Sword of the Stranger (ストレンヂア 無皇刃譚) is a 2007 Japanese animated - adventure film produced by Bones and released by Shochiku. It depicts Kotaro, a young orphan hunted by Ming swordsmen, who receives unexpected protection from Nanashi, a troubled.
The film was commissioned in 2005, directed by Masahiro Andō and written by Fumihiko Takayama. It features the voices of Tomoya Nagase and Yuri Chinen, with animation direction by Megumi Endô, character design by Atsushi Morikawa, and its orchestral score composed by Naoki Satō.
Sword of the Stranger was theatrically released in Japan on September 29, 2007, and began a limited release in the United States on February 5, 2008. It received positive critical reception, with praise for the animation, action sequences, and music. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and was Japan's submission for Best Animated Feature at the 81st Academy Awards.
Plot
The story begins during the Sengoku period with a young boy named Kotaro, who escapes unknown pursuers with his dog Tobimaru, and is directed by the monk Shouan to seek help from Master Zekkai at the Mangaku Temple in the Akaike Province. Meanwhile, a group of Ming Chinese warriors under the command of the elderly master Bai-Luan is being escorted by soldiers of Lord Akaike who has agreed to allow the Ming to build a large altar on his land in exchange for gold.