The Moment Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Career Ended

Highlander The Search For Vengeance, officially the last movie of Yoshiaki Kawajiri for a myriad reasons, lets look into the end of an era
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[@Stevem]

SOURCES kzbin.info/aero/PLyhSewr7iiMRliPUR6qKRYED0WV7QsMIo legacy.aintitcool.com/node/32882 web.archive.org/web/20160911052300/www.imagi.com.hk/eng/our-films/highlander_02.html www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5552 kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5XJh5ifqbWKg80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYezi5WJoKt4r6M www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2015-10-30/the-resurrection-of-vampire-hunter-d-part-i-hideyuki-kikuchi/.94794 www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/sakura-con/4 www.matrixfans.net/the-animatrix/world-record/interview-with-writer-yoshiaki-kawajiri/ Vhd kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX23g5yoqs1moNk Ns kzbin.info/www/bejne/o528kGadebx6o80 www.empireonline.com/movies/features/highlander/ AnimeWorldOrder-2018-10-13-167 - discussion with Kawajiri and TV show staff is mentioned

[@igodreamer7096]

Thanks!

[@Kenshiro3rd]

Kawajiri didn’t end his career with this movie, so much as he dropped the mic with it. Look at this way. Highlander: The Search for Vengeance wasn’t just his last film as director, it was also the ONLY Highlander sequel film to live up to the original.

[@astartesiri8184]

The visual style of Kawajiri is so unique and iconic.

[@Stevem]

it is pretty iconic shoutouts to his character designer and animation director too

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Also, Yoshiaki Kawajiri also designed characters for the New Adventures Of Kimba The White Lion, a bubble economy reboot of both the 1965 and 1966 series.

[@JohnnyBurnes]

Indeed. Mullets. 🤘

[@Esirre]

his character design for male characters I describe as "they're so handsome they're ugly" (if you get it you get it lol) but yeah I can always recognize his style. The first film I watched by him was Ninja Scroll, an absolute classic, what pains me the most is all the grapey bits.

[@theultimateartist4153]

@@EsirreI get what your saying, they have a very masculine charming look that is some what hard and un-pretty very difficult to put into words

[@Dr_Salt]

Man this is quite sad. Kawajiri is a legend in the industry, I really wish he kept on directing. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a godamn masterpiece.

[@Stevem]

truuuu

[@s.p.tucker1604]

Um... I'm seeing a pretty immediate problem here, and it's that Kawajiri's doing totally fine? If you go look at ANN, he still works on all kinds of things, and has done storyboards for Onepunch Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, No Guns Life, and a whole ton of other recent stuff. He doesn't *direct* anymore, but it's not like he's gone and out of the industry.

[@ikarsoontiens959]

The truth doesn't generate clickbait titles.

[@thedanielstraight]

The 80's must've been so cool... only then could James Bond have trained Raiden to take the head off Mr. Krabs.

[@Stevem]

wild to think he is mr krabs

[@el-kiote]

Why was i thinking of raiden from mgs2?

[@animeloverryan85]

Clancy Brown?

[@Jubb-eo5vk]

Sorry you didn't like this film more. In the first writer's meeting with David Abramowitz, Kevin Eastman and myself, we quickly decided on a post-apocalyptic scenario precisely because it would play well with Kawajiri's strengths. We also settled quickly on the "vengeance" storyline. The idea David proposed for the hero/villain dynamic was closer to the first film with a "good" hero, evil barbarian, Kurgan-like villain. It was my idea to switch that concept out and make the "hero", the obsessed barbarian and the villain, the "cultured", edjucated, man of the world. And I think that works, along with Collin's 2,000 year obsession. It makes him a truly tragic figure and give Marcus more depth.

[@Garet6Shadow]

Thank you for your work, i really like it!

[@Jubb-eo5vk]

@@Garet6Shadow Thanks.

[@rodolfogarciafuentealba8590]

I love this movie. I was just hoping you guys would do a Highlander series, because I wanted to see more of this.

[@Jubb-eo5vk]

@@rodolfogarciafuentealba8590 Thanks! I am part of a small team that's been trying to get a Highlander animated series in the same style/approach of the animation as Arcane, but we're stonewalled until the revamped new feature gets into full production.

