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For anyone who hasn't seen the first four films, never fear. This episode begins with quite a long recap. But beware ! Some of the recap misrepresents the story. But no matter. Episode 5 is pretty good in fact nearly as good as the first ep.
All the familiar characters are still there. Otsu (MM's great love), Akemi, Matahachi (his former fellow soldier), old lady Osugi (still doggedly trying to defeat MM), and even the return of Priest Takuan (the man responsible for MM's journey towards enlightenment). But most of all, the boastful, long-haired and long-sworded Kojiro Sasaki. Most of the final ep builds up to MM's battle with KS. However, the highlights for me were Takuan's brief appearances (this guy is just so likeable !) and another love scene between Otsu and MM. Curiously, there is also quite a lot of humour in this one. For instance, the scenes featuring the horse traders, who initially try to oppose MM but soon become his faithful followers, are simply hilarious.
I found the final battle with KS to be quite a letdown, particularly as it was to be the climax of the series.
But, again, no matter, this is still well worth watching either as part of the series or on its own.

Abstract Vector #3

Even less action than the previous episode, but more watchable. Quite a lot of plot and story development instead of action, which paradoxically makes the story more involved and patchy. Again, Musashi's potentially greatest opponent Kojiro jumps in and out of the story at the oddest and most coincidental moments. Musashi's great love Otsu has succumbed to madness, but she actually gets a love scene with him near the end. Yes indeed, like many Japanese men, MM is awkward at expressing love for women, and is far more comfortable expressing love for the young boy who idolizes and follows him. However, in an anguished short scene, MM confesses his love for Otsu, who then asks to be regarded as his wife. MM then sets off to beat the functionaries of a treacherous clan in an arranged duel. 73 against one. Boastful Kojiro watches, secure in the knowledge that only he is a worthy opponent.
I found this episode quite rewarding, though I think this is only because I was able to watch the whole series basically back to back.
A word about the fight scenes. The fights in this ep are pretty odd. They consist mostly of MM slashing people once then running away, especially in the final scene. Doesn't look very heroic to me!

Cool Summer

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