Stranger: Mukou Hadan (Sword of the Stranger)

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: ストレンヂア -無皇刃譚-

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Information

Type: Movie

Episodes: 1

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Sep 29, 2007

Producers: Bandai Visual, Shochiku, Sony Music Entertainment, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners

Licensors: Funimation, Bandai Entertainment

Studios: Bones

Source: Original

Genres: Action, Adventure

Themes: Historical, Samurai

Duration: 1 hr. 43 min.

Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)

Statistics

Score: 8.26¹ (scored by 162,454 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #296²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #693

Members: 328,258

Favorites: 2,975

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Funimation

8.26

Ranked #296Popularity #693Members 328,258

Episodes: /1

Synopsis

In the Sengoku period of Japan, a young orphan named Kotarou and his dog Tobimaru steal from unsuspecting villagers in order to make ends meet. However, Kotarou is forced to remain on the run when he finds himself being hunted down by assassins sent by China's Ming Dynasty for mysterious reasons not involving his petty crimes.

Fortunately, the duo run into Nanashi, a ronin who has taken refuge in a small temple, when Kotarou is attacked and Tobimaru poisoned. Although the samurai saves the helpless pair from their pursuers, he feels that there is no need to help them further; but when offered a gem in exchange for his services as a bodyguard, he reluctantly accepts Kotarou's offer of employment—just until Tobimaru is healed and the two reach their destination. As the three set out on a perilous journey, it soon becomes evident that their path is riddled with danger, as the Ming Dynasty has now sent a terrifying swordsman after them to capture Kotarou and fulfill a certain prophecy.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Stranger: Mukou Hadan won the award for Best Animated Feature at Brazil's International Fantastic Film Festival and was nominated for the same categories at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. It also won the 2009 "Menzione Speciale" recognition at Italy's Future Film Festival.

The film wasn't nominated to the Oscars, but it was amongst the 14 finalists for consideration to the Best Animated Feature Award; however, the final nominees were WALL-E, Bolt and Kung Fu Panda.

Episode Videos

Episode 1

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Stranger: Mukou Hadan
Other:	Stranger: Mukou Hadan Pilot

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Characters & Voice Actors

Nanashi

Main

Nagase, Tomoya
Japanese

Tobimaru

Main

Luo Lang

Main

Yamadera, Kouichi
Japanese

Kotarou

Main

Chinen, Yuuri
Japanese

Feng Wu

Supporting

Nojima, Hirofumi
Japanese

Mu Mao

Supporting

Mizusawa, Fumie
Japanese

Inui, Juurouta

Supporting

Miyano, Mamoru
Japanese

Itadori, Shougen

Supporting

Ootsuka, Akio
Japanese

Huo Chou

Supporting

Houki, Katsuhisa
Japanese

Yue Shen

Supporting

Aizawa, Masaki
Japanese

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Staff

Minami, Masahiko

Producer

Iizuka, Toshio

Producer

Tasaka, Hidemasa

Assistant Producer

Andou, Masahiro

Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

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Opening Theme

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Ending Theme

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Reviews

Nov 29, 2023

Dodokai23

Recommended

Title: Sword of the Stranger - A Masterclass in Action Anime Cinema

Rating: 10/10

Sword of the Stranger, directed by Masahiro Ando and produced by Studio BONES, is an anime film that excels on multiple fronts, delivering a thrilling narrative, stunning animation, and memorable characters. Released in 2007, this movie stands as a testament to the prowess of Japanese animation in the action genre.

Storyline (10/10):
Set in feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, Sword of the Stranger follows Kotaro, a young boy on the run, and Nanashi, a ronin with a mysterious past, as they become unlikely companions. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and ... impending war, weaving a tale of honor, sacrifice, and the search for identity. The pacing is expertly handled, offering a perfect balance between intense action sequences and moments of character development.

The storyline's strength lies not only in its engaging plot but also in its exploration of the human condition and the consequences of one's actions. The characters, even in the midst of breathtaking swordplay, are imbued with depth and complexity, elevating the film beyond mere spectacle.

