What good's a swordsman who won't draw his weapon? Plenty, if that's all you have on your side. Young Kotaro is sent from China to feudal Japan for his own protection — but he quickly finds that the Ming clan has set assassins on his trail. Luo-Lang, the leader of these hunters, is a both a Westerner and unusually skilled with a blade, and Kotaro has only his faithful dog, Tobimaru, for companionship and defense. But in his moment of greatest need, Kotaro happens across No Name, a battle-scarred ronin who refuses to use his sword for reasons known only to himself. Circumstance places Kotaro under No Name's protection, which means at some point No Name and Luo-Lang have to fight — Sword of the Stranger is a samurai anime after all. Directed by Masahiro Ando and animated by studio BONES (known for its work on Cowboy Bebop), Sword of the Stranger has been acclaimed for its intricate-yet-coherent plot and sweet samurai action. The English-dub version of the film receives a one-night-only screening at 7:30 p.m. this evening at Regal St. Louis Mills Stadium 18 (5555 St. Louis Mills Boulevard, Hazelwood; 314-227-5500) and the AMC Chesterfield 14 (636-532-7326). Tickets are $12.50 and available at www.fathomevents.com.
Image Copyright, Studio BONES
Thu., Feb. 5, 2009