TV-Series
Description
"Flame of Recca" is a 42-episode anime series based on the manga by Nobuyuki Anzai. The story centers on Recca Hanabishi, a high school student who initially believes he is a modern-day ninja due to his fascination with the ninja era. Recca discovers he is actually from the past, having been transported 400 years into the future by his mother, Yanagi Sakoshita, to protect him from a deadly conflict. Recca possesses the ability to summon and control fire, a power tied to his lineage as a descendant of the Hokage, a legendary ninja clan.
Recca’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Yanagi Sakoshita, a kind-hearted girl with the ability to heal injuries. Recca pledges to protect her, forming a close bond. Their relationship becomes central to the narrative as they are drawn into a dangerous tournament known as the Ura Butō Satsujin, organized by Kōran Mori, a powerful and enigmatic figure. The tournament pits teams of fighters against each other, each wielding unique weapons and abilities tied to mystical artifacts called "Madōgu."
Recca forms a team with his friends: Domon Ishijima, a martial artist with superhuman strength; Fūko Kirisawa, a skilled swordswoman who wields wind-based Madōgu; and Tokiya Mikagami, a calm and calculating fighter who controls water. Together, they face off against formidable opponents, including Kurei, a rival fire user with a tragic past and a personal vendetta against Recca. Kurei seeks to harness the power of the Hokage to achieve his own ambitions, leading to a climactic confrontation.
The series explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil, as Recca and his team navigate the challenges of the tournament and uncover deeper secrets about their abilities and origins. The narrative builds toward a resolution that ties together the fates of Recca, Yanagi, and Kurei, revealing the true nature of the Hokage legacy and the significance of their powers. The anime blends action, fantasy, and emotional depth, creating a compelling story of self-discovery and heroism.
Recca’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Yanagi Sakoshita, a kind-hearted girl with the ability to heal injuries. Recca pledges to protect her, forming a close bond. Their relationship becomes central to the narrative as they are drawn into a dangerous tournament known as the Ura Butō Satsujin, organized by Kōran Mori, a powerful and enigmatic figure. The tournament pits teams of fighters against each other, each wielding unique weapons and abilities tied to mystical artifacts called "Madōgu."
Recca forms a team with his friends: Domon Ishijima, a martial artist with superhuman strength; Fūko Kirisawa, a skilled swordswoman who wields wind-based Madōgu; and Tokiya Mikagami, a calm and calculating fighter who controls water. Together, they face off against formidable opponents, including Kurei, a rival fire user with a tragic past and a personal vendetta against Recca. Kurei seeks to harness the power of the Hokage to achieve his own ambitions, leading to a climactic confrontation.
The series explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil, as Recca and his team navigate the challenges of the tournament and uncover deeper secrets about their abilities and origins. The narrative builds toward a resolution that ties together the fates of Recca, Yanagi, and Kurei, revealing the true nature of the Hokage legacy and the significance of their powers. The anime blends action, fantasy, and emotional depth, creating a compelling story of self-discovery and heroism.
Episodes
Staffel 1
1Flame of Recca
Recca Hanabishi introduces himself to his classmates as a ninja and a descendant of Hattori Hanzo. He generates flames from his right hand and incinerates a wooden practice post. Yanagi Sakoshita,a quiet girl, watches him from a distance. Later, Recca sees Yanagi walking alone and being stalked by a masked assailant carrying a metal chain. Recca confronts the assailant and declares himself Yanagi's protector. The assailant swings the chain, forcing Recca to dodge and counter with a burst of flame. The fire grazes the assailant, but he recovers quickly and prepares another attack. Recca pulls out a small metal dragon ornament given to him by his late grandfather. The dragon transforms into a sharp blade, surprising the assailant. Recca slashes the chain and knocks the assailant to the ground. The assailant retreats, promising to return with reinforcements. Yanagi touches Recca's burned hand, and the wound vanishes instantly. Yanagi reveals that she possesses a healing power that certain groups seek to exploit. Recca decides to become her sworn ninja guardian. A shadowy figure in the final scene commands his subordinates to capture Yanagi at any cost.
5The Shadow Ninja Clan: The Mystery of the Hokage!!
