Forum - View topicSword of the Stranger -- good for newbies?
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pete1986
 Posts: 6 Location: Northern Ireland |
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Hey i was just wondering if i could get some advice from some of you who have seen the anime film sword of the stranger. Its being shown next week as part of the belfast film festival and i was hoping to bring along some friends who have never really seen much anime. They have seen some of trailers that have been posted online so at least they seem pretty interested.
Im still hoping to see the film, but i was wondering if anyone had seen it, is it good as an introduction to anime? thanks. |
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Ausdoerrt
 Posts: 481 |
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I guess you could show it to them. While being much more distinctly "anime" than, say, Miyazaki films, it does not require much prior knowledge to be watched.
The movie, however, it mostly action, and at times very violent. |
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Top Gun
 Posts: 5319 |
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I think it would work fairly well for relative newbies. My younger brother's only seen a few Miyazaki films, and he enjoyed it quite a bit when I took him to see it. The animation and fight choreography are brilliant, and the story is simplistic enough that it shouldn't be all that confusing to anyone. It really feels more like a classic period live-action movie than a "typical anime," so I think it's worth a shot dragging your friends along.
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walw6pK4Alo
 Posts: 9322 |
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It's a good movie that's low on big themes or characterization but is big on animation and fun. It might be a good way to show them how serious anime can be, but it certainly can't the the only thing that you use to ease them into it.
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jetz
 Posts: 2148 Location: Manila, Philippines |
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Because of the violence and gore, I'm not sure if it will make a good introduction to anime. They might think that all anime are like that. However, if they can look past that and if they're not bothered by gore, then it could be okay. Besides, the story is actually really good. I like the relationship between Nanashi and Kotarou - kinda reminded me of Seirei no Moribito, another anime I love. And as the others mentioned, the animation is really good.
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SalarymanJoe
 Posts: 468 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA |
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I'll agree that this is not just a good film for "newbies" or people not necessarily exposed to Japanese animation but this is an excellent film. It's self contained, nicely wrapped, has great animation, pacing and music. I remember remarking to a friend of mine after we saw it that it was Ninja Scroll for a new generation.
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Wellness
Posts: 175 |
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If they are already fans of westerns and samurai films, it would be ok. But as others have said, as an introduction, if they are big on violence and especially some of the themes presented in westerns and samurai films, then it probably isn't the best intro.
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Top Gun
Posts: 5319 |
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I'd really hesitate to call any of the material in the movie "gore;" it's not as though one sees exploding heads or eviscerated corpses in explicit detail. Yes, there's certainly a great deal of violence, but no more than your average R-rated Hollywood blockbuster. Hell, there's far more graphic content in the first ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan than in this entire film. |
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Zin5ki
 Posts: 6680 Location: London, UK |
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That said, quite a few people were introduced to anime through Akira, and that had its fair share. |
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Mushi-Man
 Posts: 1537 Location: KCMO |
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I haven't seen this movie yet (though I plan to). But I have seen people say that it's not a good intro film because it's violent. But we have to remember that Ninja Scroll introduced a lot of people to anime. And i don't know if you've seen it, but it's not exactly people talking out they're problems. I'm not taking a stance on one side or the other yet until I see the movie, but I'd just like to through this point into the discussion.
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Kruszer
 Posts: 8017 Location: Minnesota, USA |
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Well, I went to it in the theater earlier this year (Febuary) with two non fans and they thought it was really good, so take from that what you will.
At any rate it's an absolutely fantastic film. I saw it in fansubs and was ecstatic to learn it was getting a theatrical release here, so I definitely HAD to go and see it on the big screen in all it's glory with surround sound. 
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Wellness
Posts: 175 |
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Its not on par with Ninja Scroll as far as gore goes, but the violence can get graphic and at times might be to fast for your average viewer to catch, such a scene where the protagonist dispatches one of the first major henchmen he faces. But then again, they might enjoy that. |
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Kanbe
 Posts: 12 |
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It really depends on the people you're trying to introduce to anime. If they like a good action movie and don't mind blood and guts I really don't see why that would bother them in an anime. Though if they're not into that it's probably best to go with something else.
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Ausdoerrt
Posts: 481 |
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I'd like to add that it's a weird combination, and beside the blood'n'violence, you get a warm and fuzzy, almost Disney-like story (minus the whole murderous Chinese thing) that could almost appeal to kids.
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Wellness
Posts: 175 |
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Yeah, there are bits of Maury and Me in there with the dog. But really it is more in tune with a western IMO. |
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