"Kamui no Ken" review: A masterpiece of period anime?

"Kamui no Ken": A grand story of time and adventure

Released on March 9, 1985, "Kamui no Ken" is an animated film based on the historical adventure novel by Toru Yano, and was produced as the third installment of Kadokawa Animation's animation series. The film is set in America, rather than in Japan at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, and tells the story of the growth and revenge of a young man named Jiro. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of the film, as well as some recommended points.

Overview

■ Public Media: theater
■ Original Media: comics
■ Release date: March 9, 1985 - January 1, 0000
■Distribution company: Toei
■ Eirin Number: 111523
■Frequencies: 132 min
■ Number of Episodes: Episode 1
■Original Story: Toru Yano
■ Director: Rintaro
■ Production: Project Team Argos Madhouse
■Works: ©1985 Kadokawa Haruki Corporation

story

■ Story

At the end of the Edo period, Jiro, a foundling living in a poor village on the Shimokita Peninsula, is framed for the murder of his foster mother and sister, and chased out of the village. He is picked up by Tenkai, the head of the government's garden, and trains to become a ninja to avenge his parents' deaths. As he grows up, he is told that a clue to his father, who was also a ninja, is in the Ainu sacred ground of Shinopirika Kotan, and is ordered to search for it. However, it was actually Tenkai who killed Jiro's father and foster parent. The short sword Kamui no Tsurugi, entrusted to Jiro by Jiro's father Tarosa, contained the mystery of the treasure of the pirate Captain Kidd. Tarosa disappeared while solving the mystery, and Tenkai killed him, believing that Jiro, Tarosa's surviving son, would solve the mystery just like his father. After meeting his biological mother, Oyaruru, and hearing the truth from her, Jiro becomes a ninja and vows to take revenge on Tenkai. Jiro eventually travels to America, and with the help of the Native Americans with whom he has made a family pact and Mark Twain, he manages to get hold of Kidd's treasure after many hardships. Returning to Japan, which is shaking with the overthrow of the shogunate, Jiro corners Tenkai and finally settles things one-on-one with him during the Battle of Hakodate...

Commentary

■Explanation

This film is based on an adventure novel written by Toru Yano, and was produced and released as the third animated film by Kadokawa Pictures, following "Genma Taisen" and "Boy Kenya". It was shown alongside "Bobby's Head Over Heels". It features a stylish screen design that freely moves between stillness and movement, light and darkness, and vibrant colors and monochrome colors. The music, which incorporates Japanese instruments such as chorus and Japanese drums reminiscent of the Kecak of Bali in Polynesia, into the rock band arrangement, is also highly compatible with the images.

cast

■Cast

・Jiro/Hiroyuki Sanada・Tenkai・Takamori Saigo/Gentaro Ishida・Oyuki/Mami Koyama・Sanpei/Takeshi Aono・Tarosa/Michio Usami・Shozan Ando/Ichiro Nagai・Chico/Yuriko Yamamoto・Sam/Kazuyuki Sogabe

Main Staff

■ Main staff

・Produced by / Haruki Kadokawa・Original story / Toru Yano・Director / Rintaro・Screenplay / Masaki Mamoru・Cinematography / Yamaki Iwa・Editing / Osamu Tanaka・Art / Kazuo Oga, Tadao Kubota・Art director / Takamura Mukuo・Character design / Morimi Murano・Music / Osamu Tanaka・Music director / Ryudo Uzaki, Eitetsu Hayashi・Animation director / Takuo Noda・Sound producer / Susumu Aketagawa・Producers / Masao Maruyama, Satoru Ikegami, Rintaro・Production / Project Team Argos, Madhouse

Main Characters

■ Main Characters

・The son of Jiro-ninja Taroza and Ainu girl Oyaruru. He was raised as a ninja by Tenkai, his father's enemy, and was used by him, but eventually he turned to revenge. He uses the Iaido sword technique and Kamui Mubyōshi.

Tenkai is the head of the Shogunate's government gardeners, disguised as a gentle and high priest. He has several substitutes. He is trying to get his hands on Captain Kidd's treasure.

A female ninja under Tenkai who is pursuing Oyuki Jiro. She is a master of the 'clone' technique. As she pursues Jiro, she falls in love with him. In fact, she is Jiro's older sister who was kidnapped by Tenkai when she was a baby.