[@kevinevhenaff666]

I watch it with my 10 years old daughter. She like it a lot, just not the over-sexualized two women... I tell her it's normal honey, they are hookers you know ?😅 Very good job guys

[@codeninja100]

Kawajiri is so underrated after creating BloodLust he should have a new project coming out every other year

[@Stevem]

well its his choice at this point

[@RIJIT]

@@amazed2341 what if I told you it may be being worked on now?!👀

[@RIJIT]

@@amazed2341 1 of the people who is working on riding bean 2/bean bandit as a producer is working on Ninja scroll 2. I dont have alot of info but they are in the process for trying to get it funded.

[@juzadellenuvole7323]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ronin9288]

It makes me sad that Kawajiri hasnt given us anything recently. I honestly love that he's the craftsmen of pulp.

[@LaddRusso91]

This was the only Highlander movie I ever seen and I remember loving it as a teen. It's not a masterpiece but so much fun.

[@Stevem]

can't say i had fun, but for check out the original

[@ricardodemarco3486]

The original movie gave me the same feeling, and having watched that one before this animation made me like it both more.

[@deezee2965]

In the late 90's I was associating "Japanese Animated Movies" more easily to Yoshiaki Kawajiri than Miyazaki... It was raw, brutal and went straight to the point.

[@spiderjerusalem100]

Ninja scroll and Wicked city are 2 of my favourite anime movies of all time so i liked this one too. It's not as good as those but the animation is stellar in my opinion and i'm a sucker for gore and melodrama in my anime.

[@arczero1623]

Wicked City didn't age as well imo, but Ninja Scoll and Bloodlust are two of my absolute favorites. Ninja Scroll scarred my fucking childhood and Bloodlust defined my teen years, the western/gothic aesthetic and how I approach writing character arcs in dnd.

[@JohnnyBurnes]

Demon City Shinjuku's not mentioned in the comments enough... Y'all should watch it. That is all.

[@alexdoe6338]

YK was, is , and will always be a GOAT anime director. Too bad the VHD CGI series never came to fruition, nor the Ninja Scroll 2 anime

[@blaquemann9398]

Its a solid film if you're invested in the Highlander lore.

[@Stevem]

i like highlander lore and i fucking hate how this film uses it , getting electrocuted on holy ground for holding a weapons feels like such a betrayal

[@HellRider_]

@@Stevem Is it? Gives a handy reason for why all Immortals, even the clearly immoral ones like the Kurgan, enforce the "holy ground" rule.

[@ArkhanNightman]

I think it adds a bit of mysticism to what is a story about magic.

[@whoisyouranime]

While you are entitled to your opinion, I will admit that this was one of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's weakest films, but I don't think it's terrible. Plus, I think there's a lot of interesting experimentation they did with this film than they did with the other terrible sequels. They even took some ideas from previous films and played around with it. Let me list a few things about the films I did enjoy and some disagreements I have with your video. 1. When an immortal fights on Holy Ground, they get electrocuted. You don't like it but I do. I've been wondering for years what would happen if the immortals did fight on Holy Ground and what would happen. 2. What does the buzz look like from the immortals perspective. Love that. 3. How the immortal connect with the life around them, like with the stag in Highlander 1, the eel in Highlander 2 and how in this film, Colin can connect with the spirit Amargan. It's kinda similar to Conner MacLeod communicates with Ramirez spiritually. 4. Taking place in the distant future. Yeah, I know certain fans hate this concept but somehow, Kawajiri made it work. It's not the first time he worked with this kind of story. He played with futuristic stories like Cyber City Oedo 808 and Goku Midnight Eye. 5. You don't seem to like the character of Colin. The thing is I think the writer took the original Highlander movie and went with a "Flip The Premise" concept with the characters by making the hero into the villain and vice versa. In a way, Colin is like the good guy version of the Kurgan, a barbarian whose only goal is to kill the villain, while Marcus, a man of sophistication (like Conner MacLeod) awaits for the hero to come is the bad guy version of Conner MacLeod. 6. I also like that the prize is never mentioned in this film. I always thought it was stupid since the beginning of Highlander, I would have been happy if the immortal just fought because they want to kill each other for their quickening powers. 7. The high-tech dystopian future of Highlander 2, the talking chopped off head from Highlander 3, the evil gang stereotypes and the mutants of Highlander 4 and 5, sure all of this would never work in the live action films but Kawajiri somehow made it work. 8. Moya and her reincarnations like Debra and Dahlia (There was one more in the director's cut) was interesting to me. It actually makes me wonder if the love interest of the main heroes of the live action highlander films were reincarnations of their previous love interest, like Brenda could be the reincarnation of Conner's wife Heather and maybe how it connects to the immortals sensing life and souls of their friends and loved one in other living beings. 9. You complained about the ending and say it ends with nothing at all. Kawajiri to me has always had a "cowboy" ending feel at the end of his films, where the lone hero rides off into the sunset alone like VHD Bloodlust, the hero will end with the woman he loves by his side like Demon City Shinjuku. And in this one, it ends with our hero with his loved one dead and walking away, just like Ninja Scroll, Goku Midnight Eye, Cyber City Oedo 808 and this film. It's his thing, dude. 10. In defense for his theatrical cut, it's mostly for pacing. The theatrical cut feels faster and that was their purpose that you were complaining about earlier. If you watched the director's cut, it feels slower. Not to mentioned that the man who played Marcus and Amargan in the director's cut sounded boring. Maybe that's why their actors had to re-dubbed again to make the characters sound better. Although, Yoshiaki Kawajiri had every right to be mad at the changes. So I don't hate your video your ending but I just don't entirely agree with your views on this anime. You did a good job. I will give you that. Keep up the good work and I hope to see more.

