9 Movies Like The Last Samurai
Japanese Samurai movies like The Last Samurai are Samurai movies that need to be recent, well-made, and ages well. We’re aware that there are probably tons of Samurai movies that we missed out on but since we keep this rule of having watched whatever we put on our lists, this selection is something that we have to stand by
Zatoichi (2003)
The first film in the series, Zatoichi follows the story of a blind swordsman named Shintaro Katsu, who plays the titular character. After a decade of filming, Katsu died in 1997, and Saito, his friend, was left the copyright of the popular character. Chieko Saito persuades Takeshi Kitano to create a new installment of the film series.
The film is set in 19th century Japan, where a clan of thieves, known as the Kuchinawa, have kept villagers in line with a cruel policy. As a result, the people of the village are poor and helpless. But a wandering masseuse, a blind warrior known as Zatoichi, stumbles upon the ruthless Kuchinawa clan and ends up serving justice to the people of the village. Along the way, Zatoichi is confronted with a compulsive gambler, two mysterious geishas, a mercenary, and other characters.
13 Assassins (2010)
If you like action movies, you’ll enjoy the swashbuckling story of the 13 Assassins in this 2010 movie. This action-packed tale follows the assassins who work for a powerful feudal lord, Shinzaemon. He hires 11 samurai and a 13th, non-samurai, to take down Lord Matsudaira. Their plan involves buying out a town and booby-trapping it to wait for Lord Matsudaira, who is expected to pass through.
The plot follows the same basic rules that make the original Seven Samurai so iconic. The storyline of 13 Assassins is similar to Seven Samurai, a classic samurai film directed by Akira Kurosawa. While it doesn’t have Kurosawa’s renowned samurai style, this remake is still classic and worth seeing. Takashi Miike’s unyielding cinematography and traditional storyline make for an enjoyable action-packed film.
Despite the shogunate’s corruption and decadence, the thirteen samurai fight back against this threat. They must take out the evil creature and the private army that he has gathered. But they’re up against impossible odds. After all, the shogunate is already a corrupt, hive of nepotism. It’s time to kill the monster and restore peace to the feudal society.
Blade of The Immortal (2017)
Blade of the Immortal is a thrilling action movie that adapts a popular manga series. Unlike most anime movies and polished teenage sagas, Blade of the Immortal is more about action than looks. Miike’s direction is fun and visually arresting, and the film’s vast amount of extras in battle scenes demonstrates Miike’s skill. But Blade of the Immortal isn’t without flaws.
Takashi Miike has been directing feature films since 1995 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. While “Yojimbo” was his breakthrough film in the US, Blade of the Immortal is a visually ambitious adaptation of the revered manga. With its intense action sequences and famous actors, the film is an enthralling adventure. Blade of the Immortal is a must-see for fans of violent action and fantasy movies.
Manji, a samurai with a mysterious past, commits heinous crimes in his previous life. After killing a corrupt official’s bodyguards, Manji accidentally kills his sister’s betrothed. Her death fractures her mind, so Manji seeks revenge on her killers. But his luck runs out when a group of hired killers comes after him, and he is thrown into a demonic rage. After he succumbs to his wounds, a mysterious stranger grants him immortality.
Rurouni Kenshin (2012)
The Rurouni Kenshin movie is an action-adventure Japanese manga film based on the book series by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It was directed by Keishi Otomo and stars Takeru Sato as the titular hero, Himura Kenshin. The movie follows the exploits of the titular hero as he travels across Japan and offers protection and aid to those in need.
The story takes place during the Meiji era when the Meiji government shoots Shishio and attempts to burn him alive. He survives but is permanently crippled. The government also damaged his sweat glands, and he cannot fight for more than fifteen minutes. The film follows the story of Kenshin’s rebirth and his journey to a new Japan. This is a very interesting movie to watch if you’re a fan of manga or anime series.
The original manga features an intense and emotionally complex hero with enormous mood swings. It also features a cast of female characters you’d swear to protect. And the sword-fighting action sequences are great. While there are a few gaps, the movie still stands out for its original manga and anime series. Whether you’re a fan of the manga or just want to watch a great action movie, it’s well worth watching.
After the first movie, it’s not too hard to see why Rurouni Kenshin has been a popular anime series for decades. It’s a fantastic adaptation of the renowned Tai chi-Tai kung fu manga series. Despite its resurgence in popularity, it’s still the perfect anime movie for a teen audience.
Shogun Assassin (1979)
If you’ve ever had the urge to watch a Japanese samurai movie, you might want to try the Shogun Assassin 1979 movie. It is a great movie that combines historical fact with fantasy, a genre that’s gaining ground in the west. In the movie, a young man named General Sanada searches for revenge against the Shogun for killing his father. But, how do you go about taking on a superhuman supervillain?
In the movie, Ogami Itto is out for vengeance. His wife was killed by the shogun, and he began a life of vengeance. As an infant, he was given the choice between death and vengeance. He chose the latter, and his first attacker is killed. His second attacker is also killed, but Ogami has an ulterior motive. He then plans to kill the Shogun, and he vows to do so in the movie.
