I loved Azumi. Even better the first pics from Azumi 2 w/ Chiako "Go-Go" Kuriyama!
 

I don't know how many people have seen Kitamura's wonderful anime come to life film Azumi, but personally I loved the movie, would rather see that again on the big screen then any of the crap coming out this summer.

Anyway here are some pics from Azumi 2, who geeks may be more intersted in for the new samurai in the film who most here will be know as Go-Go Yubari.

The main reason I loved the first film was b/c of Kitamura's directing, there was a shot at the end with a camera panning around vertically while the hero & main villain fought on a ledge that I thought was one of the coolest action sequences in recent memory, so I don't know how good the sequel may be w/out him, but Kuriyama cetainly helps.

http://www.shusuke-kaneko.com/eng/Azumi/DSC_1723.jpg

http://www.shusuke-kaneko.com/eng/Azumi/DSC_1552.jpg

http://www.shusuke-kaneko.com/eng/Azumi/DSC_1755.jpg

http://www.shusuke-kaneko.com/eng/Azumi/DSC_1704.jpg

http://www.shusuke-kaneko.com/eng/Azumi/DSC_1610.jpg

Sessa,

Eventhough I did not like Azumi as much as you did, I felt that it was a much better film than the last Shurayuki-hime (Princess Blade). Plus, I was really, really craving for a good contemporary-made chambara film that's not too heavy. After watching Tasogare Seibei and Mibu Gishi Den (which were far impressive than The Last Samurai), I wanted a samurai action film with a lighter tone. I am so glad that Kitamura came out with Azumi (plus I read an interview where he really wanted the chambara/jidai-geki genre revived).

Seeing that you are a big fan or Ryuhei Kitamura, I was hoping if you could shed some light on whether his Sky High and Aragami were good films. I am thinking of getting them but am a little bit cautious considering the "sky-high" prices of Japanese dvds.

I am a big fan of Japanese films and just love how the films there seem to bring out some freshness out of everthing else that's coming out of Hollywood.

Re: I loved Azumi. Even better the first pics from Azumi 2 w/ Chiako "Go-Go" Kuriyam
 

Do the turtles show up to face Shredder, too? :p