Brave: Gunjō Senki (ブレイブ ‐群青戦記‐ Bureibu Gunjō Senki) is a 2021 Japanese live-action film based on the “Gunjō Senki” manga series by Masaki Kasahara. It was released in Japanese cinemas on March 21st, 2021.
Nishino Aoi (Mackenyu Arata) is a reclusive member of the Japanese archery club at his prestigious sports high school known for their students' athletic prowess. His childhood friend Seno Haruka (Hirona Yamazaki) is also a member of the archery club, who worries about Aoi and his lack of drive. One day, thunder strikes the school grounds, and the students are transported back in time to the Sengoku period in Japan (year of 1560) and meet major warlords of the era - Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa. Many samurai descend on the school grounds and attack, taking hostages. Making things worse, they realize that they are in the time right before the historically significant Battle of Okehazama takes place. Using their physical abilities as sports athletes and the knowledge of the future, they struggle to survive through the cataclysmic situation while finding a way to return to the present.
This film was Hamura Miura's last film role before his death in July 2020.
Previews: Trailer
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Brave: Gunjō Senki contains examples of:
- Anyone Can Die: Kota of the main trio dies in the first half of the film, while many significant characters die in the latter half.
- Big Bad: Fuwa, who is trying to use Nobunaga and Hideyoshi to change history.
- Big Damn Heroes:
- Kota saves Aoi and Haruka when they are surrounded in the first attack.
- Haruka manages to distract Fuwa before he deals a killng blow to Aoi.
- Big Guy Fatality Syndrome: Kota dies in the first battle after the school is transported to Sengoku.
- Bow and Sword in Accord: Aoi uses his bow until he's out of arrows, then switches to his wooden kendo stick.
- Bittersweet Ending: While the high school students successfully return to the present, many perished and Aoi chooses not to return in order to keep history as it is, while Haruka returns to the future.
- The Cavalry: When Aoi is surrounded and the students seem to be overwhelmed with numbers at the third bailey, Tokugawa Ieyasu arrives with his men.
- Character Development: Aoi goes from a shy, uncompetitive boy to a confident, assured leader.
- Cowardly Lion: At first, Aoi decides not to participate in the attack on Marune Fort.
- Emergency Weapon: Explosive-packed American footballs and baseballs along with fire extinguishers and other creative weapons are seen in the film.
- Evil Wears Black: Fuwa is dressed in all-black samurai armour, replete with black feathers on his helmet.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: Aoi goes from having bangs that sweeps over his forehead to a sidepart with fluffy bangs after Kota's death and Tokugawa Ieyasu's speech to him.
- Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: Haruka slaps Aoi after he is unable to shoot during the attack on the school.
- Grave-Marking Scene: Aoi grieves in front of Kota's grave after the ambush.
- Heroic Resolve: Aoi recalls what his friends tell him and manages to kill Fuwa.
- Heroic Sacrifice: There are many in the film. Sagara Ren dies protecting Naruuse Yuta from a fatal blow. Tokugawa Ieyasu takes a fatal bullet meant for Aoi. Kurokawa Toshiaki dies protecting Suzuki Asami. Tetsuo, an injured member of the football team sacrifices himself, taking multiple arrows to hold off the enemy.
- I Choose to Stay: Aoi decides to stay in the Sengoku period and take Tokugawa Ieyasu's place in order to keep history as it is.
- Kidnapped by the Call: The whole school is transported back to the Sengoku period, and Haruka suggests this is because Fuwa went back to change the course of history.
- Last Words: There are many due to the number of deaths in the film.Kota: Save...Haruka.
Sagara Ren: I'll go on ahead...bangs idiot.Tokugawa Ieyasu: I'll leave the rest to you, Aoi. - Rousing Speech: Kota gives one to the students after the attack, and Aoi receives one from Tokugawa Ieyasu after Kota's death.
- Manly Tears: Aoi sheds more than a few when grieving Kota, however Tokugawa Ieyasu notes that this is a sign of a better future where one life is precious enough to be mourned so greatly. Many other characters also experience this due to the death of their comrades.
- Meaningful Echo:
- Samurai: The film is about high school students transported to the Sengoku era which is replete with samurai.
- Set Right What Once Went Wrong: Haruka suggests the school was transported to Sengoku due to Fuwa's attempts to interfere with history,
- Skyward Scream: Aoi lets one out after Kota is stabbed to death and Haruka is captured in an ambush.
- Take Up My Sword: After he is fatally shot, Tokugawa Ieyasu passes his katana to Aoi.
* Taking the Bullet: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes one for Aoi.
- The Mentor: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes a shine to Aoi.
- Tragic Keepsake: [[Sagara Ren's karate belt]] is kept by Naruuse Yuta and [[Kurokawa Toshiaki's boxing glove]] is taken by Suzuki Asami after their respective deaths. Haruka's handkerchief turned bandage also functions as this as [[Aoi decides to stay in the Sengoku era, knowing they will never meet again]].
- Trapped in Another World: The high school students are transported to the Sengoku era and have to find a way to transport themselves back.
- Two Guys and a Girl: Aoi, Kota, and Haruka are childhood friends.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Naruuse Yuta of the fencing club and Sagara Ren of the karate club.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Kota, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Haruka tell this to Aoi at varying points of the film. It eventually sticks.
- What Beautiful Eyes!: Tokugawa Ieyasu and Fuwa both compliment Aoi's eyes.Fuwa: Nice eyes.
