Blu-ray release: 'G.I. Samurai'

Arrow Video will release the 1979 Japanese sci-fi action film ‘G.I. Samurai’ (戦国自衛隊) on US Blu-ray on May 5, 2026.

Directed by Kosei Saito, the film focuses on a group of soldiers transported to feudal Japan who must survive attacks from rival samurai clans as tensions rise within their ranks. The cast includes Sonny Chiba, Isao Natsuyagi, Jun Eto, Ryo Hayami, and Koji Nakayasu.

Synopsis: During a routine military exercise, modern-day soldiers led by Second Lieutenant Iba (Chiba) find themselves transported back in time four hundred years to war-torn feudal Japan. Facing attack by samurai warriors from rival clans, frictions rapidly emerge among these modern-day soldiers, whisked from a time of peace, freed from the strictures of a higher authority, and stranded in one of the bloodiest and most decisive periods in Japan’s history.

Features:

High-definition Blu-ray presentation (1080p)
Original Japanese mono and 4.0 stereo surround audio (lossless), plus remixed 5.1 surround audio
Optional newly translated English subtitles
Two viewing options via seamless branching: the original Japanese version or the uncut English-language version (Time Slip) with lossless English mono audio
Brand new audio commentary by Samm Deighan and Tom Mes
The Good Fight – introduction by Mark Schilling
Acting in Self Defence – featurette with Matt Alt
Back in Time – discussion with Masaaki Nomura and Tatsuya Masuto
Cast and crew interviews (2005) with Sonny Chiba, Isao Natsuyagi, Hiromitsu Suzuki, Kamayatsu Monsieur, Jun Eto and Isao Kuraishi
Original theatrical trailers
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
Collector’s booklet with new writing by Josh Slater-Williams