The Great Yokai War

is a 2005 Japanese fantasy film directed by Takashi Miike, produced by Kadokawa Pictures and distributed by Shochiku. The film stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Chiaki Kuriyama, and Mai Takahashi.

The film focuses largely on creatures from Japanese mythology known as ''yōkai'' (妖怪, variously translated as "apparition", "goblin", "ghoul", "spirit", or "monster"), which came to prominence during the Edo period with the works of Toriyama Sekien. It also draws inspiration from Aramata Hiroshi's ''Teito Monogatari'', with the novel's antagonist Katō Yasunori appearing as the main antagonist in the film.

The film is considered a loose remake of the 1968 film '' Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare'', but also draws influence from Shigeru Mizuki's ''GeGeGe no Kitarō'' manga series of the same name. All three are retellings of the famous Japanese tale of Momotarō, which features the title character driving a group of demons away from Kikaigashima with the help of native animals. While these previous adaptations have been read mostly as nationalist narratives, with the native ''yōkai'' driving out invading forces, ''The Great Yōkai War'' has been read instead for the clash between Japan's traditional landscape and its modern culture. This is largely due to the film's use of ''kikai'' (機械, lit. "machine monsters"), created by Katō fusing the ''yōkai'' with machines, and the absence of invading Western or otherwise foreign forces.

Mizuki, whose work is considered an important part of ''yōkai'' discourse and culture due to his contributions in pop culture and academic study, acted as an advisor for the film and even made an appearance as the Great Elder Yōkai. The cameo is not only a nod to Mizuki's status as a ''yōkai'' expert, but his closing words also resonate closely with the theme of his manga of the same name. Similarly, his role as a peace-keeper is one referenced throughout his work, and is born of his own experiences from real war.

''The Great Yokai War'' was theatrically released in Japan on August 6, 2005, and grossed ¥2 billion. In 2006, the film was released internationally by Tokyo Shock. A sequel, was released in Japan on August 13, 2021.

Plot

A young boy named Tadashi Ino moves to a small town after his parents' divorce. At a local festival, he is chosen to be that year's Kirin Rider, referring to the legendary Chinese chimera, the Qilin: a protector of all things good. He soon discovers that his new title is quite literal, as a nefarious spirit named Yasunori Katō appears. Katō - a demon whose mystical powers are born of his rage at the annihilation of Japan's local tribes - desires vengeance against the modern Japanese for their actions against the ''yōkai''. To carry out his revenge, Katō allies himself with a ''yōkai'' named Agi, summoning a fiery spirit called Yomotsumono: a creature composed of the resentment carried by the multitudinous things mankind has discarded. Katō feeds ''yokai'' into Yomotsumono's flames, fusing them with the numerous discarded tools and items to form ''kikai''. These ''kikai'' - under Katō's control - capture other ''yōkai'' to build their numbers while killing humans. One such ''yokai'', a '' sunekosuri'' escapes and befriends Tadashi who attempts to obtain the Daitenguken from the mountain as a right of passage for the role of Kirin Rider.

Scared by the tales told of the mountain, Tadashi falters upon his arrival at the mountain and tries to flee. However, tricked by the sea spirit Shōjō, who picked Tadashi out, he manages to overcome a test to prove his worth. Accompanied by Shōjō, Kawahime, and Kawatarō, Tadashi makes his way to the Daitengu who gives him the sword before being taken away by the ''kikai''. In spite of Tadashi's attempts, the sword is broken as Agi takes the ''sunekosuri'' as her captive before the boy is knocked unconscious.

When Tadashi comes to his senses, he finds himself among ''yōkai'' as they discuss how to fix the sword; they ultimately decide to request the aid of the blacksmith Ippondatara. Upon learning that Ippondatara was also captured, General Nurarihyon and his group leave. Kawataro restrains an ittan-momen, praising the bumbling Azukiarai, unaware that he only remained behind due to his foot getting numb.

