I finished watching this yesterday in IMAX, and I'm going for a second rewatch in the upcoming week with IMAX again. The sequencing and martial arts choreography between three wushu champions is insane, within the first twenty-five minutes. That's why all three wound up with dozens of minor injuries during filming, but this can only be done with such martial arts veterans while completely old-school.
The second episode of 'Kitakata Kenzo: Suikoden' airs tonight!
For those who are confused and ask about the video games, 'Gensō Suikoden' (which translates literally into 'Fantasy Water Margin') is a series of RPGs loosely based on the Chinese classic "Water Margin", created by the late Murayama Yoshitaka for Konami.
The video games have nothing to do with the drama in this article, save for the fact that the drama adaption is based on a literary reinterpretation of the Chinese classic "Water Margin" by the renowned novelist Kitakata Kenzo. If you want to know more about the literary work of Kitakata-Sensei which this drama adaptation is based on, consider reading at least one of the 19 volumes of his version of 'Suikoden' or at least read the original "Water Margin"!
No one has written a review for this drama on MDL yet, so you are encouraged to watch and write your own on the drama page! Please kindly subscribe to Lemino or WOWOW to enjoy!
If you want more information than this News article which was published in advance of the airing of the drama, please peruse other Japanese articles or sources for more information. I heartily recommend the official drama website and their official x.com page, and related articles by natalie.mu.
You can always rewatch it. Second time around is even better. There are so many Easter eggs (especially if you…
I have this theory that the Easter eggs may have very upsetting for a certain minor subset of viewers in WoF (diehard CP fans hoping for an obvious heterosexual romance between a specific hoped-for pairing that never materialised, as the lack of romance tags for this drama indicates).
These viewers are definitely a minority, but they make the most noise before the drama aired and after a certain episode in WoF aired just because the producers... Decided to focus on the ML as the main screenplay focus and render drama-Tang Lici emotionally self-sufficient, being heroism-focused, and hence drama-Tang Lici experienced a significantly better journey and happier ending than novel-Tang Lici.
It had been bewildering to me, to see viewers on this drama page react as if Tang Lici is completely worse-off as a person and not a decent character for not having a romance. I believe an ML in a much-better position of emotional health and living a fulfilling life was just what this drama needed, while showcasing a variety of friendships and interactions to tell a bold story that has never been done before. Heck, it was a better rendition than what was in the novel for Tang Lici. I'm happy for Tang Lici living to understand fulfilment, reaching his full potential, and second chances!
And the stats bear me out correctly on the subject. At a time when longform dramas are generally not doing as well as hoped for, WoF is a monster hit domestically and also internationally, because of smartly honouring specific traditions and history through an intriguing innovative modern approach.
Wow! I don't remember seeing this visual but then again, I haven't been on xhs for Bao Shang'en, and she looks great here! Reminds me of the novel where Bao Shang'en is described by Teng Ping as being more beautiful than A-Shui!
You're welcome! This article would not have happened, until you raised the necessary for my consideration.The…
Itō Kentarō should appear in episode 2 (unless I got him mixed up with another character). Episode 1 moves very rapidly and really gave me chills in a fantastic way, to see the powerhouse cast in action for their portrayals. This should have been at least 40 episodes instead of just 7!
Finally got to the lsst episode. They are really stabbing us in the heart.I don't want it to end 😭 😭
You can always rewatch it. Second time around is even better. There are so many Easter eggs (especially if you are aware of "Immortality") that anyone who's been hoping for "皓衣行" will see many shout-outs 😁😁😁
Definitely watching this in the cinema in the upcoming week!
"就是想要拍最纯粹的武侠," says Yuen Woo-ping. He states that he has gathered four generations of wuxia artists to produce the purest wuxia possible. This is set in the Western Regions. Our 八爷 is the first generation, which the likes of Wu Jing and all other martial arts veterans acknowledge as the ultimate authority in the cinema world of martial arts and hence, Wu Jing also speaks of five generations of wuxia talents creating and enabling this movie.