Characters (10/10):
The characters in Sword of the Stranger are richly portrayed, each with their own motivations and internal struggles. Nanashi, the wandering swordsman haunted by his past, and Kotaro, the innocent child caught up in political machinations, form a compelling duo. The antagonists are equally well-crafted, with Luo-Lang, the relentless Chinese swordsman, standing out as a formidable and complex foe.

The character development is subtle yet impactful, with the relationships evolving organically as the story unfolds. Viewers become emotionally invested in the fates of these characters, adding resonance to the film's intense action sequences.

Animation and Art (10/10):
Sword of the Stranger boasts some of the most visually stunning animation in the anime film genre. Studio BONES delivers a feast for the eyes with fluid and dynamic fight choreography, beautifully rendered landscapes, and meticulously detailed character designs. The film's action sequences are a true highlight, combining traditional samurai swordplay with modern animation techniques to create breathtaking scenes that rival the best in the industry.

The art direction captures the essence of feudal Japan, with meticulous attention to historical detail and a vibrant color palette that enhances the visual experience. The animation and art come together seamlessly, creating a cinematic masterpiece that sets a high standard for action anime.

Soundtrack (10/10):
The musical score, composed by Naoki Sato, enhances the emotional impact of Sword of the Stranger. The soundtrack skillfully complements the film's various moods, from the quiet moments of reflection to the heart-pounding intensity of battle. The use of traditional Japanese instruments adds authenticity to the period setting, while the overall composition elevates the film's atmosphere, making it an integral part of the overall experience.

Impact and Legacy (10/10):
Sword of the Stranger has rightfully earned its place as a standout entry in the world of action anime cinema. Its impact is felt not only through critical acclaim but also in its lasting influence on subsequent works in the genre. The film's commitment to excellence in animation, storytelling, and character development has solidified its legacy among anime enthusiasts.

Conclusion:
Sword of the Stranger is a tour de force in action anime filmmaking, earning its 10/10 rating through a combination of stellar storytelling, compelling characters, breathtaking animation, and an evocative soundtrack. It stands as a shining example of the heights that anime can reach when all elements come together seamlessly. Whether you're a fan of the samurai genre or simply appreciate masterfully crafted animation, Sword of the Stranger is a must-watch that continues to resonate with audiences as a timeless classic.

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Aug 11, 2022

JezzaCh

Mixed Feelings

Decent story, decent animation. It was a decent watch. Nothing special. I have seen other reviews and they talked about the big budget this movie had. My main complaint as a chinese/mandarin speaker was the subpar translation, throwing me off many times. The voice actors seemed to have decided that getting the right tonation and words for the film was too much of an effort so they just threw in gibberish. Given the large budget of the film, I had hoped that they would have at least done some research into the chinese language and culture. Other than that, it was a fine movie.

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Sep 8, 2023

Yaroster

Not Recommended

Story (4/10): The problem with a lot of Samurai stories in anime is encapsulated here in my opinion.
Always adding an unnecessary part of weird fiction, constant style over essence and such — I would recommend watching the much better Kenshin OAV that is so far the most interesting samurai animated movie we’ve had and it is much older.

Voice Acting(1/10): As a Chinese speaker, albeit not an expert one, the voice acting for mandarin was beyond subpar — not even talking about tones it just sounded wrong and the Blu-Ray has a warning before the start of the movie saying that the author purposely pushed the ...

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Poll: Stranger - Mukoh Hadan Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Liquid - Apr 16, 2008	260 replies	by DjDuubstep »» Nov 5, 9:45 AM
Is this good?? Tanjiro1316 - May 3, 2022	21 replies	by Toueki »» Oct 10, 2022 8:02 PM
Poll: is it better in sub or dub? which gives a better feel? i_m_a_hero_too - Jul 1, 2020	7 replies	by Yukikaze_01 »» Feb 14, 2022 1:59 PM
Sword of the Stranger ending (warning: spoilers!) ( 1 2 3 ) NamariKirei - Feb 3, 2009	111 replies	by Adampk »» Feb 15, 2021 9:37 AM
Anyone know if the subtitle issue with Funimations release has been fixed? Nyren - Mar 8, 2017	0 replies	by Nyren »» Mar 8, 2017 2:30 PM

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Stranger: Mukou Hadan

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Stranger: Mukou Hadan

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