[@retali8one]

Kawajiri the goat... bring him back, the world needs him

[@Jackisboy]

Hearing anime characters with Scottish accents terrified me more then it should have.

[@HaydenTheHistorian]

urban the myth

[@Stevem]

Lol they're Americans pretending to be Scottish people as well

[@u1voiceartist]

@@Stevem It's a living.

[@bizarreutahraptor]

@@Stevem Well it kind of makes sense Both American and Scottish people have undetectable levels of freedom

[@PrincessNine]

@@Stevem they weren't American. None of the voice actors were

[@Taverens_Pull]

K I don't know what what movie you were watching but to me this was a love letter to the highlander series. They hit the major homage points and even some of the not so major homage points. The quickening, having the main story flow in tandum with the flashback so you know everything by the climax, no fighting on holy ground, "There can be only one!", the queenesque guitar solo at the beginning of the movie, Scott McNeil playing the part of a McCloud, hell even the post-apocalypse is a reference to highlander 2. To me this is The Best Highlander sequel hands down.

[@locdogg86]

I agree, this was really not picky

[@alanmcmillian]

One of the weirder aspects of the franchise is that, in every iteration, the main characters ends up in a dystopian collapse of civilization. Highlander II(all the versions), The Source, the American Cartoon, and this are all versions of this idea. But for whatever reason, none of the versions are cohesive. Probably due to the randomness of whoever was making the creative decisions.

[@BradLad56]

If nothing else at least it's faithful to the Highlander mythology. It's even got the holy ground rule in there.

[@adeadpoet4221]

Watched this movie over 4 times by now...i loved it.

[@usergiodmsilva1983PT]

I don't get the hate the series get. They actually have pretty enjoyable moments

[@shinra05]

I know it will never happen but i wish some day we got old madhouse back also Masao Maruyama the other creator of madhouse was gonna work on satoshi kon's new film but we all know how that ended

[@Stevem]

well ive done a video on situation it sounds like something is still happening but he doesnt want to finish the original version but rather make a spiritual successor , maruyama didnt want to work at a big company so hes dropped two studios in the process

[@trashcanonabench7199]

Didnt know this movie even existed, neat!

[@ArkhanNightman]

It's the best Highlander sequel movie made.

[@neddles33]

I cannot believe I have been confronted with that highlander anime after all these years. The only part of it I genuinely loved was the youtube video of that escalator scream, other than that I'm fully with the villain that he totally wasted immortality.

[@neddles33]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHbJmXR8dpesfKc

[@HellRider_]

I liked this movie, but I do agree with the gist of what you're saying. Coming off of Bloodlust I can see why a lot of Kawajiri fans would be disappointed after a 6-to-7 year long wait. It's a serviceable movie, and while I'd reccomend it to people who want an enjoyable action movie or someone who wants to get into anime, I wouldn't neccesarrily recommend it to someone wanting to get into Kawajiri's work, if that makes sense.

[@serenabissanti7015]

Wasn’t a perfect film. I’d still like to give it a 7/10. Yeah the characters could use a little more work. But I still think the film holds up. The original went deeper into the living alone forever concept. While this one to me is more the opposing mindset of two characters. I think what this movie lacks in characters depth it, it makes up for it in reoccurring themes. Lots of homage to the original

[@coleburns5497]

Kawajiri is great at fight scenes, I wish he’d direct the fight scene for demon slayer.

