Meiko Kaji is the incarnation of the wrath of Shura!
Lady Snowblood is the quintessential revenge tale, replete with a robust atmosphere and compelling storytelling. Amidst the tumultuous background of the Meiji era, a band of criminals capitalizes on the chaos, perpetrating heinous acts by abducting and violating a woman shortly after murdering her husband. Consumed by an insatiable thirst for vengeance, she gives birth to a harbinger of vengeance – Yuki – born in a prison cell, inheriting her mother’s desire for justice. Her sole mission: to exact revenge upon the perpetrators who shattered her mother’s life.
The film commences with the birth of Yuki, and suddenly there is a timeskip. Our demon has already started her hunt. An innocent, ghostlike figure with a purple umbrella walks through the snow, the only contrast being the color of her umbrella. Her countenance betrays neither sympathy nor animosity, as if resigned to an inevitable fate. However, it is not an all-fun-bloodbath action movie. We see not only aimless violence, but also her moral decisions.
With each target she encounters, Yuki delves deeper into the recesses of her own psyche, unraveling new dimensions of her being before she confronts them. Every individual she locates bears the scars of their own transformation since the incident. Each encounter serves as a narrative tapestry, with tales to evoke her sympathy or disdain. Each step she takes unveils fresh insights into her subsequent quarry. Each target, a breadcrumb leading her further down the path of bloodshed, until the final reckoning. Is she to emerge as the gallant hero, steadfast in her pursuit of justice, or does she risk succumbing to the insatiable hunger of the demon within, forever unsatisfied no matter the toll of the corpses left in her wake?
Amidst the maelstrom of vendetta, a pivotal figure emerges: Ryûrei, a journalist whose presence in Yuki’s life signifies more than mere happenstance. He becomes her beacon of redemption, illuminating a path toward reclaiming her humanity amidst the tumultuous vortex of vengeance. Yuki frequently reminisces about her master and the newfound acquaintances who speak to her with empathy. However, with each action she undertakes, fresh adversaries emerge. Even a daughter of a self-pardoned man, now seeks retribution akin to Yuki’s own pursuit—a haunting mirror image, a harbinger of her eventual demise.
Lady Snowblood stands as a exquisitely crafted cinematic masterpiece, extending a captivating invitation to its audience into a world entirely its own. As viewers journey alongside Yuki, they find themselves growing in tandem with her character, gaining profound insights and understanding in harmony with her unfolding narrative. The meticulous use of blood, owed in part to Akira Kurosawa‘s “Sanjuro,” imbues the film with a hauntingly perfect allure. Lady Snowblood is chiefly recognized for its significant impact on Quentin Tarantino, notably inspiring the creation of the O-Ren Ishii arc in Kill Bill. This film reflects Tarantino’s appreciation for visually striking scenery, further establishing its enduring significance in the realm of cinema.
The film is available for streaming with English subtitles:
Lady Snowblood (Prime Video) or on: HBO MAX
FOR COLLECTORS
ANIMEIGO 2004 DVD release for the first film only, with English subtitles, is still available:
Lady Snowblood (1973, ANIMEIGO DVD)
However collectors will prefer the Criterion release for the whole series with a new digital restoration and extras released in 2016 both as DVD and Blu-ray:
The Complete Lady Snowblood (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
Lady Snowblood Manga
The first volume of the Manga series by Kazuo Koike that the film is based on can be found here:
Lady Snowblood. Volume 1: The deep-seated grudge
Manga artist Kazuo Koike is also the creator of popular Lone Wolf and Cub series.
