I also met Melisa before I saw Akira
Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress, and when Princess Yuki made her
appearance, I immediately recognized her. It was Melisa herself, with
the same dangerous spark in her eye, the same royal bearing, the same
energy. (And, I was to find out later, the same red shorts.) Yuki,
played by Misa Uehara, has no love interest in the movie, and frankly
needs none, because she kicks ass all over the place. Thankfully,
Melisa wants me around, even though I’m not as strong nor as silent
as the great Toshiro Mifune, who plays the Princess’ main general
and bodyguard.
