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Sakamoto Ryōma
Movie

Sakamoto Ryōma

1928 • Unknown

Woke Score
1
out of 10

Plot

Ryôma Sakamoto unites the Choshu and Satsuma clans and paves the way for the Meiji Restoration.

Overall Series Review

Sakamoto Ryōma (1928) is a historical silent film celebrating a pivotal moment in Japanese nation-building: the Meiji Restoration. The plot centers on the political and diplomatic genius of Ryōma Sakamoto as he unites two great rival clans to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and restore power to the Emperor. The narrative is a straightforward heroic tale of a visionary statesman working for national renewal and the establishment of a modern, constitutional state. The film frames Sakamoto as an icon of freedom and democracy, embodying the ideals of the 1920s Taishō-Shōwa transition period. Its focus is on the moral and political strength required for a nation to modernize and remain independent.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The narrative is entirely concerned with the protagonist's political skills and moral conviction, focusing on character merit rather than any immutable characteristics. Sakamoto, a low-ranking samurai who becomes a major national hero, embodies a spirit of meritocracy, rising through his actions and ideals. All casting is historically and culturally appropriate, making the modern concept of 'race-swapping' or forced diversity irrelevant.

Oikophobia1/10

The entire purpose of the story is the heroic preservation and renewal of the Japanese nation and culture. The film celebrates the country's transition from feudalism to a modern constitutional state, portraying it as a necessary and righteous act of national salvation. The protagonist's actions are driven by a profound loyalty to the Imperial Court and a vision for a stronger, independent Japan capable of competing on the world stage.

Feminism1/10

The plot focuses on the intense, high-stakes political struggle and military strategy led by men of the samurai class. The film is devoid of 'Girl Boss' or 'Mary Sue' tropes because the core action is centered on traditional, complementary male roles of leadership, diplomacy, and protective warrior mentality. Masculinity is depicted as a vital and necessary force for nation-building.

LGBTQ+1/10

The film is a historical drama rooted in the political and social dynamics of 19th-century Japan. The story adheres to a normative structure, where male-female pairings and the traditional family unit are the unquestioned social standard. There is no attempt to center alternative sexual identities, deconstruct the family, or introduce modern gender theory.

Anti-Theism1/10

The conflict is explicitly political: the overthrow of the Shogunate to 'restore' the Emperor, a figure with a central, sacred place in the Shinto faith. The foundational morality of the Meiji Restoration is treated as an objective truth, guided by the principles of Bushidō and loyalty. The film finds its moral strength in the transcendent, inherited structures of Japanese tradition and national aspiration.