[@YeshuaHaMaschiah]

PLEASE GET your facts straight. the title is clickbaity. Kawajiri's career has not...repeat has NOT ended. He recently did storyboard work on ATTACK ON TITAN, ONE PUNCH MAN, DEMON SLAYER and a little unknown DC hero named BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT. His art is in high demand and He does a huge amount of storyboard work and has hung up the director's cap...for now (But his work is far from over). Ninja Scroll 2 anyone? :)

[@blaquemann9398]

I need Ninja Scroll 2. The first was perfection.

[@kernsanders3973]

Sad thing is he has been fighting to get Ninja Scroll 2 made for decades now... As STEVEM says, he isn't getting any younger so it's a damn shame no company is supporting it. At least we got the Ninja Scroll series, wasn't Ninja Scroll 2 like Yoshiaki wanted but at least we got to see Jubei one more time. The world is certainly getting a great de service by not letting this genius animator/story teller make another passion project before he retires.

[@Stevem]

ninja scroll was not a big hit in JP so they struggle to find JP investors they need international producers really

[@v-trigger6137]

I think he should try to get in touch with Netflix or Amazon, they will happily willing to give him money. since they want anime content in their platform (especially Netflix)

[@v-trigger6137]

there was a live action movie was in development under Warner Bros as well. if that movie would've passed the production, then in the hype, the investors might really would consider investing on the anime movie

[@Stevem]

@@v-trigger6137 The Netlfix bubble is over if they wanted it they would have picked it up 5 years ago

[@poloshirtsamurai]

2 seconds in and you're already wrong. Please learn the meaning of camp. Thanks for saving me time.

[@Ditchdigger2005]

As a fan of the original Highlander I quite liked it. Certainly better than Highlander 2!

[@Stevem]

not saying much from what ive heard

[@versevica]

I think Kawajiri did his part well, the animation itself, art direction and character design was fine. It was the writing that I found let this production down which was not Yoshiakis roll so I can only judge him for what his contribution was being the visuals which to his credit held up but for the writing we need to attribute to David Abrimowitz the writer and the score and script was handled by Imagi to he fair.

[@Nikujaga4649]

You know what? I've been waiting for the full release of Ninja Scroll Burst for 15 years...

[@toryanderson8987]

To bad I loved all of his work including Highlander!!

[@Ninzumecha]

Love that you’re doing a Kawajiri video. Love him and I found out I share my birthday with him 😊

[@Stevem]

oh nice , ive covered all his mainline movie now well one left which will be out next week

[@Ninzumecha]

STEVEM I think he’s always been a bit of an underrated guy, despite Ninja Scroll being popular. I love Cyber City the most I think

[@Stevem]

@@Ninzumecha he's pretty big in western markets although maybe not as much in his homeland

[@v-trigger6137]

he was also developing a anime series on Vampire Hunter D, wonder what happened to it. It's been almost 5 years now, and they haven't given a single update

[@Stevem]

@@v-trigger6137 Did you watch the video dude? I literally mention what's going on with it towards the end

[@sangkang6294]

I enjoyed this film but what Kawajiri should have done was a sequel to Ninja Scroll.

[@Artesian_mirage]

Unfortunately it struggled with lack of investment and stayed in limbo. I doubt it will ever see the light of day

[@gunswordfist]

Aw, so he did Highlander? The art styles of his films are so consistent! I love The Search For Vengeance so much! Imdb fans were hype for its released! On top of that, Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust was my 2nd favorite anime movie. I still haven't seen Ninja Scroll but its art style is also different!

[@gunswordfist]

The same, not different. Mega mistake

[@marlesus6272]

This is amazing anime and my favourite and this anime is the reason why i started learning guitar because of the electric guitar solo played in the beginning with the introduction of the city. This solo is still my favourite of all time. And once i will be able to play that. I will feel like i fulfilled my guitar dream

[@HellRider_]

What hurts about the soundtrack is that the movie used a HiM as it's closing theme. Maybe they could've asked HiM to use more of their music throughout the film itself?

[@ECLECTOb]

Love this channel man. Excellent.

[@20th_century_Ghost]

I still remember buying Highlander: The Search For Vengeance at FYE when it was first released on DVD. I haven't seen it in over 10 years, at least.

[@Rogerio_FM]

I greatly enjoyed this movie, does it handle a candle to the original? No, but it's a fun animation. But I think the biggest flaw it has, is being too derivative which in turn made it unnecessary.

