A Samurai in Time(Japanese: 侍タイムスリッパー, Hepburn: Samurai Taimu Surippā) is a 2024 Japanese fantasy comedy film directed by Jun'ichi Yasuda. it is a low-budget independent film produced for 26 million yen. Initially, it was shown in only one theater, but it gained popularity through word-of-mouth and expanded to more theaters. The media called it a "surprise hit reminiscent of One Cut of the Dead (2017)."

Plot

Kosaka Shinzaemon, an Aizu samurai lived in Edo era, was struck by lightning and inexplicably transported to 2007 Japan. He found work as a kirareyaku (a stunt performer specializing in being 'cut down' in jidaigeki) and became successful. Then, to his surprise, he received a major role offer from movie star Kyoichiro Kazami.

Cast

  • Makiya Yamaguchi as Kosaka Shinzaemon, a samurai of the Aizu Domain
  • Norimasa Fuke as Kyoichiro Kazami, a movie star. His real name is Yamagata Hikokuro Ken Shonozaki as young Yamagata Hikokuro, a samurai of the Chōshū Domain
  • Yuno Sakura as Yuko Yamamoto, an assistant director
  • Rantaro Mine as Sekimoto, a sword fighting instructor
  • Tsutomu Tamura as Kyotaro Nishiki, a star actor of Jidaiigeki
  • Yoshiharu Fukuda as the chief priest
  • Manko Kurenai as Setsuko
  • Hajime Inoue as Inoue, a studio director
  • Akinori Ando as Ando, an actor

Production

Director Jun'ichi Yasuda poured his own personal fortune into the production of this film. Yuno Sakura, who appears in the film as an assistant director, also served as the actual assistant director. Makiya Yamaguchi, who played the lead role, is an actor with a long career, but this was his first time starring in a film. Seizo Fukumoto was initially cast for the role of Sekimoto, but due to his passing, Rantaro Mine, Fukumoto's junior, was cast instead.

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
37th Nikkan Sports Film AwardsBest FilmA Samurai in TimeWon
Yūjirō Ishihara AwardNominated
Best DirectorJun'ichi YasudaWon
Best ActorMakiya YamaguchiWon
67th Blue Ribbon AwardsBest FilmA Samurai in TimeWon
Best DirectorJun'ichi YasudaNominated
Best ActorMakiya YamaguchiWon
48th Japan Academy Film PrizeBest FilmA Samurai in TimeWon
Best DirectorJun'ichi YasudaNominated
Best ScreenplayNominated
Best Film EditingWon
Best CinematographyNominated
Best ActorMakiya YamaguchiNominated
Best Lighting DirectionKin'ya Doi, Hiroshi Hano and Jun'ichi YasudaNominated

External links