"PEACE MAKER Kurogane Yumei" movie version: A thorough review of the moving story and beautiful visuals

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane Tomomine": A battlefield where history and youth intersect

The animated film "PEACE MAKER Kurogane Tomoyuki," released on November 17, 2018, is based on the popular manga "PEACE MAKER Kurogane" by Nanae Kurono. Set during the turbulent period of the late Edo period, the film depicts the growth and conflicts of young people who fight as members of the Shinsengumi. Distributed by Shogakukan and animated by WHITE FOX, the film is a short 57-minute film that conveys deep human drama and the weight of history.

story

In 1868, the Battle of Toba-Fushimi broke out, a conflict between the Shogunate and Satsuma armies. Toshizo Hijikata, vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, was in command on the front lines, while Yamazaki Susumu, the inspector, was treating the wounded as the unit's doctor. However, the Shinsengumi was gradually cornered by an overwhelmingly unfavorable gunfight and the defection of Yodo Castle to Satsuma. Meanwhile, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, who was running around trying to buy the freedom of Saya, a girl he loved, left the unit and heard the news of the Shogunate's defeat. While asking himself why he joined the Shinsengumi, Tetsunosuke once again picked up his sword and resolved to return to the unit. However, a fateful battle that he could not resist began.

Commentary

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane" depicts the story of young men who aspire to become samurai, travel to Kyoto, and then rush into battle to bring glory to their hometown. This manga by Kurono Nanae was serialized in Monthly Comic Garden and the web comic site MAGCOMI, and has captivated many fans for many years. Fans were delighted to see this work, which has been adapted into various media mixes such as TV anime, TV drama, stage plays, and drama CDs, once again released in theaters as an anime. The story of Ichimura Tetsunosuke and his friends, who grow through encounters and partings during their life as a member of the Shinsengumi, was written in 2018 as a two-part series.

cast

The cast of this film is as follows:

• Tetsunosuke Ichimura: Yuki Kaji
• Tetsunosuke Ichimura (childhood): Yumiko Kobayashi
• Toshizo Hijikata: Joji Nakata
• Susumu Yamazaki: Takahiro Sakurai
• Shinpachi Nagakura: Kappei Yamaguchi
• Saito Hajime: Matsuyama Takashi
• Kondo Isamu: Takaya Hashi
• Yamatoya Bell: Shinnosuke Tachibana
• Okita Souji: Saiga Mitsuki
• Tatsunosuke Ichimura: Yuji Ueda
• Sanosuke Harada: Kenji Nomura
• Kai Shimada: Masami Iwasaki
• Saya: Mikako Takahashi
• Ayumi Yamazaki: Yuko Nagashima

Main Staff

The main staff of this work are as follows:

• Original story: Nanae Kurono (published in "Monthly Comic Garden" and the web comic site "MAGCOMI")
• Director: Shigeru Kimiya
• Character design and chief animation director: Sayaka Koiso
• Screenplay: Eiji Umehara
• Set design: Goichi Iwahata
• Director of photography: Mitsuhiro Sato
• Color design: Makiko Doi
• Edited by: Masahiro Goto
• Sound Director: Toshiki Kameyama
• Animation Production: WHITE FOX
• Music: Ryosuke Nakanishi
• Distributor: Showgate
• Special cooperation: Kyoto City

Main Characters

Let me introduce the main characters of this work.