"那时江湖非常凶险," Yuen Woo-ping continues. The (pugilistic) world was very dangerous at that time.
Yu Shi, who has the role of Shu, continues about the wuxia approach of this movie ie "武侠的一种真实的状态", followed by Chen Lijun, Ci Sha, Wu Jing and other cast members talking about the wuxia spirit and world settings of this movie.
"想讲一种武侠自由的世界," is Wu Jing's approach of wanting to convey a pugilistic world showcasing the utmost freedom of wuxia. He listens to Yuen Woo-ping on this.
Nicholas Tse continues with, "我一直都觉得武侠是中国电影的优势-" I mean, this is literally the movie that Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing reckon will be the purest wuxia possible. Who doesn't want to see Jet Li fighting Wu Jing and Zhang Jin? There's no fancy special effects, no excessive filters, and the likes of Zhang Jin easily executing mid-air side flips while hurling one of his 蝴蝶双刀 due to his excellent control of spatial awareness, fantastic core muscles, and decades of wushu finesse. One look at the initial trailer more than three weeks ago, and Zhang Jin's moves are apparent to old-school wuxia fans about the real deal for this movie.
In 1.51 out of 3:47 of the BTS, wuxia has been mentioned so many times that only an idiot would say this movie has nothing to do with wuxia.
Anyone who knows mandarin or wuxia also knows Jin Yong's martial arts novels are synonymous with wuxia, regardless of what movie is produced by anyone.
There's a troll on this page who has showcased how moronic they are in multiple spam comments trashing this movie and being racist about chinese people, before I wrote my article about this movie. They aggressively reply to MDL users who are eager to see this movie, and also insulted wuxia fans of all ages. The best part is where they need some kind of AI to learn about wuxia but still get it all wrong 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
They should stick to romance, instead of trolling MDL Chinese drama and movie pages while continuously perpetuating their racism against Chinese people. That account behaves as if they want to drive MDL users off this page. Maybe they hate the MDL website. Bullying, spamming, harassment-
It is an epic retelling of it (as in an actual literary epic): 19 volumes averaging 350 pages each (depending…
I shared the official MV for the entire theme song by MISIA as the latest comment. Given the distributor network is WOWOW, Viki might be a better bet than Netflix.
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It is an old-school wuxia movie, in so many ways. The official trailer is awesome and nothing to do with Hollywood. Here's my article for this movie, way before it aired: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17
https://x.com/Yakamashiwa/status/2025110208998244785
Well, we will have to wait to find out. Episode 2 airs tonight!
Here is one of the locations when filming 'Kitakata Kenzo: Suikoden' -
https://x.com/worldheritage_H/status/2025470102955823430
"The Temple of Eternal Joy" ie Chōraku-ji in the Hyōgo prefecture, featuring three of the largest Buddhas in wood.
At this point, I want more screentime for her, but this drama is only 7 episodes!
For those who are confused and ask about the video games, 'Gensō Suikoden' (which translates literally into 'Fantasy Water Margin') is a series of RPGs loosely based on the Chinese classic "Water Margin", created by the late Murayama Yoshitaka for Konami.
The video games have nothing to do with the drama in this article, save for the fact that the drama adaption is based on a literary reinterpretation of the Chinese classic "Water Margin" by the renowned novelist Kitakata Kenzo. If you want to know more about the literary work of Kitakata-Sensei which this drama adaptation is based on, consider reading at least one of the 19 volumes of his version of 'Suikoden' or at least read the original "Water Margin"!
No one has written a review for this drama on MDL yet, so you are encouraged to watch and write your own on the drama page! Please kindly subscribe to Lemino or WOWOW to enjoy!
If you want more information than this News article which was published in advance of the airing of the drama, please peruse other Japanese articles or sources for more information. I heartily recommend the official drama website and their official x.com page, and related articles by natalie.mu.
