most part, the abilities are relatively novel, not just recycled ideas borrowed from other stories.

Hatred builds and the motivations of revenge become more personal than ever, though some begin to wonder if the hostility is truly justified. When the conflict is finally exposed to Gennosuke and Obero, the two accept their duty, but it is clear the true battle of these young hearts lies within.

As the numbers dwindle, the intrigue about the endgame intensifies, and the true impetus behind all the bloodshed is revealed. By this point, the purpose of it all seems almost insignificant, as the viewer has become too enthralled in their curiosity of how the story of Gennosuke and Obero will conclude to care much about the revelation. While the end of the story tragically befits how it began, the struggles and characters between will captivate the audience as they fruitlessly hope for kinder fates for the lives ended prematurely.

As mentioned previously, the action is unrelenting, and despite being a respectable 24 episodes in length, the series sometimes feels rushed. For those who hold disdain for the filler or protracted events in series like Naruto or Bleach, Basilisk will be a breath of fresh air. While it does contain some sexually explicit content, it is a highly recommended title for those who enjoy action.