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Action drama

Blade of the Immortal (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Blade of the Immortal (2017) movie poster

Blade of the Immortal is a 2017 action drama directed by Takashi Miike, starring Takuya Kimura as Manji, Hana Sugisaki and Yôko Yamamoto. It is partly based on Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Volume 1 by Hiroaki Samura. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $7.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$7.2M
Echo Score
80
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Blade of the Immortal (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Takashi Miike
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blade of the Immortal About?

The premise of Blade of the Immortal without spoilers, adapted from Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Volume 1 by Hiroaki Samura. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In feudal Japan, the immortal samurai Manji leads a solitary existence, burdened by the memories of those he has killed. His life changes when he encounters a young girl seeking revenge for her family's brutal massacre. Agreeing to help her, Manji becomes her protector and trains her in swordsmanship, all while embarking on a dangerous journey to confront the powerful and merciless swordsmen responsible for the tragedy. They face numerous challenges as they pursue justice and seek to end the cycle of violence.

Blade of the Immortal Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • samurai
  • based on manga
  • one against many
  • katana
  • revenge
  • japan
  • one man army
  • blonde woman
  • ronin
  • massacre
  • tattooed criminal
  • live action remake of anime
+38 more
  • based on comic
  • splatter
  • blood
  • rape
  • jidai geki
  • sword fight
  • katana sword
  • blonde
  • blonde girl
  • japanese
  • japanese girl
  • japanese woman
  • girl
  • orphan
  • brother sister relationship
  • forced sex
  • sibling relationship
  • edo
  • immortal man
  • immortality
  • lesson
  • quicksand
  • terrain
  • leader
  • shogun
  • shogunate
  • younger sister
  • brunette
  • seeing family die
  • dojo
  • training
  • hungry
  • sake
  • tea
  • priest
  • demon
  • cemetery
  • older brother
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Cast & crew

Blade of the Immortal Cast & Characters

Takuya Kimura leads the cast as Manji, with Hana Sugisaki as Rin Asano, Machi, Manji's sister and Yôko Yamamoto as Yaobikuni. Directed by Takashi Miike; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Blade of the Immortal

· 6 more
From the director

More from Takashi Miike

More films directed by Takashi Miike, best-rated first: Sham, 13 Assassins, First Love and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blade of the Immortal Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blade of the Immortal 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

80 /100

Blade of the Immortal Echo Score Breakdown

Blade of the Immortal stands out for its stylish direction and visceral action sequences despite some narrative bloat. Critics frequently highlight the film’s unconventional framing and bold production design, praising its inventive gore and visual flair. Many users echo this, commending the choreography and cinematography while noting occasional shaky camerawork and editing lapses. At the same time, several observers find the pacing overlong and the story familiar. Overall, the film delivers a striking sensory impact tempered by structural unevenness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    The film’s art and craft exhibit bold visual style and dynamic staging. Direction by Miike showcases inventive framing and production design, with critics describing the aesthetic as unconventional and stylish. Users praise the cinematography in sword fights, though some point to uneven shot composition and editing inconsistencies. This results in a distinctive but occasionally flawed visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Character and emotional depth in the film is engaging but occasionally undercut by uneven performances. Several reviewers commend Kimura’s nuanced portrayal of a disillusioned samurai and highlight the bond with the young girl as emotionally resonant. Positive notes on acting performances and dialogue emerge from many users. However, some critiques cite awkward line delivery and inconsistent character development. Overall, the emotional impact remains solid despite fluctuations.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The film’s story offers thematic depth but suffers from extended length and familiar elements. Critics recognize its exploration of virtue and immortality and praise the underlying message, while noting that the plot echoes established revenge narratives. Users comment on engaging action but cite sluggish pacing and occasional narrative padding. Observations of overlong runtime and derivative structure are common. Ultimately, the storyline provides meaningful ideas but feels uneven in execution.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory experience in the film is intense, driven by vivid action and sound design. Reviewers frequently acclaim the impressive gore, crisp soundtrack, and dramatic fight choreography, labeling the sequences as thrilling and immersive. Users highlight standout visual effects and unsettling CG elements. A minority point to overly rapid cuts and unstable camera angles during close-quarters battles. In sum, the sensory impact is powerful yet sporadically uneven.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    The film’s rewatch factor is moderate, benefitting from its stylistic highlights but hampered by its length and uneven elements. Certain dramatic set pieces and philosophical undertones invite repeat viewings, as do the inventive fight scenes praised by fans and critics. However, extended runtime, pacing inconsistencies, and sporadic editing lapses may diminish long-term appeal. Overall, the film offers memorable moments but may not sustain high rewatch frequency for all audiences.

