Is Hakuouki: Wild Dance of Kyoto Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2013)

📖 The Core Premise

Hakuouki: Wild Dance of Kyoto returns to the screen in 2013, bringing a fresh narrative to the Action, Animation, Drama, Romance genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "There's a war going on in ancient Kyoto. A war fought in shadows, between the forces of the Shogunate's armed enforcers, the Shinsengumi, and the vampire-like Ronin warriors known as the Rasetsu or Furies. And trapped in the middle is a young woman disguised as a man. Seeking her missing father, Chizuru Yukimura comes to Kyoto only to find her fate forever intertwined with the destinies of Shinsengumi Vice commander Toshizo Hijikata and his elite force of swordsmen. Because Chizuru's father has created a secret elixir that enhances the user's strength, speed and healing, and the furies will do anything and kill anyone in order to control that power!"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Houko Kuwashima does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Hakuouki: Wild Dance of Kyoto worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Animation, Drama, Romance films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Hakuouki: Wild Dance of Kyoto is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 95 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.