[@shookstylez]

I kinda liked that campy 90s serie from Highlander. But maybe thats just nostalgia

[@Stevem]

could still be good its usually the movies people dont like EDIT I saw a couple eps its really endearing albeit ultra campy and the writing isnt all there but there's a charm

[@Stevem]

ITS ON KZbin the first ep at least

[@MyChocow]

Ninja scroll was the his best work !

[@xeraph02]

Whatever, the animation is solid and beautiful.

[@Stevem]

check out all of kawajiris other work if you like this

[@JohnnyBurnes]

I forgot "MERYL!" was in this.

[@Artesian_mirage]

That VO artist has a great voice, natural emotion and character

[@RicardoDirani]

He's doing a lot of storyboard since Highlander according to Wikipedia, his latest was for Frieren.

[@Kenshiro3rd]

Fun Fact: Colin MacLeod was basically the founder of the Clan MacLeod. The entire clan was born from the survivors of the of his rebel band… that Marcus decimated. So despite not formally joining the clan until later, he was effectively its founder. Thus he was also its first immortal. This is ALSO likely why those ten minutes were cut. Basically everything that was removed dealt with Colin’s origin & back story.

[@xyanide1986]

**WHHOOOAAAOOOOAAA intensifies**

[@Leynx-Et-Fenrir]

Highlander The Search For Vengeance or how to do a Highlander 1.2 with some style... Even the antagonist is stylish!

[@wlidbill5261]

What man this was awesome i thought it was a great story

[@spiraleddays1870]

I for one loved the movie

[@ronaldgood3545]

"It's a "DAMMED" shame (STEVEM), that you couldn't understand the depth of what the creators of this (anima classic) & what it was expressing...AT LEAST TO A DIE-HARD FAN...(Who "ACTUALLY" grew-up in the 80s and saw it's premier opening in the theaters in 1986...😮‍💨....what a shame."

[@shookstylez]

I love rome .... great.

[@lepmuhangpa]

Watching Barbarians would be better.

[@sarkasmdaimyo2572]

I've got this but to Me the Highlander was always Conner not Collin nor Duncan.

[@harrisonlee9585]

I need a social psychology study on how Highlander, a campy cult classic from the mid 80s, is still such a big part of pop culture.

[@Stevem]

Go for it, be the change you want to see!

[@Stevem]

i found this might be a starting point books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QnKf1FfqpqkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA101&dq=Highlander+movie&ots=7d_n1Gzi_w&sig=BN8u0KBdcq3UWVisZ7EApCaDXyE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Highlander%20movie&f=false

[@harrisonlee9585]

@@Stevem My biggest guest, honestly, is memorable to the point of meme Sean Connery being a Spanish-Egyptian with a Scottish accent.

[@illustriouschin]

RIP Kawajiri. His work was iconic, we deserved more.

[@Stevem]

he's not dead!

[@TheHeavyModd]

lol

[@Horrorfreak106]

This comment gave me a heart attack for a second lol

[@v-trigger6137]

you mean RIP his career Lol. he is still alive, it's just his career gone south.. it's really makes me sad seeing how his career ended, the guy's works were influential, a gifted legendary director like him deserves all the money and fame in the world. wish he could make a comeback, with a blast anime movie like Ninja Scroll

[@askyourmama5862]

@@v-trigger6137 His Career is not completely dead though. He recently storyboarded in many famous animes notably One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1 and even a currently running anime called Jujutsu Kaisen

[@rischio7678]

This anime movie is great...I love it...I enjoyed it totally. Please where can I find the soundtracks of this movie

[@noughiphiet]

I wish he would come back and direct an anime movie based on The Crow.

[@peccantis]

Character art looks like Fukumoto Nobuyuki's style watered down with Kuroko no Basuke and every 'How to draw manga and anime' book in existence.

[@theozillanuke8281]

The virus wasn't meant to kill his own people. It was made to kill everyone outside of his city. You know wipe the slate clean so there is only his interpretation of history and civilization (very Roman thing to do). Also considering all the Highlander movies and TV shows that came out after the original with only one show using a Queen song that connection is a bit weaker than you seem to think it is.

[@Zavyyn]

My favorite part of the Highlander anime is not original, but since there will never be Rifts in media outside of TTRPGs, seeing a Coalition rip-off brings me joy instead of consternation.

