Plot: Liu Bei is a simple farmer, disgusted by his government's actions. Revolutionaries want him to join, but Liu is worried about his aging mother. She tells him that it's his destiny to become a great warrior, so he teams up with some other men and starts rising through the ranks as the conflict grows.
Watches
May 18, 2025
The first of three epic animated films. There's also a US recut that's about 20 minutes shorter, it's best to avoid that one at all costs. The film is an adaptation of a famous classic Chinese novel, which means the plot is quite elaborate and there are a ton of characters, so make sure you sit comfortably.
The animation is solid, the build-up of the story is adequate, the characters are fun, and the scale of the film is impressive. It's easy to see why this has a cult following, but the 2+ hour runtime was a bit of a challenge. There are two more films to wade through, though I think it's best to spread them out a little. Still, if you like Chinese epics and anime, this is an easy recommendation.