The film is a classic Japanese samurai action series. Considered the pinnacle of Japanese exploitation cinema, these films chronicle the exploits of disgraced Shogun assassin Ogami Itto. He travels the country, searching for revenge against a secret society that wants his blood. While on his quest, he finds himself in demand and ends up rescuing a young girl from a pimp.
Ran (1985)
The plot of the Japanese period drama “Ran” is inspired by the legends of the Sengoku-era daimyo Mori Motonari. Kurosawa originally thought that the story would be based on the story of Shakespeare’s King Lear, but later realized that it was more like King Lear, a play by William Shakespeare. Kurosawa began writing the film in 1975, after completing another movie called Dersu Uzala. Kurosawa then left the film to rest for seven years, allowing it to take shape.
Although the plot isn’t very original, it evokes a strong sense of pristine cinema. The story revolves around a man who has waged war his entire life and tries to bring peace in his old age. As he aged, the old man unleashes an even greater level of turmoil in his world. Many film critics consider Ran to be Kurosawa’s masterpiece.
The battle sequences in Ran are the movie’s greatest strength, but this film also makes use of the firearm to further its message. Unlike swords, bows, and arrows, a firearm lays waste to anything in its path. In fact, Kurosawa argued that people had learned to kill more effectively and efficiently. As a result, the arquebus would eventually be introduced to Japan in the 1500s, revolutionizing samurai warfare. In the years to come, giant faceless armies would be the order of the day.
While this film was made in Japan, it received a lot of accolades outside Japan. It was unsuccessfully nominated for the Golden Globe in the Best Foreign Film category, but it did earn four awards for best art direction, cinematography, and sound. It also received numerous other international accolades, including Best Foreign Language Film from the British Academy and the Best Make-up Artist for the cast. It was also hailed by critics and has become a cult classic.
The Last Samurai (2003)
The Last Samurai is a historical drama film. This Japanese-American historical drama takes place in the late nineteenth century. Katsumoto is a samurai who has been in exile in the United States for the past thirty years. His plight and the subsequent events in the movie will evoke a variety of feelings among modern-day viewers. The movie is set during the period of the Meiji Restoration, during which the Japanese government tries to modernize and reform the country.
The plot revolves around Nathan Algren, an American who is hired to teach the Japanese army how to fight with modern weapons. After learning the traditions of the samurai, he battles to preserve them. Unfortunately, his actions result in the death of a number of his men. But his heroic deeds make him an important hero to many samurai. In addition to saving the samurai, the movie also depicts the struggles of a young American amid a tumultuous period.
The plot of the film is based on historical events and real-life events. Nobutada learns the art of swordsmanship from his father, Ujio. In the process, he earns the respect of the samurai in his village. He also learns the Japanese language and culture. He ultimately ends up being fatally wounded and is stabbed to death by Imperial troops.
The Hunted (1995)
Unlike many other martial arts movies, The Hunted does not focus on one particular character. Instead, the focus is on a central character, Lambert, who serves as an intermediary between two rival clans. Though insignificant in the eyes of either side, Lambert is indispensable to the other. The Hunted makes the most of Lambert’s starring role. The Hunted possesses a lot of samurai and ninja lore, and Lambert manages to present it in a highly practical manner.
The Hunted is a 1995 martial arts thriller directed by J.F. Lawton. Christopher Lambert stars as Paul Racine, a businessman who stumbles across a Japanese ninja cult. In the film, he witnesses the assassination of the cult leader Kinjo, a man who has been corrupted by his honor. Joan Chen plays the mysterious woman who is a member of the cult and receives third billing. She is later beheaded by the ninjas, and the film is a violent and gory thriller.
A Japanese taiko group provides the soundtrack to The Hunted. This soundtrack was recorded for the movie, which is a definite plus for fans of Japanese culture. The Hunted is a fantastic choice for anyone who enjoys samurai movies. It’s full of taiko players, which is a perfect accompaniment to the action. A great way to celebrate the Japanese culture and eat delicious Japanese food while watching a movie is to watch the Hunted.
Ninja Assassin (2009)
The Ninja Assassin is a surprisingly violent action flick that opens in November 2009. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, the film earned more than $60 million at the box office, with the majority of its revenue coming from North America. While its budget was around $40-50 million, it was one of the most expensive movies ever to be released in the United States. If you want to see some of the gruesome, unsettling scenes, you should watch Ninja Assassin.
The film’s violence is unrelenting and realistic, with improvised tattooing in the opening sequence and no holds barred limb-chopping bloodshed. It may not be suitable for squeamish audiences, but ninja fans will undoubtedly appreciate the movie’s gory approach to violence. While the movie is often comical, the story is weak and the characters are thinly populated.
The story revolves around Raizo, a ninja who has rebelled against the Ozunu Clan and seeks revenge for their heinous acts. In addition to Rain, other notables in the film include Naomie Harris, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune, and Naomie Harris.