[@luissalas177]

I am still waiting for Ninja Scroll 2...actually I just want him to make another anime movie. Preferably 2d

[@Stevem]

i know he wants to make ninja scroll 2 but it doesn't look like the investors do

[@PhilthCollinz]

Ninja scroll set the bar high af

[@user-rc3cm1zv4j]

For me, Kawajiri's style peaked with Vampire hunter D. This on the other hand looks like a significant downgrade by comparison

[@Stevem]

Bloodlust is my favourite Kawajiri movie for sure, the downgrade is likely both a time and resources thing. Bloodlust more animators , resources and a 3 year development time. Highlander Not only was animated quickly with tech Kawajiri had not used in the same way before, it was a back and forth overseas project

[@user-rc3cm1zv4j]

@@Stevem makes sense and I really feel sad for Kawajiri

[@eblgraphics]

Do you mean this is when Yoshiaki Kawajiri career peaked? Highlander's The Search For Vengeance is the only movie that works apart from Highlander One.

[@x-menwelcometodie624]

What FUCKING EVER love this movie It truly is the most underrated Highlander in the series Will never get how anyone in their right mind could say that this epic beauty of an Animated Highlander film could be the end of anyone's career Specially of someone as illustrious and badass such kawajiri

[@hyperguyver2]

If you knew anything about Panzer/Davis Productions the issues that plagued this movie would become very obvious. Abramowicz would interfere regularly as well as the IP holder demanding certain elements be present with no compromise.

[@anthonyt1t5]

He only does storyboards now which is a shame cuz he's a talented director.

[@Caio-ow5tm]

We need Ninja Scroll 2 asap

[@boxtank5288]

I enjoyed my time with the movie though it definitely has flaws, they are ones I can OVERLOOK. And yes with Marcus' plan I muttered to myself 'Now behold my creation: COVID-20!' in as best an imitation of that scientist dude who didn't seem to understand shit about the kind of man his boss was.

[@projp9057]

Wow

[@siamiam]

There can be only one cat! i watched the first highlander in the theater but im one of the few who actually liked the 2nd one more , im still upset about minor a role Donnie Yen had in HL endgame lol as a Highlander movie and animated i really wanted to enjoy this movie more, but it just seemed to be on and then it was over , it felt empty . some times going in with too high of expectations can ruin a film

[@Stevem]

Ya know the premise of Highlander 2 is so batshit I may actually have to give it a go, ive started watching the series so no stopping now

[@Kerwin-Kendell]

Stevem, Highlander 1986 is not campy or goofy - I admit it does have flaws. It's a brilliant work of art that changed cinema (along with Blade Runner). The score & soundtrack is amazing (few movies even now have this (the 3rd movie is the only other with a great score. None of the Marvel films have great scores or soundtracks). I understand it's not ur taste or...whatever but to knock the original film is a bit insulting bro. And I think the 1986 films directors name is pronounced Mul-kay. Every youtube who reviews or tries to review Highlander fails (some miserably) - WTF? I guess I'll have to do what no one else can.

[@ryanurbancik3148]

Highlander 3 was great, we tend to pretend the 2nd movie never happened.

[@thisithis]

The best Highlander is the first film, the Live action TV show, and the Anime. Pretty much everything else with the HighLander name sucks. So yeah, you didn't miss out on much.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

It's sad to hear that the Vampire Hunter D show got delayed for the mediocre Castlevania show. But then again, it being animated in 3D doesn't excite me. But I would like to see what Kawajiri would do with CGI.

[@Stevem]

hard to say , how much is 2d or 3d i think they want to do some pretty wild shit with the idea rather than emulate anime look , one of the directors pinned for it a while back worked on one of the tekken movies so i think they'll be going full in on amano 3d look . they also want to do 1 hr long eps so it's debatable if it will ever go through

[@v-trigger6137]

it's not "mediocre" lol. the writing is ok (I mean it was pretty good until season 3, which was full of cheap shock value and it ended in a shitty cliffhanger) and the voice acting is pretty solid. but yeah, in terms of animation the show don't holds a candle compared to any Kawajiri movie or any japanese anime in general. and it's really a shame that they decided to make on that cheap show, instead of securing Kawajiri's project.. though I wonder why didn't he tried at Amazon, coz last time I heard they were lacking anime content, and they were really interested in partnering up with japanese animation studios and individual talent. I bet they would definitely greenlit his project

[@Stevem]

