Samurai Cinema Reignites with Muromachi Burai (2025) – A Gritty Epic of Rebellion and Honor
Japan’s turbulent Muromachi era comes roaring to life in Muromachi Burai (2025), a bold new historical action drama from acclaimed director Yu Irie. Released in Japan in early 2025 and now making waves internationally, the film blends hard-hitting action, historical depth, and cutting-edge visual techniques to tell the story of a forgotten samurai uprising.
Set in 1461 Kyoto, just before the outbreak of the Ōnin War, Muromachi Burai follows Hyoe Hasuda (played by the commanding Yô Ōizumi), a disillusioned ronin who leads a band of rogue warriors in defiance of a corrupt shogunate. The story explores themes of loyalty, resistance, and the fight for dignity during one of the most chaotic periods in Japanese history.
The film boasts a powerful supporting cast, including Shinichi Tsutsumi as Dōken—Hasuda’s former friend turned nemesis—and rising star Kento Nagao as Saizō, a young staff fighter with a tragic past. Action fans will be impressed by a groundbreaking “one-cut” fight sequence using volumetric video technology, creating a seamless 360-degree battlefield experience.
With cinematography by Ryô Ohtsuka and a stirring score from Yoshihiro Ike, Muromachi Burai marries the aesthetics of classic jidaigeki with modern cinematic flair. Critics have praised its gritty realism and emotional gravitas, with early screenings drawing comparisons to Kurosawa’s Ran and Miike’s 13 Assassins.
Following its Japanese box office run and a strong debut at the New York Asian Film Festival (July 2025), the film continues its international rollout, with physical and digital releases scheduled across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Muromachi Burai
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Stars: Yo Oizumi, Kento Nagao, Wakana Matsumoto, Yuya Endo, Tomoya Maeno
- Release Date: 2025
- Country: Japan
- Runtime: 135 mins
Muromachi Burai is more than a samurai tale—it’s a timely story of resistance and forgotten voices, told with unflinching style and brutal honesty.