Recca Hanabishi and his friends visit the home of their history teacher,Fumio Tatesako, after he invites them to discuss ninja history. Tatesako explains that the Hokage clan created Madogu, weapons with supernatural abilities, and possessed powers such as controlling fire, water, and time. A young boy named Kaoru Koganei enters the house and knocks out Tatesako. Koganei easily evades Recca's attacks and demonstrates superior combat skill. His partner, Mokuren Nagai, arrives and uses a plant-based Madogu ingested into his body to grow and control vine-like tentacles. Mokuren knocks out Fuko Kirisawa and Domon Ishijima, then fatally wounds Tatesako's wife. He releases an aconite scent that paralyzes Recca completely. Mokuren kidnaps Yanagi Sakoshita while Recca cannot move. Recca stabs his own arm with a blade, using the pain to overcome the paralysis and strike Mokuren, sending him crashing into a well. Koganei realizes Yanagi's importance to Recca but remains focused on his mission to deliver her to Kurei. Koganei knocks Recca unconscious with the rear end of his Madogu, the Kogonanki. Recca wakes in a hospital bed and vows to rescue Yanagi. Fuko and Domon insist on joining him, each holding a personal grudge after their humiliating defeat by Mokuren. The three depart for Kurei's mountain mansion, where they will face a gauntlet of deadly enemies.
6Kage's True Identity
Kage's mask cracks during a skirmish with a forest creature. The crack reveals a female face beneath the shadowy wrappings. Kage then removes the mask entirely,exposing long hair and delicate features. Recca and Domon stare in shock while Yanagi shows no surprise. Kage explains she belongs to the Hokage ninja clan and received orders to assassinate Recca. She also admits she cannot complete the mission after witnessing Recca’s determination and kindness. A flashback shows Kage training under harsh conditions and receiving the assassination order from her master. She reveals her real name as Kagerō and pledges to travel with Recca as an ally. Domon protests briefly but accepts her after Recca welcomes her without hesitation. The group resumes walking through the forest toward the Ura Butō Satsujin tournament grounds. A new opponent, a man in dark robes named Kōran Mori, steps onto their path and challenges Recca. Kōran summons a swirling water serpent from his palms, forcing Recca to raise his flames in immediate defense.
7A Deadly Struggle - the Guardian of Stone
Recca,Domon, and Fuuko continue advancing through Kurei's mansion to rescue Yanagi. The stone guardian Maria blocks their path, firing lasers from its eyes. The three attackers realize Maria requires brief recharging intervals between each laser blast. They exploit these pauses to dodge and land counterattacks. Recca, Domon, and Fuuko coordinate their strikes during the recharge windows. Their combined assault eventually destroys the statue guardian. The group proceeds deeper into the mansion after defeating Maria. They enter an elaborately decorated room filled with life-sized mannequins. The mannequins appear to play instruments and simulate a festive celebration. Katashira Reira, a doll controller, emerges from within the room accompanied by her doll Primera. Reira initiates a battle against the intruders, specifically targeting Fuuko. The episode concludes as Fuuko engages Reira and Primera in combat inside the doll-filled chamber. The next episode continues this confrontation, with Reira's puppet control abilities posing an immediate threat to Fuuko's safety.
8Episode 8
Team Hokage enters the second round of the Dark Tournament. Their opponent in episode 8 is Team Uruha. Mikoto,a member of Team Uruha, activates her secret weapon, the Crimson Wings. These wings produce eight floating blades that move independently and cut through steel. Mikoto orders the blades to surround Yanagi, who stands outside the fighting ring. Yanagi has no combat skills but can heal wounds by touch. Recca jumps in front of Yanagi and takes several cuts on his arms and torso. He summons his flame dragon, Karyu, to burn three of the blades. Mikoto redirects the remaining five blades in a pincer attack. Recca cannot dodge all of them. He receives deep gashes on his legs but remains standing. He then channels flames through his entire right arm and swings it horizontally. The fire wave melts four blades and knocks the fifth off course. Mikoto has no more blades and tries to retreat. Recca closes the distance and delivers a flame-covered punch to her midsection. Mikoto flies out of the ring and lands outside the boundary. The referee confirms Recca's victory. Team Uruha's leader, Kagerou, enters the ring. He announces that his water-based ninja arts can extinguish any flame. Kagerou also notes that Yanagi has already used her healing power on Recca's earlier wounds and cannot use it again for the rest of the day. Recca now faces Kagerou alone, with no healer and his fire directly countered by water.
