Top 10 Best Samurai Films Of The 21st Century

[@jonathankennedy7291]

Most underrated channel of KZbin. Always love your content and am excited each time I see an upload. Wish more people would talk about Samurai history on the platform.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Why thank you Jonathan! That means alot!

[@drjcup3228]

I was not ready for how different RK The Beginning was going to be from the other movies in the series - and I have to say I love it for that.

[@WillWilsonthesafetyguy]

Great list, well presented. Thanks for all your efforts in putting this together and as an older guy who's been stuck in classic Samurai film limbo, I'm really looking forward to watching these movies. Thank you again, you've got a new subscriber and fan of the channel!

[@bushidoblues9302]

Thank you! I appreciate that! Yes I used to think that 50s and 60s chanbara were the only good ones, but Shuhei Fujisawa adaptations changed that mindset real fast. Definitely check those out!

[@rubberduckie8187]

This was awesome. Before I even watched this, the Yoji Yamada trilogy was my favorite samurai movies, but there are some movies on your list that I haven't watched yet, so I am looking forward to it. Thank you.

[@bushidoblues9302]

I'm glad you liked it! Any Shuhei Fujisawa adaptation is worth watching.

[@wonzocroobidon5760]

Great Recommendations, will certainly be watching these! Thanks 🙂

[@hdanielmartinez7045]

Wow! This made made my evening! Great list man. The few films here I haven't seen have now moved up to top priority.

[@sean1728]

Found some new ones I hadn’t heard of before to seek out. As ever, thanks for your good work, sir. 🍻

[@fredjones554]

Excellent choice for no. 1. I totally agree. These films are so beautiful

[@journeym4n-l5s]

I believe the reason why Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning worked so well as an adaptation is because the OVA (Tsuiokuhen) it is based on is much more serious than the anime show. It is very dramatic and violent.

[@mattbliven5345]

Thanks for the reviews I'm definitely going to try to watch a few of these

[@6oingnorth]

I'm currently on a Samurai movie binge and as much as I appreciate being recommended the classics and while they are definitely fun to watch and interesting in terms of the cinematography despite the limitations of the films being black and white, I would say a lot of the ones I like the most are the modern ones. Probably because I'm more into the tear jerkers. I've already seen half of these but I'm glad I stumbled upon this video.

[@051melly_ym]

Thank you for the recommendations,i cant wait for lumberjack monster by Takashi Miike,anyway ur video is good man keep up the good work

[@akumabakemono1447]

Oh yes!!! Awesome list!!!

[@necros8715]

Great Video thank you for this. Have a lot to go through 😅. Havent seen any of them. But will seek them out.

[@hakama5045]

Wow, there is a lots modern samurai film i haven't watched i gotta catch up lol. And also thanks for the nice video 👍

[@albion65]

I also recommend the 2007 movie DORORO if you haven't seen it. It's a bonkers adaptation of the manga by Osamu Tezuka (ASTRO BOY, BLACK JACK), which btw was a major influence on the manga and film BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL. It's plot is that during the Sengoku period a samurai Warlord bargains his unborn son's body parts to 48 demons in exchange for power. Since this was a magical bargain the baby was born, minus these 48 parts, yet still alive! The warlord commanded his wife to dispose of the child but she pulled a Moses and sent it down the river in a basket. The baby was found by an alchemist and medicine man who crafted artificial body parts for the child in order for it to grow into a man! Twenty years later the young man, now named Hyakkimaru, seeks to kill the 48 demons and reclaim his true body using a magical sword that is literally inside his artifical arm! Joining Hyakkimaru in this quest in the tomboy thief and title character Dororo. She wants the magic sword Hyakkimaru has and keeps telling him she will steal it someday. The movie is like a cross between the Yokai monster films of the 60's and chambara films. Adding to this fantasy atmosphere is that it was shot in New Zealand in several of the same locations as LORD OF THE RINGS.

[@ddddd1666]

I1v seen feew of the mention,but others no,so i start with one....Sword of desperation.....what a treat,what a treat...thank you. On to the next one :)

[@Themindofreyrey]

My favorites: The Last Samurai, Twilight Samurai, 13 Assassins, the Shogun (series).

[@The_Darn_Cat]

I do love that some of the old western movies have "written by Akira Kurosawa" in the credits. [Solo]

[@bushidoblues9302]

Yeah even the clone wars has episodes thanking Kurosawa

[@The_Darn_Cat]

@@bushidoblues9302 I remember seeing that. I've been getting my collection of Kurosawa movies up, I also bought the box set of "Lone wolf and cub"... I'm just starting getting into the color movies, the music drastically changes in the 70's and 80's, makes them feel weird to watch. [Solo]

[@jonathanrobbins8543]

I can't believe Nakadaya is still alive. This is super good news to me!

