Hayam DK's blog

What a film! What a film! What a film!!

I bought "Azumi" on dvd years ago as I am a big fan of Asian films and had quite a collection. I just decided to watch it again the other day and damn I loved it!!
It is the story of a bunch of orphan kids who live with a Samurai master on top of a mountain in complete isolation. They are raised as warrior assassins and when they reach puberty they leave the mountain in order to go kill all the evil warlords who wage war against each other. These kids' sole purpose in life is to fulfil their mission, that is what they live for and they die for.
I remember the first time I watched this film I got traumatized...it is a film that really plays with feelings but at the same time there is some kick-ass action and Aya Ueto the actress who plays Azumi is so beautiful!! I just can't get over the fact that she looks so tiny and angelic but is a fierce assassin who is capable of fighting like a true warrior!! It is like watching a doll fight!
Azumi you are officially my hero!! About time they gave us some female hero that combines femininity and great fighting skills!!

Azumi and her friends...when they found out the ultimate test was to slain each other!

 

Nachi

Nachi is Azumi's best friend and is one of the gang's best warrios. Unfortunately the Master's ultimate test orders the kids to pair up with whom they like the most and kill each other...this according to him is they key to become a true assassin, the ability of kill coldly without succumbing to emotions.
Unfortunately Nachi and Azumi are forced to fight each other and Nachi dies. Azumi gets traumatized by this and she keeps repeting his name during the whole length of the film (and even in Azumi 2).

Aya Ueto looks so innocent and gorgeous...yes, wait until she grabs that sword!!

 

My favourite character in Azumi is the mysterious man in white with the rose, Bijomaru Mogami (what a name!!). He is a total psycho, he is probably homosexual and has a very elegant but sinister presence that is guaranteed to charm you and make you feel extremely uneasy at the same time. His cruelty is beyond words...he is definitely the most stylish villain I have ever seen in a film!

Bijomaru Mogami

Azumi and Bijumaru have an amazing fight scene

I also bought on DVD Azumi 2. Very good film, but I wouldn't recommend watching it if one hasn't watched Azumi first, as the story continues directly from where it left off.

Death or Love? I still didn't understand why this subtitle

I still prefer the first film, but also the second part is good. There are some excellent fighting scenes and some really cool effect! A great addition to the cast is the famous Japanese schoolgirl with the metal ball from Kill Bill, Chiaki Kuriyama , who plays guess what ? A traitor and a villain!! But...she gets her arse kicked even this time!!!

Chiaki Kuriyama as Kozue in Azumi 2

Guys if you love Japanese action films, Azumi and Azumi 2 are not to be missed!! Epic!!!
Anyway here is the link to these filmS...not the best quality but you can watch them for free online...tell me what you think...and please if you do like them buy them on DVD, the industry and the artists need to be supported for their hardwork!!

AZUMI full film

 

 

 AZUMI 2- Death or Love

 full film