Samurai 7 Volume 1

Details

 Director: Toshifumi Takizawa
 Catalogue Number: MVD2124
 Certificate: 12
 Date Released: 6th February 2006
 Screen: Widescreen 16:9 Anamorphic
 Languages: English 5.1
 Additional Languages: Japanese 5.1
 Subtitles: English
 Duration: 100minutes

Synopsis

The Legendary Epic Reborn!

Based on the legendary Akira Kurosawa classic epic feature film, Seven Samurai.
Set in a futuristic world that has just witnessed the end of a massive war, scores of villages are terrorized by Nobuseri bandits. But the Nobuseri are no normal bandits. They were once Samurai, who during the war integrated their living cells with machines to become dangerous weapons now appearing more machine than man. Absolute power corrupts, and their reign of terror is increasing its hold on the countryside.

But one group of villagers has had enough, deciding to hire samurai to protect their village. Kirara is a young priestess who travels to the city seeking out protection. One by one, she encounters brave samurai that the war has left behind. These men of skill and valor are each unique and not without their quirks. But can they come together as one to defend the helpless village?

Extras

• booklet
• Promotional video
• Textless Opening and closing
• character profiles

Cover

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Review

Even though I’ve never seen Seven Samurai I was still expecting great things from Samurai 7, probably because Gonzo had chosen to go with a concept that was developed by the master of Japanese cinema Akira Kurosawa. So far this first disk does not disappoint, with a nice relaxed pace that takes its time to introduce the characters and the setting, along with some kinetic action sequences and a nice dollop of humour. While futuristic settings are common place in anime, I like the way in which Gonzo have managed to meld the old with the new, without the whole setting coming across as forced or contrived. (Anime-On-DVD)