This series is a reinvisioning of the 1954 Akira Kurosawa film. The basic story is the same -villagers plagued by rice-thieving ex-Samurai turned bandits hire Samurai from the city to defend their village paying them nothing but rice. This version takes place in a post-war future that mixes machines with some old-world environs in a beautifully animated ensemble that conducts values of noble Samurai versus the corruption of the merchant class with the peasants caught in between just trying to stay alive with some dignity.
The series has a few advantages over the movie in that the extra time it takes to plot out episodes lets you see a more vibrant interaction and development of the characters. The "steam punk" elements may seem to trounce the realism and action Kurosawa included in his original film, but I believe the updated imagery helps convey Kurosawa's story to 21st century audiences. And if you still doubt that, Kurosawa's film in 1954 is considered one of the earliest true "action" films with elements still used to this day. 'Samurai 7' may or may not be a trend-setter, but its imagery, music, and plot do Kurosawa's story great justice.
The series has a few advantages over the movie in that the extra time it takes to plot out episodes lets you see a more vibrant interaction and development of the characters. The "steam punk" elements may seem to trounce the realism and action Kurosawa included in his original film, but I believe the updated imagery helps convey Kurosawa's story to 21st century audiences. And if you still doubt that, Kurosawa's film in 1954 is considered one of the earliest true "action" films with elements still used to this day. 'Samurai 7' may or may not be a trend-setter, but its imagery, music, and plot do Kurosawa's story great justice.