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Sword of the Stranger

Original title: Sutorenjia: Mukô hadan
  • 2007
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
19K
YOUR RATING
Sword of the Stranger (2007)
A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.
Play trailer1:42
1 Video
99 Photos
AnimeHand-Drawn AnimationActionAdventureAnimation

A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.

  • Director
    • Masahiro Andô
  • Writers
    • Masahiro Andô
    • Fumihiko Takayama
  • Stars
    • Tomoya Nagase
    • Yuri Chinen
    • Kôichi Yamadera
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Masahiro Andô
    • Writers
      • Masahiro Andô
      • Fumihiko Takayama
    • Stars
      • Tomoya Nagase
      • Yuri Chinen
      • Kôichi Yamadera
    • 62User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:42
    Trailer

    Photos99

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Tomoya Nagase
    Tomoya Nagase
    • Nanashi (No Name)
    • (voice)
    Yuri Chinen
    • Kotaro
    • (voice)
    Kôichi Yamadera
    Kôichi Yamadera
    • Rarou
    • (voice)
    Akio Ôtsuka
    Akio Ôtsuka
    • Shogen Itadori
    • (voice)
    Unshô Ishizuka
    Unshô Ishizuka
    • Lord Akaike
    • (voice)
    Mamoru Miyano
    Mamoru Miyano
    • Jyuurouta Inui
    • (voice)
    Maaya Sakamoto
    Maaya Sakamoto
    • Hagihime
    • (voice)
    Jun Hazumi
    • Zekkai
    • (voice)
    Tomoyuki Shimura
    • Isogai
    • (voice)
    Takurô Kitagawa
    • Fuchinobe
    • (voice)
    Atsushi Ii
    • Byakuran (Bai-Luan)
    • (voice)
    Hirofumi Nojima
    • Feng-Wu
    • (voice)
    Masaki Aizawa
    • Yue-Shen
    • (voice)
    Fumie Mizusawa
    • Mu-Mao
    • (voice)
    Junko Minagawa
    • Mu-You
    • (voice)
    Kôhei Fukuhara
    • Suishin
    • (voice)
    Katsuhisa Hôki
    Katsuhisa Hôki
    • Huo-Chou
    • (voice)
    Chô
    • Gohei
    • (voice)
    • (as Cho)
    • Director
      • Masahiro Andô
    • Writers
      • Masahiro Andô
      • Fumihiko Takayama
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews62

    7.719.2K
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    Featured reviews

    9juggiman

    A must SEE!!!!

    One of the Best samurai animation action flicks I have seen in a very long time. The story isn't drawn out into a long story about nothing. You get a good sense of the main character without them going into a long epilogue. The characters are well drawn with great attention to detail especially in the action sequences which in my opinion are drawn very well. The score goes perfectly with all the different scenes of the movie. I am pretty good on what good anime samurai flicks are out and I am surprised that I never got a heads up about this one and also why this film wasn't nominated for any type of award. Honestly from the action to the music this movie will grab you. :)
    10Fbh91

    Cliché concept, yet a Must see animated movie

    The concept in Sword of the Stranger isn't new. A wandering samurai who killed a lot of people during the war is tormented by his past and has "Sealed" his sword and decided not to use it anymore. Without having to look far you can already find earlier animes/mangas with the exact same concept (Rurouni Kenshin is the first that comes to mind).

    Still I really loved this movie and consider it a must watch, specially for people that like animated movies. The animation one of the best I've seen in recent animated movies, with great design, fluid animations and great image quality. While not many in number, the battles are masterfully handled by BONES (animation studio) with great (animated) choreography.

    As I've said the concept behind the story isn't new but it's enjoyable nonetheless, I really liked the trust relationship that forms between the main character and the boy he is escorting and there is also a special connection between Nanashi and the main antagonist. In the end you will be caring for the characters.

    Finally, and it should not be overlooked. The Soundtrack for this movie is truly wonderful. Composed by Naoki Sato, it's an amazing OST filled with emotion and fits the movie like ring.
    8enkid2

    Movies like this should be seen by every kid in the world

    I watched this movie last night with my dad and we both loved it. I'm 27 and he happens to be in his 50's. I expect everyone younger, older and in between will love it as well.

    I'm sure you can imagine what an anime title like "The Sword of the Stranger" might hold in store for you. A young boy named Kotaru and his faithful companion Tobimaru. A deadly swordsman with blue eyes. A hungry samurai with a troubled past. The Sword of the Stranger doesn't re-invent the wheel but it is more than the sum of it's parts.

    All in all: If you enjoy anime watch it. You can also expect to hear a great score.
    9mmushrm

    Anime Chambara Movie

    For those of you familiar with Chambara (samurai) movies, Sword of the Stranger, is the anime equivalent. Story line is typical Samurai storyline, wandering samurai helps out a kid and gets caught up in a plot by foreigners and "bad" samurai. without giving the plot line away I will say that if you are familiar with chambara movies and enjoy the stories/genre you will enjoy this movie. Technically wise, this movie is very well animated. Traditional hand drawn cel work mixed with some CG. It is beautiful to look at and the fighting scenes are amongst the best I have seen in anime or in real life action. A beautifully crafted movie that needs to be seen just on the technical aspects alone.
    10Dreamyy

    A great animated movie (not for kids)

    I really enjoyed this movie a lot. I have not seen such a good animated one in years and I'm still wondering how people can rate it 1 or 2.. I mean, the taste in movies is always different, but even if you didn't like it that much it is not possible to give it such a low score. In my opinion it is flawless in its way and even though I do remember that there was a movie (not animated) which felt almost the same, because in it there was also a samurai walking around with a child, it still felt fresh and cool and not old fashioned at all. Oh well, just give it a shot and you will most likely have a good time watching it.

    I would have given it a 9, but I'm trying to fix the impossible votes a bit, even though.. it may even deserve a 10 for what it is.

    Cheers

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Submitted for consideration as a potential nominee for Best Animated Feature to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It failed to be selected.
    • Quotes

      Luo-Lang: Use this, pain go away.

      Nanashi: I don't need it. I feel like having the pain is what makes you feel alive.

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Anime Movies (Redux) (2017)

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 5, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Kiếm Khách Quái Dị
    • Production company
      • Bones
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $258,490
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 43m(103 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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