He is a ninja under the command of Sanpei Tenkai, but is actually a spy sent by the Satsuma clan. He secretly saves his old friend Taro's son Jiro from difficult situations on many occasions.

Taro Sasa is a secret agent of the Satsuma clan who uncovered the mystery of Captain Kidd's treasure. He is Jiro's father, but he was tricked by Tenkai and killed by Jiro.

A reclusive scholar who lives in Shiretoko Kotan. He helps the injured Jiro, teaches him about the vastness of the world, and solves part of the mystery of the treasure hidden in the Kamuy Sword.

Chico: A French girl raised by Native Americans. She adores Jiro, who saved her from outlaws. Her father, a French spy, was killed by Tenkai.

A black slave on the ship that Sam Jiro boarded to go to America. After Jiro bought him and set him free, he came to regard him as his master and accompanied him on the journey.

Evaluation and appeal of the work

"Kamui no Ken" is set against the historical backdrop of Japan's transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration, and tells the story of the growth and revenge of a young man named Jiro. The appeal of this work can be summed up in the following points:

1. A spectacular storyline

Jiro's story begins in a remote village on the Shimokita Peninsula and spreads to the Ainu's sacred land, Shinopirika Kotan, and America. This vast setting enhances Jiro's growth and adventures. In the process of unraveling the mystery of Captain Kidd's treasure, Jiro meets many different people and grows as a person. This epic storyline has the power to draw viewers in.

2. Beautiful visuals and music

The visuals of this work are characterized by a stylish screen design that freely moves between stillness and movement, light and darkness, and vibrant colors and monochrome colors. In particular, the scene in which Jiro visits the Ainu sacred site and the scene depicting the vast nature of America are visually delightful with beautiful colors and movement. In terms of music, the chorus reminiscent of the Kecak of Bali, Polynesia, and the music that incorporates Japanese instruments such as Japanese drums into a rock band arrangement work together with the images to enhance the appeal of the work.

3. Deep character portrayals

Each of the main characters, including Jiro, has a deep background and emotions. In particular, the story of Jiro's growth and revenge leaves a strong impression on the viewer by depicting his inner conflict and growth. In addition, characters such as Tenkai, Oyuki, and Sanpei are also deeply drawn through their relationships with Jiro, enriching the story as a whole.

4. Historical background and adventure

Jiro's adventures are depicted against the historical backdrop of Japan's transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration, creating a unique worldview that combines history and adventure. This fusion gives viewers a fresh sense of surprise and excitement. Another highlight is the scene where Western and Eastern cultures intersect as Jiro travels to America.

Recommended points

"Kamui no Ken" is recommended for the following viewers:

1. People who love history and adventure

This adventure story set against the historical backdrop of Japan's transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration is a fascinating work for anyone who likes history and adventure. Through the story of Jiro's growth and revenge, you can enjoy both history and adventure.

2. People who are particular about visuals and music

The stylish screen design and music, which incorporates a rock band arrangement of Japanese instruments such as Japanese drums and choruses reminiscent of the Kecak of Bali, Polynesia, make this a satisfying work for those who are particular about visuals and music. The fusion of images and music enhances the appeal of the work.

3. People who want to enjoy deep character portrayals

The deep backgrounds and emotions of the main characters, including Jiro, make this a fascinating work for those who enjoy deep character portrayals. In particular, the story of Jiro's growth and revenge leaves a strong impression on viewers by depicting his inner conflict and growth.

4. People who want to enjoy the intermingling of cultures

The scene where Jiro travels to America and Western and Eastern cultures intersect is an appealing work for those who enjoy cultural intermingling. This intermingling gives viewers a fresh surprise and excitement.

summary

"Kamui no Ken" is a grand adventure story set against the historical backdrop of Japan's transition from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration. Through the story of Jiro's growth and revenge, you can enjoy both history and adventure. In addition, the stylish screen design and music that incorporates Japanese instruments such as choruses reminiscent of the Kecak of Bali, Polynesia, and Japanese drums into a rock band arrangement make this a satisfying work for those who are particular about visuals and music. In addition, the deep backgrounds and emotions of the main characters, including Jiro, make this a fascinating work for those who want to enjoy deep character portrayals. And the scene where Western and Eastern cultures intersect as Jiro travels to America is an attractive work for those who want to enjoy the intermingling of cultures. Please watch this work and enjoy the story of Jiro's grand adventure and growth.

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