Plot

Blade of the Immortal Plot Summary

What happens in Blade of the Immortal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As Manji ran from the repercussions of his past actions, he was relentlessly pursued by the heavy burden of guilt, haunted by the specters of those he’d lost. His choice to protect his sister, Machi, who had succumbed to madness, turned out to be a grave error. She fell prey to a ruthless gang of ronin who sought a bounty on his life. In a reluctant act of submission to their demands, tragedy struck when they brutally murdered Machi, igniting a fierce desire for vengeance within him. Manji unleashed a wave of deadly revenge upon his enemies, yet at a devastating price—his own life. Just as he took his final breath, the enigmatic Yaobikuni appeared, granting him “sacred bloodworms” that resurrected him as an eternal immortal.

Full summary

The whole story of Blade of the Immortal, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Blade of the Immortal Box Office

Blade of the Immortal grossed $7.2 million worldwide. $150,532 came from the US and Canada and $7 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.2M

US & Canada
$150.5K
International
$7M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Videos

Blade of the Immortal Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 clips.

All 6 videos
Blade of the Immortal - Official Trailer
  • Trailer Blade Of The Immortal - Official UK trailer
  • Clip Blade Of The Immortal clip - First Fight
  • Clip Blade of The Immortal clip - Bloodworms
  • Clip Blade of The Immortal clip - Lesson One
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blade of the Immortal?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What fateful decision does Manji make that leads to his sister's demise?

Details

Blade of the Immortal Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Mugen no jûnin” and “불멸의 검”.

Also known as
  • Mugen no jûnin
  • 불멸의 검
  • 無限之住人
  • La espada del inmortal
  • Клинок бессмертного
  • Blade: A Lâmina do Imortal
  • Miecz Nieśmiertelnego
  • L'immortale
  • A Espada do Imortal
  • Η Λεπίδα του Αθάνατου
  • Острието на Безсмъртния
  • 无限之住人
+8 more
  • 무한의 주인: 불멸의 검
  • Ölümsüz Kılıç
  • להב האלמוות
  • A Halhatatlan pengéje
  • 無限住人
  • Spada Nemuritorului
  • Lưỡi Kiếm Bất Tử
  • ฤทธิ์ดาบไร้ปรานี

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FAQ

Blade of the Immortal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Blade of the Immortal, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blade of the Immortal?

Blade of the Immortal runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was Blade of the Immortal released?

Blade of the Immortal was released on November 3, 2017.

Who directed Blade of the Immortal?

Blade of the Immortal was directed by Takashi Miike.

More films by Takashi Miike

Who is in the cast of Blade of the Immortal?

Blade of the Immortal stars Takuya Kimura as Manji, Hana Sugisaki as Rin Asano, Machi, Manji's sister and Yôko Yamamoto as Yaobikuni, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Blade of the Immortal make at the box office?

Blade of the Immortal grossed $7.2 million worldwide ($150,532 domestic, $7 million international).

How is Blade of the Immortal rated?

Blade of the Immortal has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Is Blade of the Immortal based on a book?

Yes. Blade of the Immortal is partly adapted from Blade of the Immortal Deluxe Volume 1 by Hiroaki Samura.

Does Blade of the Immortal have a post-credit scene?

No. Blade of the Immortal has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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