Swords, Spirits, and a Surprisingly Earnest Hero’s Journey

Read Time:4 Minute, 47 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Invisible Swordsman (Tomei kenshi)
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Year Released: 1970, Arrow Video Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 18m
Director(s): Yoshiyuki Kuroda
Writer(s): Tetsurô Yoshida
Cast: Hachirô Oka, Yasushi Yokoyama, Kiyoshi Nishikawa
Where to Watch: available June 24, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Released in 1970 and now making its Blu-ray debut courtesy of Arrow Video, THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN is a fantasy-tinged action film with a traditional revenge arc and a dash of the supernatural. While the title may suggest something a little zany or offbeat, what’s here is a far more sincere samurai adventure than you'd expect—more spiritual fable with occasional playful touches.

The story follows young Sanshiro, a timid and somewhat unskilled swordsman whose father is mysteriously killed while on guard duty. When the murder is revealed to involve ghostly thieves, Sanshiro finds himself drawn to the banks of the mythical Sanzu River, believed to divide the living and the dead. There, he meets a Shokera, a spectral figure who sets him on a path toward vengeance, aided by a potion that grants him the power of invisibility.

Yes, invisibility. And no, it's not just a slapstick gimmick (although it works for it.) While a few moments lean into the fun of objects floating or villains swinging at thin air, invisibility is framed as a spiritual tool. It empowers Sanshiro and symbolically marks his growth, not turning him into a prankster. That subtle approach helps ground the film, even when the visual effects show their age.

What shines here is the atmosphere. Director Yoshiyuki Kuroda—who also helmed entries in the YOKAI MONSTERS series—brings an aesthetic eye to the period setting. From fog-drenched riversides to candlelit interiors, THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN looks far more lavish than you would expect; it’s almost hypnotic at times. Cinematographer Hiroshi Imai (known for work on ZATOICHI films) delivers some genuinely striking compositions, even when the story's pacing lags.

And yes, it does lag. At just 78 minutes, the film still finds time to meander. Some sequences feel stretched out, while others—the most emotionally impactful—fly by too quickly. Sanshiro’s evolution from frightened novice to focused warrior never lands with impact because the script never builds the necessary emotional foundation. We get the sense of transformation, but not the depth.

Still, Hachirô Oka brings an earnestness to Sanshiro that’s hard not to root for. He’s not a swaggering hero, but a sensitive one—driven by grief, then tempered by duty. The supporting cast (Yasushi Yokoyama and Kiyoshi Nishikawa among them) adds texture to the narrative, even if their characters don’t get much development. It would have been interesting to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Arrow Video’s limited edition Blu-ray does the film justice. The new high-definition transfer looks crisp without losing the film’s original charm. Audio is presented in its original Japanese mono track, and the subtitles are newly translated. Bonus content includes a thoughtful commentary by Asian cinema expert Jonathan Clements and insightful interviews from critics Kim Newman and Jasper Sharp. Their contributions help frame the film’s place within the broader genre of invisible-man tales and Japanese folklore cinema.

There’s also a collector’s booklet with writing by Zack Davisson, reversible sleeve art, and a photo gallery—exactly the kind of extras that reward genre fans and collectors. It’s a release built with appreciation for the film, even if the movie itself might be an acquired taste. The collectors know this is a must-own, giving the film a perfect home on any shelf.

THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN isn’t a hidden masterpiece but a unique blend of historical drama, fantasy action, and mythological undertones. While it occasionally plays its premise for laughs, it does not attempt to overwhelm with spectacle. Instead, it quietly builds a small world where grief, spirits, and swordplay intersect. The result is a film that feels more meditative than melodramatic and more adventurous than absurd.

It may not win over everyone, but it's a welcome addition to the genre for fans of Daiei’s more offbeat output—or viewers curious about samurai cinema with a mystical edge. And now, thanks to Arrow, it finally gets the attention it never quite received outside Japan.

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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