A Japanese and Chinese Major

A screenshot from "Namakura Katana"

The title of the “oldest” anime goes to Junichi Kouchi’s (幸内純一) Namakura Katana, which roughly translates to “A Fine Sword”.

The film is a comedy, and revolves around a samurai warrior who was deceived into purchasing a dull-bladed sword.  He tries to fight people as they pass by to test his new prize, but the lower-class villagers revolt against him and knock him down.

The silent anime was created in 1917 and lasts only two minutes long.

Samurais and katakanas? The Japanese definitely knew the direction this medium would take.

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