While many a video game has been turned into an anime, this is the first time I have heard of a pachinko machine having its video clips expanded into a full blown series. Monkey Punch designed the characters for a pachinko machine, and someone at TV Tokyo decided it would be brilliant to greenlit an anime around it. Crunchyroll picked up the rights to subtitle and stream it online. It was not a horrible show, but it did not capture enough audience for a US company to pick up the home video release rights.

Japanese Title:
Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman
Initial Air Date:
2013 January 07
Final Air Date:
2013 March 25
Episode Count:
12
Run Time per Episode:
~24 minutes

Synopsis

Manjirō Tatsukeya works as a jack of all trades, helping troubled people in town for not much money that he ends up losing on bets. However, at night, he turns into a Japanese-style Robin Hood, the phantom thief Roman. In order to protect the smiles of the people in his town, he continues to fight against injustice with his sister Koharu and friends.

Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman promotional image
Episode 1: A Lavish Banquet of Raining Coins!

Episode 1: A Lavish Banquet of Raining Coins!

Baban to Koban ga, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 January 07
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With the help of his friends, Roman's lavish banquet will return the money and power to the people!

| Review
Episode 2: A Lavish Banquet For That Hateful Jerk!

Episode 2: A Lavish Banquet For That Hateful Jerk!

Nikui Aitsu ga, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 January 14
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Roman latest robbery attempt has been stopped by a new member of the Mimawarigumi, Magoichi. Upset that he was bested by Magoichi, Roman has to hide it when Magoichi shows up at the Helpers.

| Review
Episode 3: A Lavish Banquet For Guys In Trouble!

Episode 3: A Lavish Banquet For Guys In Trouble!

Komatta Yatsura ga, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 January 21
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The secret of the shogunate, the Coastal Atlas of Japan has been stolen and it is up to the Helper to get it back.

| Review
Episode 4: A Lavish Banquet In Skintight Swimsuits!

Episode 4: A Lavish Banquet In Skintight Swimsuits!

Patsupatsu Mizugi de, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 January 28
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Ten million ryo... That is the helpers share if they help the monkey face lord retrieve his family hidden treasure. That much money is always followed by a string of headaches.

| Review
Episode 5: Shred And Throw For A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 5: Shred And Throw For A Lavish Banquet!

Chigiritte Nage te, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 February 04
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Roman secret identity has been found and challenged for the title of “second generation Nezumi Kozo” by Red!

| Review
Episode 6: Back Alleys, Cellars, And A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 6: Back Alleys, Cellars, And A Lavish Banquet!

Rojiura, Anagura, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 February 11
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Romans one true love has been kidnapped by a pervert. He has been asked by Orin to find her and so has Magoichi who has received some bad information.

| Review
Episode 7: There's A Lot To Life, And A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 7: There's A Lot To Life, And A Lavish Banquet!

Jinsei Iroiro, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 February 18
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The helpers have been asked in secret by the Mito, Owari, and Kishu domains to find the thieves to continually steal from them. This task leads Roman to a military group and the worst secret he could ever learn.

| Review
Episode 8: What A Terrible Face, And A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 8: What A Terrible Face, And A Lavish Banquet!

Hide Menshi te, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 February 25
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Roman is broken and spends his days drinking; a man from his past attempts to snap him out of his runts. Meanwhile, Magoichi might have found what he has been looking for...

| Review
Episode 9: Bang Bang Ba-Bang! It's A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 9: Bang Bang Ba-Bang! It's A Lavish Banquet!

Banban Baban to, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 March 04
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Roman finally returns home to find Koharu missing and the secret of her past revealed.

| Review
Episode 10: Show Your True Intentions With A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 10: Show Your True Intentions With A Lavish Banquet!

Porotto Honne de, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 March 11
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The helpers save a hurt Okuni and she shares her disgust of Romans smile.

| Review
Episode 11: A Showdown You Won't Believe, And A Lavish Banquet!

Episode 11: A Showdown You Won't Believe, And A Lavish Banquet!

Tamage ta ShŌbu da, Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 March 18
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The Helpers assault Admiral Perry ship with all their forces with the help of a surprised visitor.

| Review
Episode 12: In Full Bloom! A Lavish Banquet Of Smiles!

Episode 12: In Full Bloom! A Lavish Banquet Of Smiles!

Mankai! Egao no Ōbanburumai!
Air Date: 2013 March 25
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As Edo burns, the Helpers fight against Perry and his forces with all they have, but some won’t make back.

| Review
Gennai Hiraga:
Manjirō "Roman" Tasukeya:
Sanosuke Kitagiri:
Jirokichi:
Conty:
Yasuhiro Togawa:
Yanagisawa:
Hans von Rubelt:
Magoichi Suzuki:
Kanbe Kuroda:
Koharu (Kazarihashi no Koharu):
Perry:
Orin:
Okuni:
Kanade Yorozuhachiman:

Cast data provided by Anime News Network. Check their official page for any additional data not supplied through their API.