These viewers are definitely a minority, but they make the most noise before the drama aired and after a certain episode in WoF aired just because the producers... Decided to focus on the ML as the main screenplay focus and render drama-Tang Lici emotionally self-sufficient, being heroism-focused, and hence drama-Tang Lici experienced a significantly better journey and happier ending than novel-Tang Lici.
It had been bewildering to me, to see viewers on this drama page react as if Tang Lici is completely worse-off as a person and not a decent character for not having a romance. I believe an ML in a much-better position of emotional health and living a fulfilling life was just what this drama needed, while showcasing a variety of friendships and interactions to tell a bold story that has never been done before. Heck, it was a better rendition than what was in the novel for Tang Lici. I'm happy for Tang Lici living to understand fulfilment, reaching his full potential, and second chances!
And the stats bear me out correctly on the subject. At a time when longform dramas are generally not doing as well as hoped for, WoF is a monster hit domestically and also internationally, because of smartly honouring specific traditions and history through an intriguing innovative modern approach.
I'll add two small oranges too!
For those who want to see Luo Yunxi's beauti“福” calligraphy skills at the CCTV Spring Gala 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYqOHegcito
And here he is, singing with Tan Songyun for CCTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPG6epqnl5Y
(If you want to see the entire CCTV performance that the segment of Luo Yunxi with Tan Songyun is from, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5EbxsGecsI )
Otter Studios wasn't subtle about this.
"就是想要拍最纯粹的武侠," says Yuen Woo-ping. He states that he has gathered four generations of wuxia artists to produce the purest wuxia possible. This is set in the Western Regions. Our 八爷 is the first generation, which the likes of Wu Jing and all other martial arts veterans acknowledge as the ultimate authority in the cinema world of martial arts and hence, Wu Jing also speaks of five generations of wuxia talents creating and enabling this movie.
"那时江湖非常凶险," Yuen Woo-ping continues. The (pugilistic) world was very dangerous at that time.
Yu Shi, who has the role of Shu, continues about the wuxia approach of this movie ie "武侠的一种真实的状态", followed by Chen Lijun, Ci Sha, Wu Jing and other cast members talking about the wuxia spirit and world settings of this movie.
"想讲一种武侠自由的世界," is Wu Jing's approach of wanting to convey a pugilistic world showcasing the utmost freedom of wuxia. He listens to Yuen Woo-ping on this.
Nicholas Tse continues with, "我一直都觉得武侠是中国电影的优势-" I mean, this is literally the movie that Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing reckon will be the purest wuxia possible. Who doesn't want to see Jet Li fighting Wu Jing and Zhang Jin? There's no fancy special effects, no excessive filters, and the likes of Zhang Jin easily executing mid-air side flips while hurling one of his 蝴蝶双刀 due to his excellent control of spatial awareness, fantastic core muscles, and decades of wushu finesse. One look at the initial trailer more than three weeks ago, and Zhang Jin's moves are apparent to old-school wuxia fans about the real deal for this movie.
In 1.51 out of 3:47 of the BTS, wuxia has been mentioned so many times that only an idiot would say this movie has nothing to do with wuxia.
Anyone who knows mandarin or wuxia also knows Jin Yong's martial arts novels are synonymous with wuxia, regardless of what movie is produced by anyone.
There's a troll on this page who has showcased how moronic they are in multiple spam comments trashing this movie and being racist about chinese people, before I wrote my article about this movie. They aggressively reply to MDL users who are eager to see this movie, and also insulted wuxia fans of all ages. The best part is where they need some kind of AI to learn about wuxia but still get it all wrong 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
They should stick to romance, instead of trolling MDL Chinese drama and movie pages while continuously perpetuating their racism against Chinese people. That account behaves as if they want to drive MDL users off this page. Maybe they hate the MDL website. Bullying, spamming, harassment-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR0ODqYZBT8
You are really getting into the elements of zingers for WOF!