Adapted from the successful play, the film takes place in 19th-century Japan, where a war between demons and their slayers is fought. Izumo, a kabuki actor with a demon-slaying past, meets and falls in love with Tsubaki. However, something is not right, as mysterious marks appear on her body as time progresses. At the same time, it is announced that Ashura, the queen of all demons, will be resurrected and bring destruction to the universe.
Production
Lavish kabuki-inspired sets and demon designs
Costume
Rie Miyazawa's transformative wardrobe
Practical Effects
Grotesque demon makeup and creature effects
Director
Yojiro Takita
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Yojiro Takita later won the Oscar for Departures (2008), making this his wild commercial phase.
The original 1987 stage play was infamous for its flying wirework — Takita expanded every demon battle to match that spectacle.
JP
