Fresh and Exciting

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is an amazing piece of Animation. The colors, music, storyline and effects were on the top of their tier. This movie reshaped the way I look at animation and encouraged me to search for more pieces like it. This is personally the greatest Samurai focused animation that I've seen.Although the story sounds a bit 'out there' it still hits all the right notes. The connection that the characters have with one another is astonishing, this movie literally compels you to feel sympathy, hate, love and longing for the characters!I sincerely hope that you watch this movie for it is an under deserved masterpiece!

I found this jewel by pure luck. I'm a bit shocked that it's not mentioned more! The plot is maybe not the most amazing one, but the directing overcomes it. The music and the animation are delightful, the combat scenes are just so epic that you shouldn't miss it! The land, people and the whole atmosphere gives you a view of what should have been samurais in their times. I like this more realistic view than what the common animation shows serve nowadays. I did put a 9 and not a 10 just because I personally think they could have worked a bit more on the plot and could have developed the last minutes a bit more.... maybe because I didn't't wish it to end so fast! If you do like animations like "Samurai Shamploo", you should go for "Sword of the Stranger".

If you are a fan of action anime and ninjas/ sword fighting this is definitely worth watching. I feel like its been quite sometime since I've watched any good anime, so I was happy I ran across this. While nothing is amazing, everything is solid. Plot isn't really new (wandering reluctant hero type ends up saving someone in need)and the drawing isn't very new age, rather reminisce of old school animes, BUT - like I said, everything is the classic formula for a good anime. I've seen ppl liken this to Ninja Scroll, and in that vein I would agree. If you liked that you should like this.and if anyone has some suggestions of some good anime movies like this (solid action/ drawing/ decent plot etc) I'd love to hear em and I could probably give a couple good suggestions too.

I watched this movie last night with my dad and we both loved it. I'm 27 and he happens to be in his 50's. I expect everyone younger, older and in between will love it as well.I'm sure you can imagine what an anime title like "The Sword of the Stranger" might hold in store for you. A young boy named Kotaru and his faithful companion Tobimaru. A deadly swordsman with blue eyes. A hungry samurai with a troubled past. The Sword of the Stranger doesn't re-invent the wheel but it is more than the sum of it's parts. All in all: If you enjoy anime watch it. You can also expect to hear a great score.