Sword of the Stranger is movie that came out in 2007, but it’ll have a lasting effect on anyone who has watched it. The anime is one of the few that’s described as having a good story that actually makes sense. Clearly that’s enough to win some awards. That it did at the International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre for Best Animated Feature. The animation by BONES studios remains very high for nearly all of the slightly over one hundred minutes it lasts. Backgrounds actually move a little!
The story starts off with a boy named Kotaro who must run away from the monastery he was staying at. The place was attacked and Kotaro was left by himself. After looking for food he returns to the old shrine he was staying at, but found a lone nameless assassin resting inside. Kotaro employs the assassin with a glass piece that was suppose to be of much worth, as he needs his dog companion to be treated for poisoning after they were both attacked. Their trip to save the dog and helping the kid to the other Buddhist monastery is successful, however the head of that monastery had other plans with the boy. This is where the Kotaro is special part comes in because everyone is after him. He’s then kidnapped and taken to where a special ceremony is to take place. The already paid and cheated assassin grew to care about the boy and tries to come to his rescue before it’s too late. Only thing keeping him from killing everyone in his way is himself. This is because he fought in previous wars and decided to never draw his sword again and he even went as far at to tie it from being pulled from. Kinda sounds like Rurouni Kenshin doesn’t it?
The pair really go well together. One is a quiet mellow guy who’s experienced enough trauma and the other a brave strong and caring child. If the two were to live normal lives together, they’d surely do something special. Kotaro may seem like a brat to some, but he is too smart and driven to work for someone else. Having hims a boy was wise because it gives his friend someone easier to relate and innocent enough to help him get over his guilt. Both are shown to be very well spirited the good use of animation conveyed it well. This anime almost feels Dororo inspired.
There’s quite a bit of action and most of it is animated well enough to be some of the best sword fighting you’ve seen in an anime. Many parts are pretty graphic as well. People are cut up, there’s blood, and a part when one guys arm wasn’t even cut off all the way. Much of this even happens with the kid and dog nearby. Much fighting is between the Japanese and a band of warriors from China. Only difference is that in this anime, neither are shown less evil than the other.
DVDs are already in stores from Bandai. If you liked Dororo, Peacemaker Kurogane, or Rurouni Kenshin, then you’ll like this. Hopefully this review was easy to read and gave enough reason to watch. There are more screenshots under the cut.
