Hakuouki Remeiroku is the prequel of the first 2 series. It shows what Shinsengumi was like before it became officially known as Shinsengumi. In Hakuouki Remeiroku, the main character is a guy (yea!! No Chizuru!!) and no, Hakuouki did not turn into a BL game. It's still an otome game. Story: (7/10) – Fairly Good The year is 1863 and as Japan's long festering wounds of political discord erupt into violent waves of street clashes and murder, the Tokugawa Shogunate sends a new force of masterless samurai called the Roshigumi to the aid of the Aizu forces in Kyoto. However the new "police" are anything but a cohesive force and assassination has already split them into two opposing factions. The stronger is led by the brutal Serizawa Kamo and the lesser by the more honorable but less assertive Kondo Isami. It is into this pack of wolves that Ibuki Ryunosuke is dragged by the rabid Serizawa. Forced to be a virtual slave by blood debt, he hates the samurai and everything they stand for. But as he sees how the other half of the samurai live, he begins to believe that there may still be a chance, for both himself and Japan. Before Shinsengumi was known as Shinsengumi, it was known as Roshigumi and other than Kondo, there were another leader in the group. His name was Serizawa and he was the reason why Roshigumi had a bad reputation. The prequel also shows how the whole Rasetsu saga started. I like the prequel as it shows the past of some of the characters like Hijikata, Souji, Saitou and Kondo. Character: (9/10) – Very Good The prequel does not focus on Hijikata as heavily as the first 2 series. It shows more of the other characters, in particular Souji, Saitou, Heisuke, Harada and Shinpachi. The main character also has some really nice interaction with the Shinsengumi characters. Art/Animation: (9/10) – Very Good The male characters are really drawn very beautifully. The animation is also well done. Music: (8/10) – Good The themes are nice and fit the mood of the series but not as nice as that of the 2nd series. Enjoyment: (9/10) – Very Good Without Chizuru, Hakuouki is indeed much more enjoyable to watch. Overall: (8/10) – Good It's really nice too see the young Shinsengumi in action and a healthy, cheeky (and slightly sadistic) Souji!!
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