15The Curse of Time: Mother and Son
Kagero continues narrating the Hokage clan's final days. Kurei attempts to kill the infant Recca to please his disgraced mother,leaving the prominent scar on Recca's cheek. The clan stops Kurei and imprisons him. Warlord Oda Nobunaga prepares to attack the Hokage to steal their Madogu weapons. The Hokage clan chooses to fight Nobunaga's army without using the Madogu, fearing the weapons will fall into wrong hands. Nobunaga's soldiers overwhelm and defeat the entire clan through sheer numbers. Kagero casts a forbidden spell to open a time portal and sends Recca into the future, paying for this act with her immortality. Kurei escapes his prison during the village's destruction, finds Kagero and Recca, and the portal transports him into the future as well. Back in the present, Mikagami senses three intruders from the past approaching while Kagero tells her story. Recca and his companions engage the three time-displaced enemies in combat. The intruders cannot use their Madogu effectively, and Recca's group defeats them quickly. One enemy takes Kagero hostage and prepares to kill her, though her immortality makes the attempt pointless. Recca's anger triggers an unconscious summoning of Nadare, his first flame dragon, which destroys the enemy. Recca finally acknowledges Kagero as his mother and reaches out to touch her. The forbidden spell prevents any physical contact between mother and son, leaving Recca unable to embrace her despite accepting their bond.
16The Explosive Flame Dragon
Recca Hanabishi faces Joker,a Uruha ninja who wields razor-sharp playing cards. Joker launches a barrage of cards that slice through the arena floor. Recca dodges but cannot close the distance. Joker then traps Recca inside a cage formed by interlocking cards. The cage compresses, threatening to crush Recca. Recca’s flame activates in response to the danger. He summons the Flame Dragon, a massive serpent of fire that erupts from his body. The dragon shatters the card cage and surges toward Joker. Joker tries to shield himself with more cards, but the flames incinerate them instantly. The impact throws Joker out of the ring. Recca wins the match, earning the first victory for Team Hokage in the tournament. The referee declares Recca the winner, and the crowd erupts. On the opposing side, Kurei watches calmly and orders the next Uruha fighter to prepare for battle.
19The Iron Fist Fails! - Domon's Trump Card!!
Tokiya ends his match against Daikoku by jabbing a finger into the center of Daikoku's spinning bo,stopping the weapon and securing victory for the Hokage team. Recca explains that striking the axis of any rotating object halts its motion. The next bout pits Domon Ishijima against the Kuu fighter Minamio. Domon stalls before the fight with poses and a radio, even allowing Minamio to land free hits. Minamio reveals his body has the properties of rubber, making him immune to physical strikes. A Madogu called Nan inside Minamio's mouth grants this elasticity. Domon finally activates his own Madogu, the Kuchibashi-oh, which extends chains that bind and defeat Minamio. Domon declares victory but immediately loses consciousness. Tokiya notes Domon activated his Madogu too late, rendering the match a draw. Kukai asks Saicho for paper, then uses it to blow his nose and offers it to the referee as a souvenir. The following match begins between Fuuko Kirisawa and the Kuu fighter Fujimaru. Fuuko launches her darts, but Fujimaru easily counters them. Fujimaru retaliates by throwing sickles that shred the sleeves from Fuuko's outfit, putting her at an immediate disadvantage.
20Explosion! The Secret of a Maiden's Flower!!
The tournament match between Fuuko Kirisawa and Fujimaru from Team Kuu reaches its climax. Fujimaru uses his weapons to strip away Fuuko's clothing during the fight. He follows this action by insulting her appearance and calling her ugly. Fuuko endures his perverse tactics without losing her composure. She eventually gains the upper hand and secures victory for Team Hokage. After the match ends,Fuuko addresses the audience directly. She warns that anyone who behaves like Fujimaru will face severe consequences from her. Saicho, Fujimaru's teammate, approaches Fuuko following the confrontation. He apologizes sincerely for Fujimaru's degrading conduct during the match. Saicho then provides a paper bandage to cover a wound on Fuuko's arm. He also offers his own jacket to replace the clothing Fujimaru destroyed. The episode concludes with Team Hokage preparing for the next round, where Recca Hanabishi must face Saicho in a battle of fire against paper-based abilities.
