Nobunaga Concerto: The Movie (2016)

I will try my best to review this without any spoilers!

The story picks up where the drama left off, with the real Nobunaga Oda/ Mitsuhide plotting to kill Saburo with Tokichiro. You could theoretically watch this without seeing the drama and still pick up the story, but I wouldn't suggest it as it could get confusing. Seeing Saburo's character development was a highlight. Watching him run into battles with ease, when at first he would have run away was really nice. His and Kicho's relationship was also beautiful and heartbreaking. Oguri Shun and Shibasaki Kou have such good chemistry, even though the words are never said, you really believe they love each-other.

The acting was as brilliant as it was in the drama. I found myself crying on multiple occasions. Oguri Shun wowed me playing two characters so well, and Yamada Takayuki was amazing in THAT scene at honnoj (If you've watched it, you know the one I mean!). His anguish was so obvious, but not in the classic overacted way Japanese movies so often give us with villains.

Visually the Nobunaga Concerto Movie is amazing. The budget must have been high because the sets, costumes, and effects were all sublime and beautiful. The music was the same soundtrack from the drama, I have no real opinion on it.

Overall, I would probably watch this film again, but not anytime soon as its pretty heavy.

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