Synopsis
Most people know about MIYAMOTO Musashi. Few know the truth about him. Indeed, the countless texts that describe him are so steeped in serious errors and contradictions that he has become more of a mythological character than a historical figure. The real Musashi has disappeared beneath a thick veil of embellishment, exaggeration, and intentional abbreviation. Musashi is an ambitious documentary purporting to remove the veil obscuring Musashi and reveal his true self. Made by Production IG with writer OSHII Mamoru and director NISHIKUBO Mizuho, this engrossing film employs an unconventional format: 2D animation, actual footage, and 3D characters combine to create a unique atmosphere. Evidence from real life is shown through actual footage. Scenes from Musashi’s life are rendered in 2D animation. The characters that carry the narrative along are modeled in 3D. But this formal hodgepodge is calibrated finely enough that it doesn’t come across as chaotic. The only cause for regret is the relatively inferior appearance (apparently by intention) of the 3D characters in comparison to the excellent 2D animation. (HUH Ji Woong)