24The Eternal Oath
Kagerou reveals her identity as Recca’s mother and explains the circumstances of his birth. She recounts how Oka,Kurei’s mother, took her in after Kagerou fled the Hokage village. Oka and Kagerou both gave birth on the same night to sons fathered by the same man, Oka’s husband. Oka’s child, Kurei, inherited the stronger flame, while Kagerou’s child, Recca, received the weaker but purer flame. To protect both children from the village’s persecution, Oka cut her own wrist and used her blood to declare Recca as her own son. Kagerou then took Kurei and fled, drawing the village’s pursuit away from the infants. Oka died from blood loss after making Kagerou swear an eternal oath to keep Recca safe. Kagerou describes how she later lost Kurei during their escape and wandered alone with Recca until she too perished. Recca listens silently, then asks Kagerou to forgive him for not recognizing her earlier. Kagerou vanishes after Recca accepts her farewell and thanks her. Recca turns to face Kurei, who has been watching from the shadows. Kurei confirms that he already learned the truth and accuses Recca of stealing the life Kurei should have had. The episode closes with both brothers igniting their flames, ready to fight each other.
25Episode 25
Kurei tells Recca that the Final Flame,known as the Saigo no Honoo, consumes the user's life force and inevitably kills them. Recca learns that Kurei is his older brother and that their mother died giving birth to Recca. Kurei states that Recca's existence caused the death of their mother and the subsequent ruin of the Hokage clan. Recca refuses to retreat despite the lethal cost of using the Final Flame. Recca activates the Final Flame, and his own body begins to burn from the inside, with red and blue flames licking his skin. Kurei attacks with his own fire, launching a massive wave of black flames directly at Recca. Recca endures the assault without counterattacking, his body smoking and charring from both flames. The intense heat from Recca's Final Flame melts the stone floor and cracks the walls of the underground chamber. Kurei hesitates for a moment, seeing Recca's unwavering determination to protect his friends instead of seeking revenge. From a distance, Fuuko, Domon, and Kaoru watch helplessly as Recca's body deteriorates and his flame flickers like a dying candle. Recca collapses to the ground, his flame extinguished, and Kurei stands over his motionless body. The remaining members of Uruha prepare to finish off Recca's friends, who have no means to fight back without Recca.
26Final Battle! Recca vs. Kurei
Recca Hanabishi stands opposite Kurei in the arena of the Ura Butou Satsujin tournament. Kurei unleashes a massive wave of black flame,forcing Recca to dodge repeatedly. Recca counters with his Flame Dragons: Nadare, Homura, and Rui each strike Kurei in succession. Kurei absorbs the attacks and retaliates with a concentrated fire blast that sends Recca crashing into the wall. Recca rises despite burns on his arms and legs. He calls upon the remaining dragons, but Kurei severs his connection to three of them. Kurei reveals that he orchestrated the tournament to draw out Recca’s full power. Kurei explains that their mother, Oka, chose Recca as the heir to the Hokage flame, abandoning Kurei. Kurei aims to destroy Recca to prove his own worth. Recca refuses to hate his brother and instead summons the eighth and final dragon, Shinryuu. The combined force of all eight dragons breaks through Kurei’s defensive flame. Kurei’s mask cracks, exposing his face for the first time. Kurei falls to his knees, defeated, and admits that he wanted Recca to kill him. Recca extends his hand and says he wants to live as family. Kurei hesitates but then the ground shakes violently. A massive shadow rises from beneath the arena, revealing a new, unknown enemy.
27Tears Shed Because of Girl's Hair!!
Mikagami forfeits his scheduled match against the schoolgirl Menou. The previous battle against Mokuren left him too injured to continue. Recca steps forward to fight Menou in his place. Menou wields an implanted Shikigami that transforms her hair into a deadly weapon. Saicho,another Shikigami user, explains the differences between their tools. Saicho's madogu, created by Koku, animates paper objects. Menou's madogu, created by Kaima, resides inside her body and weaponizes her hair. The fight takes a turn when Recca discovers Genjuro's deception. Genjuro trapped Menou's father to force her into the tournament. Recca and Menou form a temporary alliance against Genjuro. They work together to free Menou's father from captivity. Recca defeats Genjuro and secures the father's release. Menou acknowledges her loss and accepts defeat. With Menou's battle concluded, Recca finally stands face to face with Genjuro for the next confrontation.
Music
Ending
Ep. 1-32
Hikaru Nishida
Ep. 33-42
Yuki Masuda