[alex_loudermilk]

I haven't seen the last samurai but I am pretty sure that it has been "over romanticized". It's a film and so fights have to look super cool, super action and super dramatic. For example in a not choreographed fight you wouldn't turn around that mutch because you can't be sure that your opponent waits until you finished, he would rather just cut your neck. Or what about saltos, they look great but you wouldn't do a salto with a sword.

And in kendo, we have some rules that make the fight "less hollywood": For example the targets are restricted. Or you do lots of straight big swings and not just wave around. And you use a certain stance.
And it's sort of another mentality: In kendo, you don't want to hurt someone. Of course, during the fight you want to win, but there is some ettiquette like bowing and it's not about hurting seriously. And after the fight you shake hands, laugh together or whatever. So you aren't enemies, you are training partners part-time opponents.

So yes, kendo is more like the videos on youtube. When you watch for example the all japan kendo championship it gives you an idea of how kendo looks on a very high level.

For me, kendo is what exhaustes me, but what makes me smile.
What I like best is the focus you have: It's just you, your body, your sword, and your training partner. No unnecessairy thougts like: "ooh dentist tomorrow. or still some homework to do." or what ever

Training is based on lots of repetition. A lot of the time you will just do big, straight swings, learn how to walk, stick with the basics. But with time passing you learn more difficult things like kirikaeshi (think of it as a hitting exercise with a partner, a fixed form to do and you can work out athousand things here: perfect timing, perfect footwork, perfect breathing, speed and so on) and after a certain time (variing from one month to more than one year) you will get into armour, that's when you can start actually fighting.
It might sound a little repetitiv, but I wasn't into bogu (armour) for one year and I hardly ever thougt that training was boring, because there is so mutch to correct, to learn and to practice.

And also people are very friendly, funny and interesting.

But in addition to what I said, and what others will say, only you can find out if you like hitting people with bamboo sticks So go for it! Try it. Most of the clubs will have cheap beginners courses or will make you join the normal classes, but with special instruction.

I hope you enjoy it!