You are here:
The Cherry Bushido

The Cherry Bushido

2022

PG-13

Director

Hiroshi Akabane

Runtime

125 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Shizuka, a college student, is recruited by a group named the "Japan Salvation Conference" for a mission. She and her pals leave their astral bodies and head for the spirit world to face the Great Demon of Hades that aims to destroy Japan.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.1/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film offers no visible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-cisnormative identities. There is no evidence of queer romantic arcs or identity-driven storytelling.

Gender Representation

Fair

Shizuka serves as a central, action-oriented protagonist. By placing a female college student in a leadership role to save a nation, the film avoids relegating women to passive roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The story is set within a Japanese cultural context focused on national protection. However, the narrative does not explicitly detail the intersectional makeup of the supporting cast.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The plot utilizes traditionalist motifs centered on patriotism and collective preservation. The 'Japan Salvation Conference' suggests a framework aligned with traditional institutional and national values.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no indication of neurodivergent characters or individuals with physical or sensory disabilities within the provided narrative context.

Strengths

  • The film provides meaningful agency to its female protagonist, Shizuka, placing her in a central leadership role.
  • The narrative disrupts traditional gender hierarchies by making a woman the primary agent in a high-stakes mission.

Areas for Improvement

  • The story lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisnormative characters.
  • There is no visible inclusion of characters with physical or sensory disabilities.
  • The narrative focuses on traditionalist motifs rather than exploring intersectional or diverse social perspectives.

AI Analysis

The film centers on a high-concept fantasy mission where college students use astral projection to defend Japan from a mythological threat. While it provides strong agency to its female lead, the narrative architecture remains rooted in traditional themes of duty and national preservation. The story follows a conventional heroism model. It prioritizes a centralized mission of spiritual warfare and patriotism rather than exploring complex, intersectional identities or subverting established social hierarchies. Ultimately, the work functions as a traditional adventure. It lacks the diverse character representation or social critique necessary to move beyond a standard framework of national defense and metaphysical combat.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.