We return to the final chapter in Musashi Miyamoto’s (Toshiro Mifune) journey to becoming a samurai. Accompanying him is his student Jotaro (Kenjin Iida). Musashi is more at peace, but guilty about his last encounter with his love Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa), who is still devotedly following him.
Kojiro Sasaki (Koji Tsuruta) is even more determined to prove himself as the best samurai. Akemi (Mariko Okada) is still in love with Musashi and very jealous of Otsu. This final installment in this epic series is about Musashi finding peace with his past and balancing his love with his anger.
The remarkable thing about the film comes so clear and profound when viewed in context with the first two films. Each cast member has had their own journey that concludes in this film, some of which are surprising. I loved how this film shows Musashi displaying his skills as a samurai without having to even raise his sword. What makes the whole trilogy so special is that with each new lesson that Musashi learns there are new issues that he has to deal with. Epics can take on grand statements about life and experience and this one is one of the best.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
