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Synopsis:
In an unspecified future, in a country closed off to the outside world for 500 years and swarming with rebels, the government recruits a clan of assassins called the Takemizaguchi. Their youngest member, Yuki, is the only one with pure Takemizaguchi blood. Her mother, once ruler, was killed by the current leader, Byakurai. A confrontation with Byakurai forces Yuki to go on the run, ending up at the home of Takashi, a reluctant rebel who abhors the senseless killing around him. Takashi struggles to relinquish his activist role while Byakurai and the remaining Takemizaguchi confront Yuki for a final showdown. |
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Review:
This live action manga is enjoyable in a low key way: no flashy sets, a fairly thin plot, but if sword fights are what you're looking for, then look no further. The lead actress (Shaku Yumiko) apparently did many of her own stunts, and comes off surprisingly well for one who looks so soft and young. Life in her neck of the woods is clearly a lot more difficult than most of the tribulations we have to endure.
I particularly liked the costumes. Not because they were flashy and gorgeous, but because they weren't. The bare-bones utility of the costumes added a dose of realism, especially given the penchant of many filmmakers to reason thus: "It's set in the future, right? So we've got to have either Ming The Merciless beads and sequins, or Mad Max rags and tatters. Flash or flutter, what's it to be?" I hate to disappoint some of you, but yer average fightin' blade-babe ain't gonna be showing a lotta leg in a chamois bikini: she's gonna wear something that might provide a bit of protection against the blades that go whizzing around her soft parts (i.e. anything encased by skin).
Overall convincing, and well worth watching.
7.5 Thoroughly Padded Outifts out of 10 by Alison Jobling back to the top
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