Story: 7.5
The story is probably the worst part of this anime. That is not to say it is bad, it is just nothing special. A samurai saves a child from those who are hunting him and the anime kicks off from there focusing on themes such as companionship and loyalty. The plot is a rather generic "king wants immortality by sacrifice" story but it still remains enjoyable despite not being fully impressive. However, this anime definitely gets a bonus for having no fan-service and romance (I hate romance).
Art and Animation: 9
The animation is simply top notch. Its hard to see how it can get better than this. The weather effects are amazingly animated, the fight scenes flow smoothly and are well choreographed. The general attention to detail is completely stunning. Everything from the blood spewing from the characters after they are struck and then sparks caused by clashes of blades show that Bones truly are animation gods. The art can use some work however. The whole anime felt a bit dull and grey looking and some of the characters looked significantly worse than others. However, the general scenery and backgrounds are great.
Sounds: 9
Sometimes I felt like the audio was slightly out of sync but maybe its cause I was watching the dub. Either way, no real issues and its worth mentioning that the movie boasts an excellent soundtrack. The sound effects are flawless as well, with everything sounding as expected.
Characters: 8
The main samurai character and the blonde haired chinese mercenary were the coolest and most epic characters in this anime. The rest are nothing special and just exist for the 2 warriors to show off their awesomeness. The kid got on my nerves as he felt like a spoiled brat. Quite weird for someone who was being raised in a temple. The character development was smooth and soon enough all the main characters became likable. I even grew attached to the dog. However, the supporting characters to the leads were still lacking and were simply there to hack meat and then be meat themselves.
Enjoyment: 10
Despite the criticisms, I can tell you that they are all minor things that wont stop you from enjoying this anime. I considered marking it off to a 9 due to the kid getting on my nerves in the beginning but he redeemed himself by the end and I was glued to my seat throughout the whole show. Absolutely EPIC anime.
Overall: Minor issues hold this anime back from perfection but its still probably the best action anime movie available. Watch it, you wont be disappointed.
