Not just "Shogun": better samurai movies and series to watch this weekend

The Shogun series is already claiming to be one of the most popular TV projects of 2024. The TV adaptation of James Clavell's novel of the same name has drawn attention to samurai themes and the complexity of the interaction between Western and Japanese cultures. UNN has compiled for you a selection of movies and TV series about samurai that you can watch this weekend.

Blue-eyed samurai

2023  Rating: IMDb: 8.7

It's a cartoon, but it's not a children's movie. Netflix has created a beautiful, but very bloody, eroticized series, which, perhaps, can be considered one of the best among its kind.

The plot is based on the fate of the heroine Mizu, the daughter of a Japanese woman and a European. The girl was persecuted because of the color of her eyes - she was considered cursed, because she was "the child of the white devil", as Europeans were called in Japan in the XVII century.

Growing up, Mizu is on a path of revenge - she is looking for the man - her father - who raped her mother. The heroine doesn't know which of the 4 "white devils" in Japan is her father, but she has vowed revenge and will stop at nothing.

At the moment only 1 season of the series has been released, but it is already known that the project will be extended.

Sanada Fortress

2016  IMDb: 7.8

This Japanese historical series tells the story of the Sanada family members during the Sengoku period, when the country was plagued by continuous civil wars. The small clan of samurai managed to survive the hard times and became famous for the military skill and cunning of their leader Nobushige Sanada, who became famous as one of the greatest generals of Japan.

47 ronins

2013 year   IMDb: 6.3.

The filmmakers took a Japanese legend about samurai sworn to avenge the death of their leader, but turned it into a fantasy movie starring Keanu Reeves.

The protagonist - a half-breed and orphan Kai, finds himself at the head of a squad of ronins (samurai who lost their suzerain) and trying to restore his good name, after he fell victim to betrayal.

13 killers

2010 year. IMDb: 7.6.

Japan in the middle of the 19th century is the end of the samurai era. Against the background of the change of power in the country, a group of samurai is formed with Prince Naritsugu Matsudira, whose men commit atrocities and robberies throughout the country.

Hidden blade

2004 year. IMDb: 7.7.

Munezo Katagiri, an impoverished samurai from the province, rescues his longtime lover from her abusive husband. But his love for the girl is forbidden, because they are from different classes. While the hero is going through a personal drama, he faces a deadly threat - his longtime friend is assigned to kill him.

The Last Samurai

2003 year. IMDb: 7.7.

The movie, for participation in which, Tom Cruise studied sword wielding and Japanese language for a long time.

The second half of the 19th century - the Japanese emperor decides to change the country and adopt Western values. The samurai find themselves on the margins of history and, unprepared to accept this fate, revolt. The emperor hires the American military, including Tom Cruise's character, to create an updated, capable army that will be able to suppress the samurai.

In the story Cruz's hero falls into captivity to a noble samurai, where he becomes more familiar with the traditions and customs of this estate, pronyakayasya to them respect.

The Twilight Samurai

2002 IMDb: 8.1.

The action takes place in the second half of the 19th century. A simple samurai of the lowest rank, Seibei Iguchi, raises his daughters and serves as the clan's housekeeper. One day the man meets a childhood friend, who has just divorced her abusive husband.

When he comes to confront her, the hero stands up for the girl and defeats her opponent with a simple wooden stick. Impressed by Seibei's abilities, his superior orders the man to kill a rebellious samurai who refuses to commit suicide.