[@krioni86sa]

Blade of the immortal is underrated. Better than live action Rurouni Kenshin

[@bushidoblues9302]

Yeah I liked it alot. I wish there were more movies.

[@dylangriffn]

no shot - doesn't hold a candle to any of the kenshin movies

[@taraishot100]

@@dylangriffnit’s still good don’t try say it suck bro

[@cx5870]

Agree

[@ahmedoudeh6353]

I really loved that baragaki film. It was surprisingly exquisite, especially for shinsengumi fans, who don't mind getting hammered with one Easter egg after another.

[@SwimnBird]

So glad I found this channel

[@bushidoblues9302]

Thank you!

[@BooBop1987]

Will you ever do a top 10 best Samurai Characters of all time?

[@Godzilla00X]

It's completely fascinating that so many samurai films can be translated into westerns and vice versa.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Samurai films are basically Japan's western. Both are set in the most interesting time periods for adventure.

[@despayre3914]

I must have a birthday present for my son, he will be 24.....he's very much into the Kurosawa movies/time period/Toshiro Mifune etc. So something like The return and more of these could be something.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Any of these films would be a great birthday gift for a Kurosawa fan.

[@grahammccown3239]

Good list😊

[@bushidoblues9302]

Thanks!

[@albion65]

Have you seen the AZUMI duology?

[@bushidoblues9302]

No I haven't. Is it worth seeing?

[@johnlloyddy7016]

I've seen both "Azumi" films back when they came out, to me, the first film had some promise but suffered in terms of execution. I think the director was trying too hard to stylize the cinematography and the costume design was too "cosplayish". The sequel had a crappy story IMO but the final fight scene was decent. I prefer "Zatoichi 2003" by Takeshi Kitano which came out around the same time as the "Azumi" series. It has a certain anime vibe to it mixed with old chanbara style fight scenes although some of the CGI blood are pretty obvious, but the performance by both Kitano and Tadanobu Asano more than make up for it.

[@albion65]

@@bushidoblues9302 I certainly recommend the first movie which was directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. Both are an adaptation of the manga "Azumi" written by Yu Koyama. Kitamura brought the same madcap madness he did with his previous film VERSUS to this one. You could, for better and for worse, describe it as seeing Michael Bay direct a chambara movie. The sequel AZUMI 2: DEATH AND LOVE lost Kitamura as director since he was doing GODZILLA FINAL WARS at the time. It's the lesser of the two movies even though it had Shusuke Kaneko of the GAMERA trilogy at the helm. They are worth checking out at least to see another example of the genre with a female protagonist like the LADY SNOWBLOOD films (which ironically enough was also a duology).

[@tylerdordon99]

The first film is amazing. The sequel suffered from bad direction and low budget but still worth watching.

[@tylerdordon99]

Trivia: Hideo Kojima has a brief cameo in the first Azumi film, he shows up for a brief second in the climatic showdown.

[@drakeblackk]

I have seen maybe the half of the list this week, others are just not uploaded to torrent :'(

[@aaronconnolly521]

All of them are awesome I love the 1960s samurai movies definitely my favorite is The spectacular showdown with Otomo Ryutaro very popular samurai actor of the 1960s definitely my favorite the sword fight at the end is awesome also stars Tomisaburo Wakayama have you seen that one its so good

[@Dmwntkp99]

True, the west influenced / technology / films / clothes trends to Japan. My science teacher in a discussion stated Japan was generally a huge copycat but made things to seem original by changing small things or adding elements to create something interesting that is derived by western tech. However it's not like the blatant carbon copy methods of China without suffering from litigations we have today. I think Tomisaburô Wakayama is the best in samurai dynamic action scenes.

[@stevetarrant3898]

Suprised not to see The Twilight Samurai 2002. Excellent movie. Hiroyuki Sanada is brilliant as always.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

I think it’s kind of poetic that a Japanese film remade a Clint Eastwood into samurai movie. Full circle.

[@ruff1draft]

I own the Film 13 Assassin's the newest version but I can't find it

[@RW-7949]

I'm more interested in the samurai way of life and art. Certain films are excellent and truly epic. However, it's lovely to witness how they go about their daily lives. It's also lovely to see how the samurai use the art of sword fighting. It's a martial art that has a lot of deep meaning. It’s like an art. Akin to Kung Fu.

[@shinobix2979]

Your reviews are awesome ... but I can't shake the idea that you sound just like Ray Liota in Goodfellas.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Haha! I'll take that as a compliment!

[@shinobix2979]

@@bushidoblues9302 You should lol. The movie and character are classics.

[@TioPedro2]

Just watched the unforgiven, i dont understand about japonese culture, but why he did not return to the kids?

[@bushidoblues9302]

Cultural thing.