@@v-trigger6137 i have mixed feeling about the castlevania show, but it's certainly not cheap, far more expensive than any anime tv show i can tell you that for a fact, I thought season 1 was a glorified pilot with some nice moments here and there, but lacking. I like season 2 for maybe half to a little over half of the season the ending felt really rushed and the pacing was really weird since they spent most of the season in a library the ending with dracula was really disappointing and kinda just turned into mad shonen BS with the vampires the alucard room part was so trite. I didnt see season 3 i heard it did really well for the creators viewership wise but have heard nothing else. I'm sure kawajiri has a approached all the regular companies the issue last i heard is JP investors are not interested

[@v-trigger6137]

@@Stevem it still look cheap tho. the animation looks very lifeless, it plays very clingy, like it's running on 10 or 12 frames per second (you should've seen episode 5 from season 3, there was a scene where Trevor fights with some priests, that scene was a abomination. it's like they couldn't even afford proper time and budget to finish a simple scene) and most of the backgrounds are just prerendered images, they have no detail or any sort of animation at all. hell there are some main scenes where they have literally used a prerendered still frame, probably just so they don't have to animated more movements, so they can save more budget Lol (which is also not surprising considering, while making season 3, they were also working on another anime project simultaneously) anyway, I will gonna choose that Dragon's Dogma anime over Castlevania anyday. even though Dragon's Dogma is cgi, and some people have complained about the animation being rushed or something, I still found it 50 times better than Castlevania. Dogma's animation still looks very precious and beautiful. I hope Netflix will gonna greenlit another season to Dogma, that anime has left a lot of doors open for improvement

[@Stevem]

@@v-trigger6137 Cheapness is a bad way to describe animation in general it's also pretty disrespectful, since money and quality are not exactly connected at the hip in animation, its all about the talent, timing and schedule. Castlevania's issue is it's designs are really animation unfriendly down to the fucking ears. I don't know what you mean by pre-rendered either when it comes to the backgrounds are you imply they're CGI, rendering is a wide term , we used to say prerendered backgrounds as a term in video games for bgs that were not rendered in real time with the engine but 2d animation is not rendered in real time. Most anime are on 2s or 3s so i have no idea what youre talking abut with the 10 frames comment perhaps the interpolation is wrong or the timing of it. Powerhouse is likely trying to save resources not "budget" netflix has alll the money in the world and no weekly deadline. Castlevania is a VERY popular show season 3 being in the top 10 of worldwide netflix ratings when released. Also studios constantly are working on more than one show that's just a fact, although that depends which show youre talking about because Blood of Zeus is basically outsourced ,not done inhouse.

[@creekandseminole]

Off topic here, but I found your channel just the other day and I subscribed and watched almost every video you've done. Great work and insight! I don't use Patreon, but I wanted to suggest one film. It's a 1985 film called Angel's Egg. The plot is razor thin, but the visuals are amazing for its time.

[@Stevem]

i know angels egg , im glad you're enjoying

[@ninjasniperproductions4476]

Being a "reviewer" is the closest thing you could think of to make a name for yourself, huh?

[@Stevem]

MADHOUSE PLAYLIST kzbin.info/aero/PLyhSewr7iiMRliPUR6qKRYED0WV7QsMIo

[@miguelthedrawtist]

I remember watching this and thinking: "Well, that was a thing."

[@Stevem]

same lol

[@NostikGraphykz]

Bro, what are you talking about? This is a great movie and story line.

[@Industriajor]

Where from are those Ninja Scroll scenes? I've never seen those in the movie!

[@Artesian_mirage]

It was a short concept piece Kawajiri made to attract investors for a Ninja Scroll sequel, but never came to full fruition unfortunately

[@Artesian_mirage]

It's called "Ninja Scroll Burst"

[@gunswordfist]

Holy fuck, he's worked/working on Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer too? Call me a fan!

[@PirataGalactico]

I too have only seen the first movie, and although campy and silly sometimes, it really has great charm and style as you said. I've been meaning for too long to watch the sequel just because it was filmed in Argentina (where i'm from). And from what i've read, it goes bonkers with its own mythology. That's a train wreck i'm willing to watch.

[@Stevem]

there's a couple different versions , id recommend the empire article it goes into it and the behind the scene on HL2

[@PirataGalactico]

@@Stevem Nice! I'll check it out!

[@Stevem]

@@PirataGalactico in the pinned comment!

[@fast1nakus]

The only thing I remembered from this anime was his stupid hairstyle and emotional emptiness.

