Honestly, sequel culture is a weird beast. When Universal 1440 Entertainment announced they were making a follow-up to the 2013 Keanu Reeves vehicle 47 Ronin, the internet collectively scratched its head. The original was a notorious box office bomb, a sprawling, $175 million epic that didn't exactly scream "franchise starter." But then Blade of the 47 Ronin dropped on Netflix and digital platforms, and it wasn't at all what people expected. It wasn't a period piece. Keanu wasn't there. Instead, we got a cyberpunk-adjacent, modern-day martial arts flick that feels more like John Wick met an anime than a traditional samurai story.
It’s easy to dismiss it. Don’t.
If you go into this looking for historical accuracy regarding the Edo-period legend of the Asano clan, you’re going to be frustrated. This movie isn't trying to be a history lesson. It’s a genre-bending experiment. Set 300 years after the events of the first film, the story moves the action to modern-day Budapest. The Ronin still exist, but they operate in the shadows of high-tech boardrooms and neon-lit alleys. They’re basically a secret society now, struggling to survive in a world that has largely forgotten the bushido code.
Why the shift to modern day actually works
The biggest hurdle for Blade of the 47 Ronin was the "why." Why make this? Director Ron Yuan, who most people recognize as a veteran martial artist and actor (he was Sgt. Qiao in the live-action Mulan), clearly had a specific vision. He wanted to highlight the "Onna-musha"—the female warriors of Japanese history—who are often sidelined in Western samurai media.
Anna Akana plays Luna, a streetwise character who discovers she’s a descendant of the 47 Ronin. She’s the heart of the movie. It’s a classic "chosen one" trope, sure, but Akana brings a frantic, modern energy to it that balances out the more stoic performances of Teresa Ting and Mike Moh. Moh, who played Bruce Lee in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is particularly sharp here. The guy can actually fight, and it shows. Unlike the first movie, which leaned heavily on massive CGI creatures and $20 million dragon sequences, this film relies on tighter, more visceral choreography.
You can tell the budget was a fraction of the original's. That’s not a secret. But sometimes, constraints breed better action.
The plot revolves around a meeting of the five Samurai Clans. They’re trying to unite, but there’s a faction that wants to use a mystical blade—the titular Blade of the 47 Ronin—to wipe out all "half-bloods" and "outsiders." It’s a bit on the nose with its themes of purity versus inclusion, especially considering the 2013 film was criticized for inserting a white protagonist into a Japanese legend. This sequel feels like a direct response to that criticism. It’s about who gets to claim a legacy.
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The technical side of the blade
Let's talk about the swords. In the world of this film, the blades aren't just cold steel. They have a supernatural element that ties back to the Tengu (the bird-like demons from the first movie). The visual effects for the "magic" bits are hit or miss. Sometimes the glowing runes on the steel look cool; other times, it feels a bit like a high-end PlayStation 5 cinematic.
But the stunt work? That’s where the movie punches above its weight.
Because Ron Yuan is a fight coordinator at heart, the camera doesn't cut every half-second. You can see the transitions. You can see the footwork. There’s a specific scene involving a multi-attacker ambush in a narrow hallway that feels very much like a tribute to the "Raid" style of filmmaking. It’s gritty. It’s messy. It’s fun.
What most people get wrong about the "Ronin" brand
There’s a common misconception that anything with "47 Ronin" in the title needs to be a somber, 18th-century tragedy. The original Chūshingura story is a cornerstone of Japanese culture. It’s about loyalty, ritual suicide (seppuku), and the end of an era.
Blade of the 47 Ronin tosses the somber tone out the window.
It treats the title more like a superhero mantle. Think of it like Batman Beyond. It asks: "What does this ancient code look like when everyone has a cell phone and a submachine gun?" Some fans of the original legend find this disrespectful. Honestly? I get it. But as a piece of popcorn entertainment, it’s refreshing to see a sequel that takes a massive, weird swing instead of just retreading the same ground. It acknowledges the 2013 film—specifically the "Kai" character played by Reeves—but it doesn't let that baggage weigh it down.
