TACFEST 2024 Review: KIGURUMI BLADE: Brawls, Bullets and Cosplay
A mysterious evil organization goes after a junior high school student, luckily for him, he finds the protection of a young mysterious girl who is well trained in the art of violence and hides her identity under a bulletproof kigurumi costume (term used for costumes of animal characters in Japan.)
Beneath this a priori simple plot lies a much more complex story that goes evolving until unfold the real motives under the chase of the main characters. A story that takes place in a motley film universe inhabited by a bunch of peculiar characters that are driven by the only way to communicate that they know, the language of violence.
Shingo Soejima from a script wrtten by himself alongside Kunihiko Okamoto, directs this intriguing action film filled with violence and brutal fight scenes under the action direction of Akira Ogiwara. Bringing a gripping action story to the screen that make its way through gunshots, punches and kicks into the audience forcing them to take their attention off their phone screens leading them to an open ending that hints with a possible sequel (fingers crossed that they can make it happen)
A story in which Harumi Kasamatsu on the lead as “Moo”, the mysterious cosplay assasin, fills the screen shining with her own light, packing the screen with her talent and charisma, very well supported by Koshin Nakazawa in the role of fragile junior high school student that needs to be protected.
However, as low point I have to mention that the uninspired soundtrack comes short on bringing the required excitement in some of the most thrilling action moments, but overall, The final result of this small production is quite remarkable and satisfactory and I wish them much success.
This film will be competing for the Quixote awards among many other international productions in the upcoming TOLEDO ACTION FEST and EXPO that will be held in the city of Illescas (Toledo, Spain) from May 15 to 17, 2024.