Critic Reviews

The main characters charm their way into each other's hearts and the audience's with speed-run efficiency thanks to a stellar cast who rapidly prove themselves adept with Song of the Samurai's tonal shifts between dry comedy, somber earnestness, and tragic conviction.

Song of the Samurai doesn't give its characters much time to drone on about Japanese politics. The first episode, at least, is dedicated almost entirely to one-on-one battles.