[@ddddd1666]

Next step was Unforgiven fallow by Uzumasa Limelight .........woww

[@warpathh]

What was the name of the 3rd film?

[@bushidoblues9302]

Rurouni Kenshin The beginning

[@warpathh]

@@bushidoblues9302 sorry I meant the 3rd film in the top trilogy set!

[@bushidoblues9302]

@@warpathh love and Honor

[@getpaidaj88]

Where can I watch these films ?

[@tylerdordon99]

Have u seen Takeshi Kitano's Zatoichi reimagination? It also stars Tadabonu Asano.

[@mbiraside]

I watched "after ther rain" , excellent. I have the Yamada trilogy, excellent choice for #1. . I wish there where more like these.

[@sn0wyc0sm0]

Maybe a different list focusing on movies with an Edo period setting, might just be me but most of these movies take place after or very closely to the Meiji Restoration.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Yes that's because of most of these are Shuhei Fujisawa adaptations

[@mayantigo657]

thanks 🙂

[@bushidoblues9302]

Enjoy!

[@raffaeleandreini776]

È ancora Come si tempi Del cartone animato Rocky Joe Finale???

[@raffaeleandreini776]

Baby Metal Megitsune

[@asianfilmfan1]

Blade of the immortal anime is closer to the manga. All 3 are entertaining, The last samurai would’ve been awesome if Russell Crowe would have starred in it.

[@bushidoblues9302]

That would have been interesting

[@Keeazul]

Among them, Baragaki (燃えよ剣, 2021) is very Japanese, even to the extent that most Japanese today had forgotten and cannot fully understand the intention of the film under those epic Shinsengumi killings and Bakumatsu (the end of Edo era) chaotic battle storyline.

[@behzadshambayati6912]

You missed the movie called After The Rain

[@bushidoblues9302]

@@behzadshambayati6912 I have it in my top underrated samurai list. I really like that film.

[@the_evolution_of_me]

The Swordsman is another good one

[@bushidoblues9302]

I haven't heard of the swordsman. I'll have to look into it.

[@the_evolution_of_me]

@@bushidoblues9302 A swordsman who is going blind is forced to raise his sword again to save his daughter, who has been kidnapped by a slave dealer.

[@the_evolution_of_me]

@@bushidoblues9302 im currently watching Unforgiven after your top 10 films and after a list that appeared on my google feed 🤙

[@mikegreen5502]

What about shogun assassin ???

[@bushidoblues9302]

21st century only

[@mikegreen5502]

@@bushidoblues9302 oh my bad lol

[@tylerdordon99]

God of War is also worth watching even though it's Hong Kong/Chinese movie. Yasuaki Kurata plays the general of the Japanese army and despite him being in his 70s he has a great one vs one with Vincent Zhao.

[@tylerdordon99]

Have u seen Mumon: The Land of Stealth? It's an action/comedy but still very good and has some good fight scenes.

[@donjames7647]

The legend of maula jatt is a masterpiece , it’s a pakistan western movie , like a samurai movie . It’s a must watch , most recommended for all the samurai fans

[@bushidoblues9302]

I never saw a Pakistan film so this should be interesting.

[@donjames7647]

It’s a pakistan samurai movie

[@spozz6633]

Don't let Hollywood film directors and producers take over or get involved in the making of samurai films. The originality of the samurai art will be lost and damaged by raising actors only from the west as the hero of a film. All greatness is only from the west. for example, if a film based on the historical facts of the 16th or 19th century involves westerners, let the Japanese director who knows the history of his country and choose actors to play important roles and foreigners only as assistants even if they are famous. There are already samurai films featuring western actors as the main characters and it should be stopped. Samurai and Bushido are only for Japanese people.

[@xxhatchetwarrior13xx]

Glad i clicked on this video was starting to lose hope trying to find when the last sword is drawn I seen it 2014 on Netflix I remember the cover just couldn’t think of the name

[@BittermanAndy]

I just checked what Tatsuya Nakadai was in... unreal. Best filmography in cinema history?

[@asliboss6449]

I alway thought sinsen gumi are really dangerous untill i watch gintama

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

I HAVE THE ONE WITH TOM CRUISE IN IT ON DVD

[@OvidiuDimbeanu-hy1xz]

Azumi 1, 2 ?

[@joewas2225]

This is the 1st list on Samurai I've seen that doesn't have an Akira movie on the list.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Yeah I feel like his movies overshadow the other great ones

[@yoranadam6574]

The Twilight samurai...

[@OldManPaxusYT]

THANK YOU! I have always meant to find out what the top 10 are and don't have the patience to search-search! ↑ Comment for your algorithm + *👍 'd* + _previously _*_Sub'd!_* #OldManPaxus Rating: ★★★★★

[@Hank-q8u]

13 assassins was great

[@tylerdordon99]

If you read manga check out Ichigeki. It is simply superb.

