Movie Review: Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) directed by Tensai Okamura Yukie Fujikaze is a popular young actress most famous for starring in the title role of the “Princess Gale” movie series, as a ninja princess with “rainbow chakra.” Sadly, while she is indeed a skilled actress in addition to… Continue reading Movie Review: Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
Tag: samurai
Manga Review: One Hundred Tales
Manga Review: One Hundred Tales by Osamu Tezuka It is the Warring States period of Ancient Japan. Ichirui Hanri, though of the samurai social class, has been an accountant his entire life, never training in combat or lifting a sword. This has not prevented him from getting caught up in a rebellion against the lord,… Continue reading Manga Review: One Hundred Tales
Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967) directed by Masaki Kobayashi (Japanese title: Joiuchi–Hairyo Tsuma Shimatsu, “Rebellion–Receive the Wife”) The time: 1723-1727 C.E. during the Shogunate period. The place: The Aizu province ruled by Lord Matsudaira, a bit north of Edo. The person: Ichi (Yoko Tsukasa), daughter of a minor vassal. Ichi has been arranged to marry another vassal’s… Continue reading Movie Review: Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023 by various creators It’s the eleventh anniversary of this blog! As every year, let’s take a look at the long-running colossus that is Weekly Shounen Jump! One Piece has moved on from the Wano storyline to one involving frequently referenced mad scientist(s) Dr. Vegapunk, who is not as cool… Continue reading Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023
Movie Review: Sword of the Beast
Movie Review: Sword of the Beast (1965) directed by Hideo Gosha It is 1857, towards the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Commodore Perry’s ships have forced Japan to open its ports, and social change is rippling across Japan. Yuuki Gennosuke (Mikijiro Hira) thought he was going to help bring reform, but instead wound up killing his… Continue reading Movie Review: Sword of the Beast
Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14
Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14 by Fumi Yoshinaga Note: This review may contain SPOILERS for earlier volumes; you may want to read previous reviews if you are unfamiliar with the series. Quick recap: In an alternate history, Shogunate Japan was struck by an epidemic of “red-faced pox”, also known as “bearpox.” For unclear… Continue reading Manga Review: Ōoku Volumes 13 & 14
Movie Review: Seven Samurai
Movie Review: Seven Samurai (1954) directed by Akira Kurosawa It is in the Warring Stages period of Japanese history, but between major battles, so many samurai and soldiers are at loose ends, and bandits roam the countryside. An isolated farm village learns that the local bandit gang that already took their rice harvest is coming back… Continue reading Movie Review: Seven Samurai
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (2021)
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (2021) It’s the ninth anniversary of my blog, and time once again to look at the current state of Shonen Jump! As with last year, I read Jump through the official Viz Comics website. One Piece continues to be the tentpole series, having reached Chapter 1000 this year and still… Continue reading Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (2021)
Manga Review: Orient #1
Manga Review: Orient #1 by Shinobu Ohtaka 150 years ago, the Land of the Setting Sun was run by samurai warlords who oppressed the peasants and ruined the land in constant fighting. Then the gods arrived and defeated the samurai. Now the gods rule the land and have brought peace and prosperity. Or at least… Continue reading Manga Review: Orient #1
Movie Review: Princess Mononoke
Movie Review: Princess Mononoke (1997) directed by Hayao Miyazaki When Prince Ashitaka’s remote village is attacked by an accursed boar monster, he is forced to slay the creature. But this passes the curse along to him in the form of scarring on his right arm that gives him superhuman strength, but sometimes takes control of the… Continue reading Movie Review: Princess Mononoke