An interesting series based on Japanese novel written in the Tokugawa period by a samurai. A lot of elements of the book and the TV series seem to be very similar to Western European medieval morality plays, but much of it is still based on classical Japanese culture and mysticism. The book involves the conflict between a group of individuals who by re-incarnation or by ghostly powers come into conflict over three generation. The TV series takes up in the middle of an enemy siege, when a misspoken promise causes the wedding of princess Fuse to a dog (Yatsufusa) in payment for bringing the head of the enemy leader. This dog, though, is possessed by a spirit (Tamazusa) who has a great hatred of their family and this marriage is fated to end in tragedy or disaster. The marriage ends in tragedy, as the princess and the dog are killed in an accident by her fiancé.
       This action at this time free hers and the dog's spirit from the evil spirit and prevents her eight children/dogs (that she was pregnant with at the time) from falling under the control of the spirit. This enables these eight dog/warriors to be reborn to new mothers, but an obligation to serve is still upon each of them. This obligation is represented by a mystic beads inscribed with a separate aspect of the Bushido that each one possesses. There lives will be filled with tragedy as they are caught up in a battle that they know nothing about, but which only they can bring to an end.
       The TV series is composed of 13 episodes that is available commercially. While the plot is interesting and several of the episodes are decently animated (the first 4 and last 2), much of the middle of the series is poorly animated and episodes 10-11 are the worst animated episodes I have seen from any modern animated series. While I recommend seeing this series, I would watch for the interesting plot lines and not for the quality of the animation.