I'm mostly torn about this movie because there are things I really liked about it (the cinematography, the sparse atmosphere, Meiko Kaji, the ending) but things I really disliked (the story, every other actor in the film). Overall a certainly weak followup to the first, but worth watching for some fun moments. Like Yuki with a shotgun.

This was a disappointment after seeing the first film. I admire the melancholy atmosphere to a certain extent; Shurayuki seems to have grown weary of the never-ending cycle of vengeance and even looks like she's aged significantly since the first movie (made the previous year). But the plot and most of the fight scenes seem completely uninspired and I don't think the political subtext was well thought-out.

Haha, this one's actually political.

This sequel is much less interesting than the original film. Yuki gets mixed up a political scheme that ends up with everyone dead, but it's got no shortage of swordplay, and fans of Meiko Kaji will want to check it out.