Watch Azumi

Azumi is a 2003 Japanese action thriller film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and starring Aya Ueto as the titular character. Based on the manga series of the same name by Yu Koyama, the movie follows Azumi, a young female assassin who is trained along with a group of other youths under a master named Gessai to fight against corrupt warlords during the Sengoku era of Japan.

The movie opens with a scene of a bloody battlefield where a young girl, Azumi, watches as her parents are brutally murdered in front of her. A man named Jiji appears and takes her away, raising her and training her to become an assassin. Years later, Azumi is part of a group of orphaned children who are being trained in the same way so that they can help Jiji carry out his mission of killing warlords who threaten the country's peace.

The main conflict of the story arises when Jiji orders Azumi and her comrades to kill three warlords who have banded together to overthrow the current shogun. The warlords are Lord Sanada (Masatō Ibu), Lord Kato (Naoto Takenaka), and Lord Nankobo Tenkai (Yoshio Harada). Azumi and her five comrades - Nachi, Ukiha, Hyuga, Amagi, and Nagara - are given the task of assassinating these three warlords.

While the group embarks on their mission, they encounter various obstacles and enemies along the way. At one point, they come across a troupe of bandits who are terrorizing a village. Although they hesitate at first, the group eventually decides to help the villagers and fight against the bandits. This decision leads to a confrontation with a skilled warrior named Bijomaru Mogami (Joe Odagiri), who is one of the warlords' top generals.

Throughout their journey, the group's bonds are tested, and relationships develop between various members - particularly between Azumi and Nagara. The movie is an action-packed adventure that is filled with stunning fight scenes and impressive choreography. The use of slow-motion shots and intense music adds to the overall excitement of the movie.

The character of Azumi is particularly fascinating, as she is portrayed as a skilled warrior who is also very empathetic and caring towards her comrades. Despite her fearsome reputation, Azumi has a strong sense of justice and is always willing to help those in need.

Overall, Azumi is an entertaining and well-crafted action movie that is a must-watch for fans of the genre. The film's engaging story, excellent cast, and stunning action sequences make it a standout in the world of Japanese cinema.