The anime is known for its brutal and bloody battles, its unique and diverse ninja characters, and its tragic and heartbreaking ending. In this article, we will explore the meaning and symbolism of the basilisk ending, and why it is considered one of the most memorable and emotional endings in anime history.

What is a basilisk?

A basilisk is a mythical creature that is often depicted as a serpent or a dragon with a deadly gaze. According to legend, anyone who looks into the eyes of a basilisk will die instantly. The name basilisk comes from the Greek word “basiliskos”, which means “little king” or “king of serpents”.

The basilisk is a fitting symbol for the anime, as it represents the power and danger of the ninja clans, as well as the fatal attraction between Gennosuke and Oboro. Both of them have special abilities that involve their eyes: Gennosuke can manipulate the will of anyone who looks into his eyes, while Oboro can nullify any ninja technique with her eyes. Their eyes are both a weapon and a weakness, as they can kill or save each other with a single glance.

What happens in the basilisk ending?

The basilisk ending is the final episode of the anime, titled “Requiem”. In this episode, Gennosuke and Oboro are the only survivors of the war between the Iga and the Kouga, and they face each other in a final duel. However, they are both reluctant to fight, as they still love each other and wish for peace. They decide to end the war by killing themselves, rather than killing each other. They stab each other in the chest, and then embrace each other as they die. Their bodies are then carried away by the river, as a sign of their eternal union.

The basilisk ending is a tragic and poetic conclusion to the anime, as it shows the futility and cruelty of the war, and the strength and purity of the love between Gennosuke and Oboro. They choose to die together, rather than live apart, as they believe that their death will end the cycle of hatred and violence between their clans. They also hope that their sacrifice will inspire the new shogun to spare their clans and bring peace to the land.

Why is the basilisk ending so sad?

The basilisk ending is so sad because it is a story of star-crossed lovers who are doomed by fate and circumstance. Gennosuke and Oboro are similar to Romeo and Juliet, as they are from rival families who are forbidden to love each other. They are also victims of a political scheme, as they are manipulated by the shogun and his advisors, who use them as pawns to decide the succession of the shogunate. They are betrayed by their own clans, who are blinded by hatred and greed, and who do not respect their wishes for peace. They are forced to kill their friends and relatives, who are also loyal and honorable ninjas, who fight for their pride and honor. They are ultimately left alone, with no one to support or understand them, except for each other.

The basilisk ending is also sad because it is a story of wasted potential and lost opportunities. Gennosuke and Oboro are both young and talented leaders, who have the vision and the charisma to unite their clans and end the war. They are also kind and compassionate people, who care for their people and respect their enemies. They have the potential to create a new and better world, where ninjas can live in harmony and prosperity. However, they are denied this chance, as they are bound by their duty and their destiny, and they have to follow the rules and the traditions of their clans and their society. They are unable to change the status quo, and they have to sacrifice their dreams and their lives for a cause that they do not believe in.

What are some of the themes and messages of the basilisk ending?

The basilisk ending is not only a sad and tragic story, but also a meaningful and profound one. It explores some of the themes and messages that are relevant and universal, such as:

• Love and hate: The basilisk ending shows the contrast and the connection between love and hate, and how they can inspire or destroy people. Gennosuke and Oboro represent love, as they are able to overcome their differences and their prejudices, and to see the good and the beauty in each other. They also show that love is stronger than hate, as they are able to resist the influence and the pressure of their clans and their society, and to stay true to their feelings and their values. On the other hand, the Iga and the Kouga represent hate, as they are consumed by their animosity and their vengeance, and they are unable to forgive and to coexist. They also show that hate is weaker than love, as they are ultimately defeated and destroyed by their own hatred and their own violence.
• War and peace: The basilisk ending shows the consequences and the costs of war, and the importance and the challenges of peace. The war between the Iga and the Kouga is a senseless and a pointless war, as it is based on a false and a cruel premise, and it does not benefit anyone. The war only brings death and suffering, not only to the ninjas, but also to the innocent people who are caught in the crossfire. The war also wastes the lives and the talents of the ninjas, who could have used their skills and their abilities for a better purpose. The peace between the Iga and the Kouga is a desirable and a noble goal, as it is the only way to end the war and to prevent further bloodshed. The peace also offers hope and happiness, not only to Gennosuke and Oboro, but also to their clans and their people, who could have lived in harmony and prosperity. However, the peace is also a difficult and a risky goal, as it requires courage and compromise, and it faces opposition and resistance from those who do not want to change or to lose.

What are some of the frequently asked questions about the basilisk ending?

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the basilisk ending, and their answers:

• Q: Is the basilisk ending faithful to the manga?
  • A: Yes, the basilisk ending is faithful to the manga, as it follows the same plot and the same outcome. However, there are some minor differences in the details and the execution, such as the order and the manner of the deaths of some of the characters, and the inclusion of some flashbacks and some foreshadowing in the anime.
• Q: Is there a sequel or a prequel to the basilisk ending?
  • A: Yes, there is a sequel and a prequel to the basilisk ending, in the form of manga and anime. The sequel is called Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, and it is set 10 years after the original story, and it follows the new generation of ninjas from the Iga and the Kouga, who are involved in another war. The prequel is called The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls, and it is set before the original story, and it follows the Yagyu clan, who are the allies of the Iga, and who are also targeted by the shogun and his advisors.
• Q: Is the basilisk ending realistic or romantic?
  • A: The basilisk ending can be seen as both realistic and romantic, depending on the perspective and the preference of the viewer. Some may see it as realistic, as it reflects the harsh and the tragic reality of the feudal era of Japan, where war and death were common and inevitable, and where love and peace were rare and difficult. Some may also see it as realistic, as it shows the loyalty and the honor of the ninjas, who follow their orders and their destiny, and who do not hesitate to sacrifice themselves for their clans and their country. Others may see it as romantic, as it depicts the pure and the passionate love of Gennosuke and Oboro, who defy their fate and their circumstance, and who choose to die together, rather than live apart. Some may also see it as romantic, as it illustrates the beauty and the poetry of the ninja culture, which is full of mystery and magic, and which is inspired by the legends and the myths of Japan.

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