• Tetsunosuke Ichimura : In order to avenge the death of his parents, he joined the Shinsengumi with his brother Tatsunosuke. He serves as a page to Toshizo Hijikata. He is a hot-blooded boy with a bright and straightforward personality, and is an agile practical fighter. He believes in "not killing people" and cares deeply for Saya, a girl who lives in Shimabara.
• Yamazaki Susumu : Inspector of the Shinsengumi, he also serves as a medical officer at the suggestion of the doctor Matsumoto Ryojun. After his sister's death, he becomes friends with Tetsunosuke. He is good at disguise and has a calm, collected and serious personality. However, he also has a kind, albeit blunt, side, as seen in his concern for the condition of the sick Okita Souji.
• Toshizo Hijikata : Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi. A practitioner of the Tennen Rishin-ryu style of swordsmanship. Nicknamed the "Demon Vice-Commander," he is feared by the other members of the corps, but he cares about the Shinsengumi more than anyone else. He cares about his subordinates, and keeps Tetsunosuke by his side as a page. He is the person who best understands the commander, Kondo Isami, and is concerned about Okita, whose tuberculosis is worsening.
• Shinpachi Nagakura : Captain of the second division of the Shinsengumi and a master of the Shinto Munenryu style of swordsmanship. He is on good terms with Todo and Harada within the division. Although he has a friendly personality, he is also smart and perceptive, so he is sensitive to the subtleties of others.
• Sanosuke Harada : Captain of the 10th division of the Shinsengumi. He is a master of the spear in the Taneda Hozoin style. He has a simple and bold personality and doesn't think too deeply about things. However, he is a kind-hearted person and is highly trusted by his unit. He also has a scar from a seppuku ritual on his stomach.
• Heisuke Todo : Captain of the Shinsengumi's 8th Division. A master of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style of swordsmanship. After the death of Keisuke Yamanami, he began to question the direction of the group, and was invited by Koshitaro Ito and others to join the Goryoeji and leave the Shinsengumi. After the Aburanokoji Incident, he reconciled with Nagakura and Harada, but was slashed to death by other members of the group.
• Souji Okita : Captain of the Shinsengumi's First Division. His skills in Tenshinrishin-ryu are the best in the division. He is usually a smiley and playful person, but when he holds a sword he becomes a different person. However, he suffers from tuberculosis and his health continues to deteriorate, and he is frustrated that he cannot be of any help to the Shinsengumi.
• Ichimura Tatsunosuke : Tetsunosuke's older brother. Having lost his parents, he is overprotective and very sweet towards his younger brother Tetsunosuke. Although he is a Shinsengumi accountant, after the Aburanokoji incident he becomes convinced that his guns can help the Shinsengumi, and becomes absorbed in developing and manufacturing rifles.
• Saito Hajime : Captain of the Shinsengumi's third division. A powerful figure in the Mugai-ryu school of swordsmanship, said to be on par with Okita. He has the special ability to speak to the dead and predict the future. After confronting Tetsunosuke in the Aburanokoji incident, he realizes that he too can be a cog in the wheel of history, and decides to watch over his future.
• Saya : A girl who works as a maid at a store in Shimabara. She is mute due to her dark past. She has a slight crush on Tetsunosuke.
• Kai Shimada : Corporal of the second squad, inspector of the Shinsengumi. A dynamic and kind-hearted older brother, he continues to support the Shinsengumi for years to come.
• Kondo Isami : Shinsengumi chief. Head of the Tennenrishin-ryu school. He has a kind and generous personality and treats Tetsunosuke kindly. In general, he shows his strict side as chief.
• Yamatoya Suzu : A page to Yoshida Toshimaro, a samurai of the Choshu clan. His older brother was killed by the Shinsengumi, and his mentor Yoshida was also killed in the Ikedaya Incident. He was once friends with Tetsunosuke without revealing his true identity, but after the Ikedaya Incident he came to hate Tetsunosuke and his only purpose in life is revenge. He always carries Yoshida's skull, painted black lacquer.
• Ayumi Yamazaki : The woman who manages all household chores at the Shinsengumi barracks. The meals she makes, commonly known as "Ayumi Meshi," are extremely popular among the soldiers. Although it was kept secret within the unit, she is the sister of Susumu Yamazaki and also works as a spy for the Shinsengumi.

Related Titles

The original work is "PEACE MAKER Kurogane" by Nanae Kurono, which is serialized in Monthly Comic Garden and the web comic site MAGCOMI. It has also been adapted into various media mixes, including a TV anime, TV drama, stage play, and drama CD.

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for this work are as follows:

• TM1 "Rust"
• Lyricist: Fujito Junior
• Composer: Fujito Junior
• Vocals: Judge Johnson
• TM2 "Don't let go of the shadow you've grasped"
• Lyricist: Fujito Junior
• Composer: Fujito Junior
• Vocals: Judge Johnson

Evaluation and Impressions

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane Tomomine" skillfully incorporates historical background while depicting the growth and conflicts of young people. In particular, the character of Ichimura Tetsunosuke is impressive for his cheerful and straightforward personality and his belief in "not killing people," deeply moving the audience. In addition, the human relationships of the Shinsengumi soldiers and their suffering on the battlefield are depicted realistically, making it appealing not only to history fans but also to those who love youth dramas.

The animation was produced by WHITE FOX, and the technical capabilities of the production were superb. The character designs and background art are beautiful, and the atmosphere of a period drama is faithfully reproduced. In particular, the intensity of the battle scenes and the detailed expressions of the characters have the power to draw the audience in. Furthermore, the wonderful music by Ryosuke Nakanishi further deepens the emotion of the story.

The acting of the cast is also excellent, especially Kaji Yuki's passionate performance as Tetsunosuke, which touches the audience's heart. Nakata Jouji as Hijikata Toshizou and Sakurai Takahiro as Yamazaki Susumu are also excellent, digging deep into the inner world of their characters.

Reasons for recommendation

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane Tomoyo" is a work that can be recommended not only to history buffs, but also to those who love youth dramas and human dramas. In particular, it is a must-see for those who are interested in the Shinsengumi of the late Edo period. In addition, the beautiful animation and moving story will be enjoyed by a wide range of people.

Furthermore, this work will satisfy fans of the original work, faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work while depicting the story from a new perspective. In order to make it enjoyable even for those who are unfamiliar with the original work, the necessary background explanations are carefully provided, so even first-time viewers can watch it with confidence.

The theme song and insert songs are also wonderful, with Judge Johnson's singing voice further enhancing the emotion of the story. In particular, "Rust" and "Hold on to the Shadows" are perfect for the theme of the story and will resonate deeply with the audience.

Conclusion

"PEACE MAKER Kurogane Tomomine" is a moving work that depicts a battlefield where history and youth intersect. Beautiful animation, deep human drama, wonderful music and the performances of the cast combine to leave a strong impression on the audience. This work can be recommended to a wide range of people, including history buffs, those who love youth dramas, and fans of the original work. Please watch this work and experience the growth and conflicts of Ichimura Tetsunosuke and his friends.