A Boy and His Samurai is a perfect example of how to blend comedy, drama and emotions all into one mixture of a delicious cake. This film has a rare and unique quality that captures the audience attention from the beginning to the very end. In the midst of the film, it also have the ability to make you laugh, cry a little and finishes off with a bittersweet smile. In essence this is a movie made for kids, but also an enjoyable film for adults to watch together. This is the kind of movie that Ninja Kids!!! fails to be and should have been. Putting in a Samurai of the 1800s Edo period into modern day Tokyo is a smart idea, but full credit must go to the entire likeable cast of Ryo Nishikido, Rie Tomosaka and Fuku Suzuki. In particular Fuku Suzuki steals the show with steady child cuteness and the trio (Nishikido and Tomosaka) plays off each other with chemistry and fun. All in all, A Boy and His Samurai is one of those films that allows the audience to enjoy the experience, laugh together, carefree, light-hearted and engages the audience at an emotional level. It is a rare quality and the pacing is much faster than most Japanese movies. In doing so, A Boy and His Samurai is fast becoming a contender as the most enjoyable movie at the 15th Japanese Film Festival. A must see.

Neo rates it 8.5/10.