So, it took me a while, but I realized that the dramatic and white clad assassin with a rose fetish was Odagiri Joe.  In my defense, he isn't very recognizable, aside from the chin.

Anyway, aside from one near-massive misstep about 2/3 through, Azumi is a pretty solid bit of martial arts cheese.  It's well shot and has pretty good fight sequences, and I think it tries to be somewhat gender blind regarding Azumi's skills through most of the movie.  Except for near the end, she's not put forth as a Sooper Speshul Warrior Woman, or portrayed as being weaker than her male comrades.  In addition, the only allowances to gender in her upbringing seems to be that she slept apart from the guys.


I have Azumi 2 somewhere.  Possibly, I will dig it out and watch it tomorrow for the lolz.  I hope it is as entertaining as the first.  I also understand it has Oguri Shun.

So, I am 20 minutes into the jmovie Azumi and have officially added Azumi to the shortlist of Supremely Awesome Angsty origins.


...

Ok, fine, typing it up, I realize it is more generic in words than it is awesome as you watch.

But the entire cast of Claymore still proves the subject line to be true!