[@katakauchi]

2 years later In no order Itosato ( 2018 ) The Floating Castle ( 2014 ) Hotel Toyotomi ( 2016 ) The Samurai I Loved ( 2016 ) Sekigahara ( 2017 ) When The last Sword Is Drawn ( 2002 ) The Haunted Samurai ( 2008 ) At The Rivers Edge Yamazakura After The Flowers

[@bushidoblues9302]

@@katakauchi great list, I have to watch some of these!

[@katakauchi]

@ Merlin has them all

[@bushidoblues9302]

@@katakauchi awesome!

[@Kamabushi999]

no way that last samurai is in top 10 no way

[@raffaeleandreini776]

Bushido?

[@raffaeleandreini776]

Quali sono le regole????

[@raffaeleandreini776]

E per chi non le rispetta

[@raffaeleandreini776]

Alcuni di loro dicono di no Ma mi sembra che anche A Roma Fosse uguale Romolo e Remo

[@raffaeleandreini776]

Solo qualche Annetto Prima

[@sugibear123]

I'm more of a fan of the Akira Kurosawa era Samurai films

[@Otopi2okkk]

The last samurai is the best

[@StormFalcon61]

Sorry mate but putting 13 Assasins at 5th, now thats a crime. İt should be at no 1

[@bushidoblues9302]

Haha one day it might be my favorite. Would you call it Miike's best film?

[@StormFalcon61]

@@bushidoblues9302 absolutely his best film mate and probably one of the best Samurai films ever made.

[@bushidoblues9302]

@@StormFalcon61 Harakiri is also done really well by him, but I agree, 13 assassins is his masterpiece

[@gracenguyen6612]

I was thinking the same, and Harakiri isn’t in this list is another crime. And The last ronin is good too. Too many modern pieces in this list, I don’t even treat them as serious samurai movies.

[@caturwibowo6278]

Tatara samurai give us lecture about katana yo gaes...

[@thimble288]

Why can't I find a decent blu-ray of Twilight Samurai? The one I have looks like butt

[@bushidoblues9302]

@thimble288 lol, yeah, it criminally needs a proper transfer.

[@thimble288]

@@bushidoblues9302 if the trilogy comes out in a 4K box set I'm just going to pay for it without looking at the total on payday

[@bushidoblues9302]

@thimble288 Oh, I'd pay top dollar for that!

[@thimble288]

@@bushidoblues9302 I guess I should be glad it's available at all I still need Love and Honor. I wasn't blown away by the video quality on the Hidden Blade DVD, but at least it fared better than the Twilight Samurai!

[@szederkenyimarcell7056]

Gohatto!

[@air1das]

Hey, do you know of cool ninja movies? Not modern times, but historical

[@bushidoblues9302]

I'm severely lacking in ninja movie knowledge, unfortunately. I hope to change that soon.

[@tomwilson5815]

Owl's Castle

[@xmuraix77]

Azumi 1 and 2 just saying this samurai movies because it not very well known. Also not as good on this list but still a decent samurai movies.

[@soyaingamkasar375]

watch the swordman you wont regreat it

[@miguelfernandes5628]

Great list, except "The Last Samurai" shouldn't even be on the honorable mention.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Your right, it should be number 1 lol

[@miguelfernandes5628]

@@bushidoblues9302 yup. number 1 in the 'movies to waste your time'

[@Kurt20051YT]

Personally I thought The Last Samurai was a great movie, even if it's "too hollywood" for some people.

[@ryanhouk3560]

Not for nothing, but just in your intro there, Samurai films inspired westerns, not the other way around.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Yes, but samurai films from Akira kurosawa were inspired by older westerns. So they both were inspired by each other.

[@ryanhouk3560]

@@bushidoblues9302 ah yes I understand yes. Kill bill is a solid example of a film that balances it quite well. Hell or highwater, probably my favorite film ever, is a western set in 2016, yet it ends with a samurai challenge.

[@bushidoblues9302]

@ryanhouk3560 I really enjoyed Hell or High Water, too. That was a great standoff.

[@amonddzaw]

Last Samurai, Blade of the Immortal and Kenshin? C'mon, man, are you a kid?🤦‍♂️

[@juliobro1]

Blade of the Immortal movie I didn't like as much as the anime.

[@ConTrollerNorth2]

Thanks

[@taraishot100]

Where can I watch these I can’t find most of them

[@bushidoblues9302]

Amazon or samuraidvd.com has them. Maybe you can also stream it on Tubi or criterion.

[@taraishot100]

Blade of the immortal anime is good

[@leokovacic707]

Last samurai not No1 lolol