[@fenrisilver]

"I really don't like the idea of a man made virus conspiracy, it sounds just so dumb." *TOPICAL*

[@Stevem]

only in melty brain town

[@Bluargh02]

I like this movie. Its the only sequel next to endgame that's watchable

[@Stevem]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/laW8hZawapeNeJo this film????

[@TheRealNormanBates]

I don’t know if I would call *Highlander* campy or silly. It’s very much akin to *Star Wars...* either you get pulled into the movie and love the storytelling or the fantasy elements just push you away. For that matter, what would one’s definition of “camp” and “cheese” be? Campy I feel is intentionally goofy, like the *Batman* 60’s show or *Flash Gordon* or *Rocky Horror.* Cheese would be movies that try to be serious epics/dramas/comedies/etc but fall right on their face, trip over their feet, fall off a cliff and right into a riptide. Like *Starcrash* or any number of Italian movies. 11:22 “I really don’t like the idea of a man made virus conspiracy... I think it’s kinda dumb.” *China has left the chat*

[@Stevem]

Highlander is the most camp thing i can think of a bunch of fucking immortal dudes who slap swords(poorlly) while pretending to be scottish or whatever Starwars is also has elements of camp but the COWARDs wont admit it I'd probs define camp from Susan's Sotag essay monoskop.org/images/5/59/Sontag_Susan_1964_Notes_on_Camp.pdf Cheesy i'd put on having fucking Queen sing the plot of the movie while you watch your wife grow old and die, I don't think either of these things are bad within camp is a genuine power as seen in Twin peaks or even Metal Gear People would say they correlate in ways, some say cheesy is to be inauthentic and i dont think that of highlander at all, although you could say some of its lines or scenes are leading into the area of artificial or over the topness like the ending special effect scene. No conspiracies in my chat brain melting is banned

[@BradLad56]

@@Stevem Funny you say poorly because the choreography was done by Bob Anderson who was a professional fencer and master swordsman who worked on various high profile films like the Mask of Zorro, Lord of the Rin and of course Highlander.

[@user-is5rv8qm4j]

By the way I see some clear Kurozuka references.

[@ghostlyjudge]

I love it XD

[@madrugaiden2317]

Yeah not seeing this one any time soon

[@Stevem]

i dont blame you

[@ToLa-qe1pg]

I wouldn't rely on Spoony's opnions on anything, the dude is an absolute trainwreck of a human being, if you've been out of the loop. Check out the "Down the Rabbit Hole" episode on him.

[@Stevem]

Being a trainwreck of a human being does not discredit your critical film opinions, the stuff he said about the highlander sequels was not controversial in the slightest Highlander 2 is one of the most hated films out there , I've seen the Down the Rabbit Hole video and I lived it I was there I saw a lot of it first hand, I dont think the point of his video is to point and gawk at spoony's personal troubles.

[@zillafire101]

His reviews were made before he lost it.

[@thomo2127]

I wish he would do berserk

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

wait did you just spend 14 minutes trashing a work of a master like Kawajiri's.....even if this film is his weakest work (which frankly isn't)....this is still a GOOD FILM....what the actual F man? This film isn't at all bad, and is still a fun film, not something worth you spend 14 minutes sayings is DULL or just passable, I enjoy the shit out of this film and actually of ALL HIGHLANDER films.....is easily the second best only bested by the original so dude wtf?

[@HellRider_]

Yeah. Like, it's not my favorite Kawajiri film by a longshot, but it's still an enjoyable romp and worth a watch for a sunday afternoon. That said, I can see why one would be disappointed because VHD Bloodlust was just *so* good that following it up with a by the numbers DTV spinoff would feel disappointing.

[@stitcha123]

It seems your feelings are easily hurt my highlander loving sweetie xxx

[@TheCoolCore]

I've seen Highlander: Vengeance a few years ago, and well let's just say I liked it enough to give it a 5/10 on MAL...

[@Stevem]

A graceful score

[@alan7life]

Rip

[@Stevem]

not dead!!!

[@andrewquick4176]

Highlander is massively overrated. The lore makes little sense and is a tad dull 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@zillafire101]

It's just an excuse to have cool sword duels. Lore isn't that important.

[@user-rc3cm1zv4j]

A Spanish Egyptian played by a scot man... huh? 🥴

[@Stevem]

When you're an immortal the whole point of where you're from becomes mixed , Sean Connery's character was over a thousand years old, he'd been born in Egypt , married in Japan then spent his currents years working for Spanish Royality but living in Scottland

[@user-rc3cm1zv4j]

@@Stevem boy that's alot of mixing 😆