One of the best Samurai films ever. Kîchi Nakai is an incredible actor and Koichi Sato supports him in the best way during the film. Mibu gishi den is one of the few films that bring you both joy and sorrow. What makes the film so touchy and significant is its realistic perspective; showing people with their different characteristics, a person can be a hero and a coward, at the same time but the last word and last sword are always for the heroes. Kanichiro Yoshimura is one of the crowd at first, we see him teaching in the classroom, we see him falling in love, we see him taking care of his kids. He's so real... We can smell the poverty and desperation when the trouble strikes. And the destiny takes him to Shinsen-gumi. He is so sincere and open hearted that he is not afraid of expressing his own feelings but deep inside he carries the heart of a very noble and brave warrior. Mibu gishi den's characterizations are marvelous, not only with Kanichiro and Saito Sensei, but also with the Kanichiro's childhood friend who is a rich landlord and the doctor we meet in the beginning of the film. Historical background of the movie is also interesting.
