Introduction With Lady Snowblood: Blizzard of the Netherrealm (1973), an adaptation of Kazuo Koike’s popular manga Lady Snowblood (1972 – 1973), Toshiya Fujita created a beautiful, strong demonic woman who turns killing people, with her sharp sword, into an elegant art. Fujita’s sequel about this deadly beauty is, contrary to first narrative, not based on…
Category: Jidaigeki
Ohyaku: the Female Demon (1968) [review]
a very enjoyable revenge-narrative that, surprisingly, still holds up well today.
Crazy Samurai Musashi (2020) review [Fantasia 2020]
“Sakaguchi reveals that what truly stirs the imagination of the spectator is not shining special effects, but true skill and physicality of the actor’s presence.”
Short Movie Time: A Wolf’s Calling (2019) [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A powerful subjective statement against the prowling nature of the Japanese police.”
From hero to violator: An introduction to pre-war Jidai-geki cinema. (Part 1)
A deep and detailed exploration of the beginning of cinema in Japan.
Love’s Twisting Path (2019) Review
“Nakajima’s movie delivers everything that one expects from an jidai-geki narrative.”
Samurai Shifters (2019) review [Japannual 2019]
“While it does not offer anything new to the jidai-geki genre, it still is a pleasing narrative that touches upon less well-known aspects of Edo-society.”
Samurai Marathon (2019) review
“A somewhat atypically packaged jidai-geki, that provides everything one should expect of a contemporary mainstream jidai-geki.”
Zan/killing (2018) review
“One of the Tsukamoto’s most accomplished narratives.”
Mumon: Land of Stealth (2016) review
For those who are looking for a well-crafted ride with thrills and twists, finished off with some subtle melodrama, this narrative fits the bill.
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014) review
“Add the Kenshin-tension to the mix and you have a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Tatara Samurai (2016) review
“Those who are able to visually scrutinize the (…) detailed historical narrative space will (…) enjoy the narrative’s atmosphere and appreciate the pacifistic message about tradition and craftsmanship that this atmospheric narrative formulates.”
Sword of Doom (1966) review
“Everything one can and should expect from a samurai narrative [ is present]. A true classic that has stood the test time.”
