Ōoku: The Inner Chambers (anime series)
Review by Dennis D. McDonald
I’m a sucker for well-made alternate histories. This one makes the grade.
It’s the Edo period in Japan. A mysterious plague decimates the male population. Women take over running the country. The plague’s impact extends to the Shogun’s household where there now is a male harem—the Ōoku of the title—in attendance to the female Shogun. Palace intrigue ensues.
Based on just this outline you might think this was going to be just another harem-heavy comedy with fan service, adolescent jokes, and stale rom-com situations.
You would be mistaken. This series is actually an extended and sophisticated exploration of a range of serious themes such as gender identity, role reversal, sexual politics, and economic discrimination. If you like serious themes uniquely addressed, you should check this one out.
Review copyright (c) 2023 by Dennis D. McDonald