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Key differences between the 2013 film and the 2022 sequel
You have to look at these two movies as entirely different genres.
- Setting: 1700s Ako, Japan vs. Modern Budapest.
- Protagonist: A "half-breed" outcast (Keanu Reeves) vs. a modern American girl discovering her lineage (Anna Akana).
- Tone: High-fantasy tragedy vs. Cyberpunk action-thriller.
- Villains: Supernatural shape-shifters vs. a rogue samurai faction and corporate-style ninjas.
The script, co-written by Aimee Garcia (who you might know from Lucifer) and AJ Mendez (former WWE star AJ Lee), leans into the absurdity. There are jokes. There’s banter. It doesn't take itself nearly as seriously as the Keanu version, which was bogged down by its own self-importance and a troubled production history.
Is it worth the watch?
If you like the Mortal Kombat (2021) vibe or the Wu Assassins series on Netflix, you’ll probably dig this. It’s a "B-movie" in the best sense of the word. It knows exactly what it is. It’s not trying to win an Oscar. It’s trying to show you cool sword fights in a neon-lit nightclub.
One thing that stands out is the representation. Seeing an Asian-led cast in a Western-produced action movie that isn't strictly about "the struggle" or "immigrant stories" is great. They’re just warriors. They just happen to be Japanese. It’s normalized in a way that feels modern and earned. Dustin Nguyen (of 21 Jump Street fame) also shows up, and he’s always a welcome presence, bringing a bit of gravitas to the "Wise Master" trope.
The movie does struggle with its pacing in the middle act. There’s a lot of exposition about the "prophecy" and the "bloodlines" that can feel a bit sluggish. You might find yourself wanting them to stop talking and start swinging swords again. But once the finale kicks in, it delivers.
Actionable insights for fans and filmmakers
If you're looking to dive into this corner of the "Ronin-verse," or if you're a creator looking at how to reboot a "dead" IP, there are a few things to take away from the Blade of the 47 Ronin strategy:
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1. Don't be afraid to change genres.
If a property failed as a historical epic, maybe it works as a sci-fi thriller. Audiences are more forgiving of "weird" than they are of "boring."
2. Focus on the stunt team.
When the budget is lower, the choreography has to be better. Hiring a director with a background in stunts (like Yuan, or the John Wick guys) is the most efficient way to get "prestige" action on a budget.
3. Respect the lore, but don't be a slave to it.
The movie keeps the themes of honor and sacrifice but updates the aesthetics. It honors the 47 Ronin by making their sacrifice a legend that still inspires people 300 years later.
4. Watch the original Chūshingura stories first.
To really appreciate what this movie is subverting, watch the 1962 Chūshingura or even the 1941 Mizoguchi version. Knowing the "pure" story makes the "punk" version in Blade of the 47 Ronin much more interesting.
Ultimately, the movie is a testament to the idea that no IP is ever truly gone. It’s a gritty, colorful, slightly chaotic reimagining that manages to be more fun than its predecessor by simply embracing the weirdness of its own existence. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun if you’re in the right headspace.
To get the most out of the experience, watch it on a screen with good contrast—the neon-heavy color palette of Budapest at night is easily the best part of the cinematography. If you're a martial arts nerd, pay close attention to the weapon transitions during the final tower climb; the blend of traditional katana work with modern tactical movements is surprisingly well-researched.
How to watch and what to look for next
- Stream it: The film is primarily available on Netflix in most regions, or for digital purchase on platforms like Vudu and Amazon.
- Compare: Watch the 2013 47 Ronin immediately before or after. The tonal whiplash is fascinating from a film study perspective.
- Follow the talent: Keep an eye on Ron Yuan’s future directing projects. His ability to stage clear, impactful action with limited resources is something the industry needs more of right now.
The legacy of the 47 Ronin isn't just about one event in 1703; it's about how we keep those stories alive. This film chooses to do it with neon, magic, and a lot of flying kicks. It’s a bold choice, and for the right audience, it’s the perfect one.