Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970
Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment
Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski
Daiei's fantasy film THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN (透明剣士, Tōmei Kenshi, 1970) will be released in June in a limited edition Blu-ray from Arrow Films.
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970
Mysterious sprites, eery supernatural goings on and heroic sword-fighting action abound in this mystical tale of vengeance and adventure from the makers of the Zatoichi, Daimajin and Yokai Monsters films.
In Edo-era Japan, Sanshiro diligently hones his sword-fighting technique at the kendo dojo, but no amount of practice can hide the fact that he is both clumsy and cowardly. When his samurai father falls prey to a gang of murderous phantom thieves while on night watch duties, Sanshiro is drawn to the banks of the Sanzu River that separates the worlds of the living and the dead. Here he encounters a strange being that introduces itself as a Shokera. The otherworldly apparition offers advice on how Sanshiro can avenge his father with the aid of a mysterious potion with the power to turn him invisible. But first Sanshiro must gather the ingredients, and his father’s killers might be closer to home than he thinks.
Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda (YOKAI MONSTERS: SPOOK WARFARE, LONE WOLF AND CUB: WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL) and beautifully shot by Hiroshi Imai (ZATOICHI AND THE DOOMED MAN, THE HAUNTED PALACE), THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN boasts the sumptuous attention to its historical setting, costume design, fight choreography and period details that Daiei Kyoto were renowned for, all with an added dose of rip-roaring fantasy and adventure. Arrow Films is proud to release this unseen gem in a brand new high-definition transfer for the very first time for the home video market outside of Japan.
THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN Limited Edition Blu-ray
Running Time: 78 Minutes
Number of Discs: 1
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970
US
Region Code: 0
SKU: AV644
UPC: 760137175810
Street Date: 06/24/2025
List Price: $39.95
UK
Region Code: A/B
Barcode: 5027035027548
UK Rating: PG
Street Date: 06/23/2025
RRP: £24.99
Bonus Materials
- High-Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
- Original lossless Japanese mono audio
- Optional newly translated English subtitles
- Brand new audio commentary from author and Asian culture expert Jonathan Clements
- The Invisible People, a brand new interview with film critic Kim Newman on the history of invisibility in cinema
- Phantom Fighter, a brand new interview with film critic and Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jolyon Yates
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Zack Davisson
About Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a leading independent entertainment distribution company, established in 1991. Operating in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, United States of America and Canada, Arrow Films is dedicated to supporting upcoming and established filmmakers of dynamic new cinema and developing an enviable slate of quality films that enjoy a lasting legacy across its award-winning branded labels, channels, and platforms.
About MVD Entertainment Group
MVD Entertainment Group is a full service music and movie distribution firm, exclusively representing thousands of audio and visual products for DVD, Bluray, CD, vinyl, and digital rights, worldwide. MVD also exclusively distributes a growing line of merchandise including limited edition collectibles, tee shirts, and more. “Serving Artists and Audiences†is MVD's purpose statement; it represents a commitment to the interests of the musicians, filmmakers, record labels, producers, managers, and every link in the supply chain. The customers are the Audience, from wholesalers, sub-distributors, major retail chains, online retailers, specialists, and independent mom and pop stores, all the way to the consumer. MVD Entertainment Group was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran with prior experience with The Record Hunter, Sam Goody, CBS Retail, and JEM Distribution. Tom, along with his family Elinor, Eve and Ed, initially focused on music videotapes. At the turn of the century, with the advent of DVD, MVD built a large catalog of exclusively distributed audiovisual content on DVDs, with special strength in music concert films, horror movies, documentaries, comedy, cult classics, and much more.