When Katō's industrial fortress takes flight towards Tokyo, Tadashi and company pursue it. They arrive shortly after the fortress ingests Tokyo's Shinjuku Capital Building, finding Ippondatara who reforges the sword. Ippondatara refuses to talk about how he escaped, ashamed that the ''sunekosuri'' took his place in becoming a ''kikai''. Donning new attire, Tadashi and company go into battle. They are greatly outnumbered until they receive unlikely aid from thousands of ''yōkai'' who believe they are coming to a party; their festival brawl with the ''kikai'' allows Tadashi and Kawahime to enter the fortress safely, followed by a ''yōkai''-obsessed reporter named Sata whom Kawahime saved in the past.

Tadashi is forced to slay the ''kikai'' that the ''sunekosuri'' became, restoring it to its original form yet leaving it gravely injured. In a rage, Tadashi battles Agi before she is called back by Katō to begin the final phase by joining with Yomotsumono. Despite Tadashi's attempts, Katō outmatches him. Kawahime attempts to protect the boy, stating that while she hates humans due to them abandoning her, she has no desire for revenge as she considers it a human emotion. Unfazed, Katō takes the two out as Azukiarai awkwardly arrives.

Katō calls Agi to join him. However, her love for him is a hindrance to the process, so Katō kills her instead before entering the oven to become one with Yomotsumono. However, due to Sata's actions, one of Azukiarai's adzuki beans ends up in the mix with Katō, causing a chain reaction of positive emotion that destroys Yomotsumono.

After the ''yokai'' take their leave, Tadashi and Sata find themselves on the street and the boy tells his first white lie to the reporter about Kawahime's feelings towards him. Years later, Tadashi is a grown man who has lost the ability to see ''yokai'', even the ''sunekosuri''. The film ends with the ''sunekosuri'' being confronted by an Azuki-pupiled Katō.

Cast

Featured ''yōkai''

* '' Sunekosuri''
* '' Kirin''
* ''Bakeneko''
* ''Noppera-bō''
* ''Chōchin-obake''
* ''Rokurokubi''
* ''Mokumokuren''
* ''Futakuchi-onna''
* ''Tsurubebi''
* '' Karakasa''
* ''Nurikabe''
* ''Yuki-onna''
* '' Sentakugitsune''
* '' Ookubi''
* ''Bake-danuki''
* ''Hitotsume-kozō''
* ''Kappa''
* ''Otoroshi''
* '' Ohaguro-bettari''
* '' Nuri-botoke''
* '' Oshiroi-babaa''
* '' Kejoro''
* '' Wanyudo''
* ''Kudan''
* ''Karasutengu''

Critical response

Scott, A.O. ''The New York Times'' (June 30, 2006), p. B6: "A Motley Crew of Spirits Recruit a Boy to Be Savior"

Lovece, Frank. ''Film Journal International'' (review)

Home media

Japan

''Kadokawa'' – DVD

* Released: October 24, 2008
* Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
* Audio: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 6.1 EX)
* Subtitles: Japanese
* Discs: 1

North America

''Tokyo Shock'' – DVD

* Released: September 12, 2006
* Audio: Japanese, English
* Subtitles: English
* Region: 1
* Discs: 2
* Extras:
* Making of documentary (Japanese, English subtitles)
* cast interviews (Japanese. English subtitles)
* World Yokai Conference documentary
* Yokai profiles
* Still gallery

Trivia

* Kamiki Ryunosuke, who played Tadashi, the main character, believed that Kawataro the kappa was real, going as far as to feed him cucumbers. Abe Sadao, not wanting to disappoint the young boy, kept up the charade till the very end.
* In the new remake of the Movie, ''The Great Yokai War: Guardians'', Kamiki plays the role of Kato, the villain from this movie.

Translations

References

Footnotes

Bibliography

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External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Great Yokai War, The
2000s children's fantasy films
2000s fantasy adventure films
2005 films
Films based on Japanese myths and legends
Films directed by Takashi Miike
Films set in Tokyo
Remakes of Japanese films
2000s Japanese-language films
Reboot films
Shochiku films
Tokusatsu films
War adventure films
Works about yōkai
Yōkai in popular culture
Films set in Tottori Prefecture
2000s Japanese films