Ah another anime movie I saw back in the 90's because I felt I had to see it as it was seen as the right/popular thing to do/see (so easily influenced when you're young). Yes in my early to mid-teens (can't remember) I did see this anime (somehow) after seeing and hearing lots about it...probably mainly in Forbidden Planet. As I recall I didn't actually like this film upon seeing it (same with most animes at the time) because it simply wasn't really my thing at the time. Back then my young self was all about Arnie and JCVD so this didn't really fit into my wheelhouse.
So seeing as I'm on this little anime binge right now its time to revisit this supernatural samurai epic. Firstly what's it all about? Well like other anime films the plot is actually quite simplistic. Taking place in feudal Japan, Jubei Kibagami is a Ronin of sorts, a wandering masterless samurai looking for work. Upon rescuing the female ninja Kagero Jubei finds himself caught up in a battle against the eight devils of Kimon who are a team of supernatural ninjas hired by the Yamashiro clan to protect their secret gold mining operation. The gold are payments to the Toyotomi Shogun of the Dark for protection. In turn the Shogun of the Dark wants to use the gold to buy Spanish weaponry to overthrow the current Japanese government. Bottom line, Jubei and Kagero must defeat all the bad guys to protect the government.
Visuals and Animation: So let's just get down to the nitty-gritty. This film looks amazing, stunning, sumptuous. The director is once again Yoshiaki Kawajiri (of 'Wicked City' and 'Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust' fame) and it is obvious in the style. The animation is silky smooth throughout with tonnes of tiny details. For example there are many simple shots of nature, such as fireflies, rippling water, trees, birds etc...which are there merely to add atmosphere in the moment but at the same time are beautifully drawn and animated. There is absolutely no slacking on any frame of this animation I assure you. Every frame looks like an exquisite watercolour painting from the bamboo forest to the mystical woodlands to the shimmering bodies of water. Add to that various striking sequences that utilise only one or two colours such as red and black or shades of blue which look very dynamic and comicbook-esque.
Violence and Non-Consensual Sex: As you might expect with a sword based anime feature there is indeed a lot of violence...and it's amazing. The ninja based action is nothing short of breathtaking as characters whizz around the screen slicing and dicing in super-smooth animation. I think the first fight we see sets out the stall for the film. A group of ninja is massacred whilst investigating an attack on a local village by one of the eight demons of Kimon. They are brutally cut to pieces by his flying blade which then culminates in their leader having his arms ripped off (out of their sockets) in a shower of claret. Said demon does actually eventually get his own blade firmly implanted in the centre of his skull. There are some amazing katana fights between Jubei and various villains which are heightened by the sound effects which really add some weight to the proceedings. And of course you have the obligatory supernatural elements of gore and trickery that are a staple diet of these productions.
Another staple of Kawajiri's animes seems to be nudity and rape (gulp!). Yes once again the lead female character Kagero seems to be more of a sexual toy for certain fantasies rather than a strong female character (although she still is that). Now whilst 'Wicked City' was more bizarre with its body horror element this film feels a bit more realistic, almost. Sure the characters doing the rape are supernatural demons but they still have human form and are generally dressed in historic attire. So yeah there are nipples and sucking and fingering and rope bondage and licking...all whilst being unconscious. The fact that Kagero's body is covered in a poisonous toxic that can't be cured makes the porn aspects seem more dangerously kinky and vindicating if that's at all possible, or just me.
The other rather hilarious and uncomfortable plot point is the fact that Dakuan informs Jubei that the only way to rid himself of the poison he gave him (Dakuan deliberately injects poison into Jubei via a ninja star to blackmail him into doing his bidding) is to have sex with Kagero. Apparently the toxins across Kagero's body will combat and reverse the poison in Jubei's body. So not much pressure there then! Unfortunately for Kagero Jubei declines (she fancies him) but later on he kisses her and cures himself that way (so why didn't Dakuan just say that?).
Representation: Yes there is LGBTQ representation in this old anime film. It seems in times gone by people have been happy to showcase gay characters despite what the far-left Twitterati try to force down our throats. Gemma's right-hand man Yurimaru is his male lover! He even pushes back on a fellow female villain's advances! How about that then! We don't see any man love, surprising when you think about it, but the representation and lovers angst is definitely there.
Old Wise Men: Another aspect of these animes that seems to keep popping up is the wise old man character, something I have pointed out in previous reviews. Yep in this story Jubei and Kagero are aided by the short, Yodi-esque, troll-like character of Dakuan. Dakuan is a government spy charged with helping Jubei kill the demons. As already stated he does so by poisoning Jubei and promising him the cure after he completes the mission. As you might expect Dakuan is one of these characters that hides much of his skills, only showing the odd glimmer of what he can do. We know he has some kind of special powers and we know he can move quickly (despite his appearance) and is an expert in stealth. Again, like other similar characters, Dakuan is also the comedic relief in the film.
As for the other characters, its the usual anime cliche truth be told. The main protagonist Jubei is your standard good looking western-esque anime hero with a slim wiry physique, lightning katana skills, and long flowing dark hair. His female partner is again your standard attractive western-esque looking heroine with a slim physique, a slightly tomboy-ish hairstyle, and also lightning fast weapons skills.
Most of the main bad guys also have a very cliched look about them which we've seen many times now (thanks to films like this). Himuro Gemma is a large hulking handsome western-esque looking villain with a lantern jaw and almost invincible fighting skills (but he is a demon). Whereas Yurimaru is the typical calm but deadly handsome skinny villain who dresses all in white, has even longer flowing hair and looks almost religious. He is able to generate electricity through his body and conducts it down a steel wire he strangles people with. The other demons literally come across like a Capcom fighting roster. There's a ninja bloke who can utilise shadows. A sexy chick with living snake tattoos. A massive bloke who can turn his skin to stone. Another sexy chick who can manipulate gunpowder in all manner of weird ways. And a hunchback with a living hornet's nest in his back!
In short almost everyone is very good looking with lovely straight flowing hair and great muscle structure that is either just right, hulking, or monstrous. At the same time there is also that typical exaggerated facial anime style where characters have extremely strong jaws, chiseled cheekbones, and long chins. Their features are basically very prominent...with perfect hair. Oh and everyone is really fit, even the people that don't look it. Can make you a bit self-conscious.
As I've hinted at here and there, nowadays this film will come across as rather unoriginal. But that's only because many properties have more than likely been highly influenced by other properties that were originally influenced by this anime. You can spot so many ideas that will have popped up in so many flicks over the years, not to mention videogames. Hell this anime is almost like a
Samurai Shodown movie. That's not a bad thing, I love it! Overall the sizzling action sequences, hyper turbo characters, and absolutely gorgeous artwork and animation are just so good and engaging I can't not give this a perfect score. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this. A true cult classic, an all-round epic, a work of art.
10/10
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