YMMV / When the Last Sword Is Drawn

• Alternative Character Interpretation: Near the end of the film, when Yoshimura returned home, his lord ordered him to commit seppuku. Though knowing Yoshimura, the lord also attempted to feed him and gave him his sword, and not the usual tanto associated with seppuku. Yoshimura's lord actually wanted him to escape but had to save face after Yoshimura disobeyed him. After Yoshimura's death, his lord took up arms against the Meiji government and died fighting.
• Retroactive Recognition:
  • Koichi Sato is cast here as Saito Hajime, the stern but ultimately honorable Shinsengumi captain. About 2 years later, he would play Serizawa Kamo, the uncouth and dishonorable first commander of the Shinsengumi, in the 2004 NHK taiga drama Shinsengumi!
  • Masato Sakai plays Okita Soji in this film. In the same taiga drama above, he would later portray Yamanami Keisuke, the Lieutenant Commander of the Shinsengumi who Okita is forced to aid in his seppuku.

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