Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection backdrop
Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection poster
Official Collection
Series Freshness: Feb 06, 2026

Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection

Edo, the capital of Japan, has degenerated into a tangled web of political intrigue and personal vice. Nemuri Kyoshiro, the half-breed son of a Japanese noblewoman raped by a Christian missionary, lives only for the moment amused by the chaos that surrounds him. But those who decide to use him for their own ends soon discover that they have made a fatal error! Kyoshiro wields the fabled Musou-Masamune blade and is master of the most subtle and deadly technique in all of swordplay, the Full Moon Cut.

14Movies
★ 6.5 Avg Rating

Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis

The Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 6 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 14 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.

The "Series" Benchmark: 5.8/10

The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 5.8. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.

Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal

Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.

Timeline & Watch Order

We recommend watching the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.

1
Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade

Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade

1963★ 5.2AVERAGE

Nemuri Kyoshiro, a youthful and cynical ronin with unparalleled skill, is approached by both sides in a game of corruption, ambition, and double crosses. The le...

2
Sleepy Eyes of Death 2: Sword of Adventure

Sleepy Eyes of Death 2: Sword of Adventure

1964★ 5.4AVERAGE

Wandering samurai Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) finds a bulls-eye on his back after befriending the shogunate's tightfisted financial adviser, Asahina, who's...

3
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing

Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing

1964★ 6.0ABOVE AVERAGE

A decapitation at the hands of the shogun's monstrous misbegotten son kicks off the action and draws nomadic Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) into more sword-fi...

4
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

1964★ 5.5ABOVE AVERAGE

A fugitive christian "saint" (female, of course!) and a sadistic drug-addled princess both have their eye on Kyoshiro. The fact that a bunch of ruthless smuggle...

5
Sleepy Eyes of Death 5: Sword of Fire

Sleepy Eyes of Death 5: Sword of Fire

1965★ 6.2ABOVE AVERAGE

Fifth film in the series. When Kyoshiro, in a moment of weakness, saves the life of a woman being attacked on the road, he quickly finds himself entangled in a...

6
Sleepy Eyes of Death 6: Sword of Satan

Sleepy Eyes of Death 6: Sword of Satan

1965★ 6.2ABOVE AVERAGE

Sixth film in the series. A little boy who just wants to be a carpenter is at the center of a plot that might topple -- or save -- a mighty Clan, and while the...

7
Sleepy Eyes of Death 7: The Mask of the Princess

Sleepy Eyes of Death 7: The Mask of the Princess

1966★ 6.3ABOVE AVERAGE

The masked daughter of the Shogun wants to kill a samurai who has seen her scarred face. She sends waves of ninja warriors to kill the samurai and plots diabol...

8
Sleepy Eyes of Death 8: Sword of Villainy

Sleepy Eyes of Death 8: Sword of Villainy

1966★ 5.8ABOVE AVERAGE

Nemuri Kyoshiro discovers a conspiracy centering around a band of disgruntled samurai wanting to avenge the death of their sensei, a political reformer that pus...

9
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps

Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps

1967★ 6.0ABOVE AVERAGE

The Son of the Black Mass returns in this ninth installment in Daiei's longstanding Nemuri Kyoshiro series. This time Raizo Ichikawa as Nemuri is called to see ...

10
Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman

Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman

1968★ 6.5HIT

Two devious retainers are competing to take control of a fief when the current Lord dies, but involving Kyoshiro in the conflict against his will is the textboo...

11
Sleepy Eyes of Death 11: In the Spider's Lair

Sleepy Eyes of Death 11: In the Spider's Lair

1968★ 6.4ABOVE AVERAGE

The titular "tarantula" is a murderous woman who, along with the brother who is in love with her, kill without warrant because they are wealthy & above the law....

12
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

1969★ 4.9AVERAGE

Just when you think Kyoshiro's life can't get any stranger, someone starts running around raping and murdering, and leaving notes proudly proclaiming that he di...

13
Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman

Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman

1969★ 5.6ABOVE AVERAGE

Inspector General Kanjuro Sano conspires with the future shogun twin brother. They replace Ieyoshi Tokugawa with his twin, but it becomes a problem when suspici...

14
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay

Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay

1969★ 4.7AVERAGE

Getting an opportunity to meet with another half-Caucasian swordsman, Kyoshiro finds himself involved in a series of dangerous encounters....

Common Questions about Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection

How many movies are in the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection?

There are currently 14 movies in the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection, starting from Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade to the latest release, Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay.

What is the best order to watch the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection?

The best way to watch the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection is usually in release order: starting with Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade and ending with Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.

Which is the highest-rated movie in the Sleepy Eyes of Death Collection?

According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman in this franchise.