Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005)

The assassins that survived the explosive bloodbath of the first film's finale set out to bring an end to the one remaining Lord, because while civil war is still a possibility their mission objective is incomplete.
It’s still colourful but besides the occasional ridiculous villain (and the web fight) the majority of the action is less comic-booky. Some will say it’s also less eventful because of that, but the shift to a more sedate and personal journey was to my liking, meaning I preferred it over the first film.
Aya Ueto appears to be more comfortable with the role as Azumi and certainly more confident in her swordswomanship.

3½ last words out of 5