T5W#430-Top 5 Yoshiyaki Kawajiri Movies

Now that my Halloween reviews are all done, can I talk for a second about how it kind of turned into a Six Degrees of Yoshiuaki Kawajiri Month?  I mean I looked at three of his movies (Wicked City, Demon City Shinjuku and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust), while the other three had tepid connections to his work (Vampire Hunter D would of course get a sequel from him; he’d eventually direct the TV Anime version of X; and Ninja Resurrection was falsely advertised in the US as a sequel to Ninja Scroll).  Kind of crazy how that all worked out.  So today, I’m spotlighting the Top 5 Yoshiyaki Kawajiri Movies, works of a seasoned action Anime Director who’s given me some of my all time favorite classics…so you can probably guess what #1 will be but I’ve got plenty to say about the others.  So grab your sharpest Anime sword and read on.

 
#5-Highlander: The Search for Vengeance

In a franchise where sequels are not it’s strong suit, The Search for Vengeance actually ends up being arguably the best Highlander since the original.  Kawajiri’s flare for slick sword play is perfect for the world of the Immortals and the various fights across history between Colin Macleod and Marcus Octavius are freaking great.  It’s not a perfect film as it recycles a lot of plot elements from past Highlander movies but there’s still a lot that feeds the notion that we need more Highlander Anime.  Best one’s still the original but The Search for Vengeance proves a Highlander sequel is doable.
 

#4-Wicked City

Kawajiri’s solo directorial debut oozes everything that he would come to be known for with his filmography.  You have gorey supernatural violence, a lead that is efficient and bad ass, tons of beautiful woman and monsters aplenty.  Wicked City might be light on story and proper character development but it’s style cannot be denied.  It’s dark, atmospheric and very adult (seriously, this is one of those rare occasions where an Anime director kind of slipped in some Hentai into a mainstream feature).  It’s a bit rough around the edges but Wicked City is still a cool opening act from one of Anime’s greatest action directors.
 

#3-Program (The Animatrix)

An entry from 2003’s The Animatrix, Program focuses on a training program that turns deadly for a beautiful warrior.  Blending the techno wizardry of the Matrix with souped up Samurai slicing action, Program is further evidence that Kawajiri can spice up any action franchise he is allowed to work on.  The scope of this short is insane and just keeps getting bigger and bigger while still adhering close to the old style Samurai film roots that inspired it.  Also, this is one of the few times a Kawajiri film has a female lead heroine who doesn’t devolve into a helpless damsel.

 
#2-Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Almost fifteen years after his first Anime appearance, D returns in this cooler than cool Gothic horror action romp.  While the action is as excellent as always, where Kawajiri excels most here is with the visuals.  The difference between this film and the 80s OVA is night and day (or prettier night).  In many way, the creepy castles, crumbling wastelands and air of terror that permeate each scene could be mistaken for something out of Castlevania.  It also keeps viewers on their toes with some unexpected twists that complicate D’s mission to rescue an abducted Heiress.  There’s a reason I chose this one for my big Halloween review this year.  One glimpse of D on his horse on a hill with the moon right behind him and you know you’re watching an Anime for the ages.
 

#1-Ninja Scroll

Big surprise amirite?  No matter how much time passes or what new Anime come out in the same vein, Ninja Scroll is still a one of a kind experience and one of the greatest action Anime ever made.  Jubei’s various showdowns with Gemma and the Devils of Kimon are all unique and have the wandering Samurai needing to use more than just his sword to bring them down.  Though with just his blade, Jubei mows does hordes of Ninjas like he’s mowing the lawn.  There’s also the drop dead gorgeous Kagero and tons of stomach churning moments not for the feint of heart.  I still get pumped watching this one every once in a while and it is still the greatest defining masterpiece of Yoshiyaki Kawajiri’s impressive film resume.