You are here:

Ballad

Name: Ballad
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Released: 2009
Duration: 132 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

2009

Director

Takashi Yamazaki

Runtime

132 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Ballad operates as a conventional period drama that follows established genre clichés. While it offers a moment of progressive empowerment through its female lead's rejection of a forced marriage, the film remains rooted in traditional storytelling structures. The narrative lacks complexity in representing multiple aspects of identity, focusing instead on a central romantic conflict and historical spectacle. It does not attempt to challenge social hierarchies or provide representation for underrepresented groups. Ultimately, the film's representation aligns with its historical setting and genre, emphasizing emotional resonance over critical social commentary.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Ballad have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a romantic conflict between a general and a princess. There is no indication of non-straight or non-cisgender identities, sticking to traditional heterosexual and cisgender structures.

How does Ballad portray gender?

Fair

Princess Ren plays a significant role by rejecting an arranged marriage, breaking away from passive female roles. However, the resolution still depends heavily on male-driven actions and political strategies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Ballad?

Fair

The production is ethnically uniform, reflecting its historical Japanese setting. While it avoids whitewashing, it does not offer a multi-ethnic cast or diverse racial viewpoints.

How does Ballad represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story examines the tension between personal desires and political duties. It functions as a traditional romantic epic without critiquing specific institutions or ideologies.

Does Ballad include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not include any characters dealing with physical, sensory, or neurodivergent conditions.

Present on Screen

Princess Ren plays a significant role by rejecting a patriarchal arranged marriage.
The film provides a strong, character-driven catalyst for the central conflict.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight and non-cisgender identities.
The resolution remains tied to traditional male-driven political and physical action.
The cast and setting lack multi-ethnic or diverse racial perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Based on the plot of an award-winning Crayon Shin-chan animated movie from 2002, a boy named Shinichi (Takei) does the time-traveling and meets a feared general named Ijiri Matabei (Kusanagi). Ijiri is in love with Princess Ren (Aragaki) who subsequently rejects an arranged marriage to Okura Itakatora (Osawa), a powerful daimyo of northern Kanto. Enraged by the rejection, Okura sends a large army to Ijiri's smaller state and it's up to Shinichi to change their destiny.

How are these scores produced? →