It's the years 1467-1605, Japan's feudal system is at war, the great Uesugi Kenshin is fighing against those who would dominate and crush Japan. His adoptive son, Uesugi Kagetora must fight and lead the people in the Sengoku Battle, but what he doesn't know is that even after his death, the battle still lingers on. The spirits of those who faught refuse to let things lie, forcing their way through time by seizing bodies and shoving the rightful souls out (a twisted form of reincarnation) in order to change the outcome and thus change the future of Japan. Kagetora and 4 of his most loyal allies must reincarnate as well, as the Dark Sengoku continues, using their powers to return those misplaced warriors to the land of the dead where they belong, to keep the balance of power in check.

What do you get when you take your average teenager, Takaya, force him to realize that he is Kagetora, learn his powers while in the heat of battle, find his best friend might just be the incarnation of his worst enemy, and that the only one he can trust is the reason the soul of Kagetora won't let him remember himself?! You get Mirage of Blaze, a dramatic piece with so much history, you might end up knowing more than your teachers.

Takaya, your typical joe-schmo highschooler, is confronted by a mysterious stranger, Naoe, claiming that he, Takaya, is this great leader who alone has the power to defeat their fierecest enemy (who might in turn just be Takaya's current best friend). Takaya not only having to deal with an apparent gap in his memories, also has to learn, and quick, just how to banish an army of spirits, exorcise souls of reincarnated warlords, and who he really is. Is he Takaya or is he Kagetora? Or perhaps, a mix of both?

Mirage of Blaze is based on a popular book series in Japan, up to like 30 volumes. The anime is only 13 episodes, but all in all you get a good glimpse of what's going on. What captures you the most is Takaya. You feel for the guy, for all he has to endure, and are just as curious as he is as to why his memories have been sealed.

For the shonen-ai fan, Mirage of Blaze adds a nice twist in the fact that Naoe and Kagetora were once lovers, and Naoe is still very much in love with his master. Poor Takaya has to wonder if Naoe loves him for himself or for the burried soul of Kagetora inside him. Granted, their relationship is far from smooth, Naoe himself having apparently played a major role 30 years ago in the incident that led Kagetora to now seal himself away.

All in all, Mirage of Blaze, though heavy on the history, is full of action, drama, and unrequited love that has you craving more.