Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage Season 1 (Episodes 1-12) – A Xianxia Experiment That Divides Fans

Let’s cut straight to the chase: Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage (or Spirit Blade Mountain: Feast of the Stardust if you prefer the literal translation) isn’t for everyone. Co-produced by Tencent and Studio Deen and airing from January to March 2016, this PG-13 fantasy series dives into the world of xianxia—Chinese fantasy about cultivating immortality—following Ouriku as he trains to become a powerful sage. But after scrolling through fan discussions on MyAnimeList, it’s clear this show is a polarizing mess of ambition, low budgets, and missed comedic beats. Let’s break down why it’s either a hidden gem or a total skip, depending on who you ask.

First, let’s get the basics out of the way. The plot centers on Ouriku’s journey through trials at Spirit Blade Mountain, a school for aspiring sages. The premise is classic xianxia: a young underdog climbing the ranks, facing magical challenges, and uncovering ancient prophecies (something about falling comets draining spiritual energy—standard fantasy fare). But where Reikenzan stumbles first is its execution, and fans didn’t hold back on calling it out.

The Animation: A Dealbreaker for Many

If there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s that the animation quality is… rough. Studio Deen, known for hits like Rurouni Kenshin but also misses like Pandora Hearts, delivered what fans described as “shit tier” visuals. “The animation is FINE, but it still needs improvement,” one viewer wrote, though others were less generous: “It looks so freaking cheap,” “the art is terrible,” and “lower detail character drawings” were common complaints. Even defenders admitted the animation was “poor and low budget”—a big red flag for a genre that relies on flashy magical battles to wow audiences.

But wait, some fans pushed back on the animation hate. “Why people care that much about art and animation?!” one user ranted. “What about story, comedy, characters, entertainment? Those are more important than visuals!” It’s a fair point—anime isn’t just about pretty pictures—but let’s be real: when your main character’s face looks derpy during a serious fight scene, it’s hard to stay invested. As another fan clapped back: “Animation and art are a staple of anime… what exactly do you think it’s named for?” Touché.

Comedy: Trying Too Hard and Missing the Mark

Reikenzan bills itself as a mix of adventure and comedy, but the jokes landed with a thud for most viewers. “This anime was trying hard to be funny but so far it failed in my opinion,” one fan said. Another called the humor “really bad” and added, “This anime just feels so lost with what it’s trying to be.” Even the show’s quirky characters couldn’t save the comedy—“Some of the characters seem interesting but the main party didn’t seem that interesting to me,” a reviewer noted.

The worst part? The comedy often undercut the fantasy elements. When you’re supposed to take Ouriku’s quest seriously, but there’s a random gag about magical pink light blasts (someone even joked: “befriend (v.): To violently attack someone with very dangerous and extremely powerful blasts of magical pink light until your target sees the validity of your viewpoint”), it’s hard to get immersed. It felt like the show couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a silly slapstick or an epic xianxia—and ended up being neither.

Story and Characters: A Divide Between Source Material Fans and Newcomers

Here’s where things get interesting. If you’re a fan of the original Chinese novel or manga, you might have loved Reikenzan. “It followed the manga really well… to me it’s a refresh from all the mindless service/loli/waifu animes with some real plot and character development,” one fan gushed, giving it a 4/5. Another added: “The story was portrayed fine, but still needs improvements.” These viewers praised the show for sticking to the source and offering a break from generic anime tropes.

But for newcomers? The story was a mess. “The story is cliche,” “the pacing is horrendous,” and “nothing really happened this episode to keep your interest” were common complaints. One fan summed it up: “An adaptation needs to be able to stand on its own, and this one does not.” Even the characters fell flat for some—“the main party didn’t seem that interesting,” and the “looks like a girl but is a boy” trope was a turn-off for many.

The Silver Linings: Music and Potential

It’s not all bad, though. The opening (OP) and ending (ED) songs were standout hits. “The opening theme is so good damn it!” one fan raved, mentioning Soraru’s high notes as a highlight. Another praised the ED: “ED song very nice. OP visuals & animation good.” The music was a bright spot in an otherwise dim series, and some viewers even stuck around just for the OP.

There’s also potential in the xianxia genre itself. “Most xianxia novels are good,” one fan noted, and Reikenzan does offer a glimpse into a world that’s underrepresented in anime. If you’re tired of the same old isekai or shonen tropes, the Chinese fantasy elements might feel fresh—even if the execution is lacking.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?

Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage Season 1 is a mixed bag. If you’re a die-hard xianxia fan or loved the original source material, you might find something to enjoy here—especially if you can overlook the animation and comedy flaws. But if you’re a casual viewer looking for a polished fantasy series, this isn’t it.

The show’s biggest issue is that it tries to do too much with too little. A low budget, inconsistent tone, and failure to stand on its own as an adaptation make it hard to recommend. But hey, if you’re curious about Chinese fantasy or just want to judge the animation for yourself, it’s worth a watch—just don’t say we didn’t warn you.

As one fan put it: “I will stick with this for the time being.” Will you?

Rating: 2.5/5 (for the music and xianxia potential, but docked points for animation and comedy)