Rurouni Kenshin (2012)

Review Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin might not be known to everyone, but it is a Japanese manga series (also known as Samurai X). It tells the story of a samurai named Himura Kenshin (Takeru Satoh), who after the start of a new age in Japanese history decides to no longer kill and protect those in trouble. He even carries a sword where the sharp edge is on the inside, not being able to hurt others with it.

When a murder takes place the police find a letter, claiming the murder is performed by this samurai, also known as Battosai. Not everyone is convinced though as a cruel businessman (an enjoyable scene chewing role by Teruyuki Kagawa) is trying to expand his power and wealth selling opium. Himurau Kenshin meets a woman who tries to run the dojo her father left her, with little success. When a group of thugs tries to get their hands on the dojo it is Himurau who makes sure to stop them. Samurai X has to prove his innocence and protect the ones he cares for. Continue reading

13 Assasins (2010)

When you are talking about samurai movie there of course is only on movie against which you measure other ones, Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai in which a small village has to be defended by a couple of samurai warriors hired by the village.
The story of 13 Assasins is slightly different: an evil lord, Naritsugu Matsudaira, reigns with an iron fist and isn’t afraid of using mutilation and rape to make everyone fear him. He’s about to climb on the political ladder which could have a big impact on the land. The samurai decide that he has to be stopped and they devise a plan to assassinate him. Continue reading