The Birth of Kitarō: Mystery of GeGeGe (鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎 Kitarō Tanjō GeGeGe no Nazo) is a movie focusing on Kitarō's birth. Announced in Shigeru Mizuki's 99th birthday festival as one of the four projects on March 7, 2021, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Shigeru Mizuki's birth.[1] It premiered in theaters on November 17, 2023. On April 15, 2024 the movie became available for purchase on Prime Video, where it will be released without purchase on April 29, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Plot[]
Deep in the mountains, a man trudges through while it rains. Following the shoeprints, he declares that he has found the secret of GeGeGe no Kitarō's birth. Sometime farther in, Kitarō tells him to stop as he does not know what will happen from then on. Reporter Yamada wants to ask him something, pulling out a recorder. However, Kitarō and Neko-Musume enter the tunnel, the former saying that he warned him. A strong wind blows and the man sees the sign above the tunnel, reading "Nagura". On the other side, Kitarō senses they are almost there. Medama-Oyaji notes that the time has finally come after 70 years. He suspects that man is also here today.
Reporter Yamada notes that his magazine will be discontinued, so he went all this way for this last article. He finds an abandoned village. He calls out to Kitarō as he goes further in. He finds the ruins of the village. He stumbles up a samurai armor, he steps closer to inspect it but the floorboards break under him and the armor falls over. He awakens underground, startled by a creepy doll. He continues his trek, taking pictures of a mysterious facility. He finds a Torii gate tunnel and a talking ball calling for help before it falls deeper into the caverns among the stalactites, groaning in pain. He is utterly disturbed by this. He tries to go elsewhere but a skeletal figure appears, screaming at him, which causes him to scream in fright.
70 years ago, in the year 1956, a housemaid finds the head of the family, Tokisada Ryūga, dead in his room and screams in shock. News of this spreads to Imperial Blood Bank, where the president wonders who the new head of the Ryuga Family will be, noting how tough the battle for succession is. He wishes to build a close relationship with the new head, who the manager speculates is going to be Katsunori of Ryuga Pharmaceutical as he became a new son-in-law. Mizuki steps into the room, declaring that President Katsunori will become the new head. He learned that the eldest son, Tokimaro, has health problems, coupled with how he heard that Katsunori was given an informal offer. Mizuki asks to let him go to make sure, as he was in charge of Ryuga Pharmaceutical, and that Katsunori has always taken good care of him. Knowing that the Ryuga Family lives in Nagura Village, if he goes now then he will make it there by noon tomorrow. The president succumbs, allowing him to go and putting the fate of their company in his hands. Before he leaves, the president asks if he knows about "that", which Mizuki says that he will try to find it. The president and the manager pray for a safe return.
On a train going there, Mizuki thinks to himself how the president and the manager only think of him as a disposable pawn. He goes through the history of the Ryuga Family and how it became successful after the Pacific War thanks to Tokisada, with his driving force being "that". Knowing that there are many mysteries with this clan, if he gets inside then he will be able to gain a higher position in the company. Suddenly, the lights go out and a white-haired man across his seat tells him that beyond this point is Hell and notes that he can see the invisible. He tells them that there are many people behind him, but things return to normal. He looks around and the man has disappeared.
Mizuki takes a taxi to the village, the driver notes that even the locals tend to not get too close to this remote village. Mizuki notes that one will not survive if they do the same thing as everyone else, having a flashback to the war where he and a handful of men survived but his general demands they fight again. He is dropped off at Nagura Tunnel, where the village is at the end. After passing by the fields and forest, Mizuki arrives at the village. While strolling through the empty town, he spots the granddaughter, Sayo, asking if she needs help fixing her sandals. While he does this, he tells her that he is from Tokyo and works in a company that does business with Ryuga Pharmaceutical. A boy, Tokiya, calls out to his cousin and runs up to her, who asks if it is alright for him to be outside. He hides behind Sayo as he notices Mizuki and assumes that he is an outsider, as that is what everyone in the village is talking about. Tokiya asks where he is from and is amazed to learn that he is from Tokyo. Sayo warns him that if he gets too excited he will get a fever again. Mizuki tells the boy that he is planning to stay in the village for a while and offers to talk to him when they can. He then asks Sayo for directions to the Ryuga Mansion, which she answers is just up the road. Before he leaves, he says goodbye to the two for now and asks to meet again with Sayo when they have the opportunity, which she happily accepts.
Mizuki enters the mansion grounds, where he is confronted by the village chief and his men. The salaryman introduces himself and that he is an acquaintance of Katsunori. Just then, the man himself appears from the mansion door and Mizuki greets him, where he is allowed to enter. The two chat as they walk through the mansion. Katsunori asks one of the housemaids to send Mizuki to the Annex later for seclusion, informing the man that it is a traditional custom of the Ryuga. Explaining that everyone locks themselves in their room on the night before the funeral for a purification ritual. He adds that this is a rural village so superstitions prevail and tells him that each head of the Ryuga also serves shrine priests at the top of the mountain. Katsunori says that they do nothing but strange rituals for their local deity and expresses his dislike of the village.
Mizuki and Katsunori enter the room for the wake, where everyone is staring at them. Katsunori tells him to not be shy as they enter. Otome mentions the unfamiliar face they have here, which Katsunori explains is his guest and an observer from Tokyo. Mizuki introduces himself, Otome notes his lack of consideration and that he seems like someone Katsunori works with. Mizuki acknowledges his rudeness and says that they have his sympathies, but this only makes it worse with Otome by saying this.
Mizuki internally notes down every prominent Ryuga Family member here; Tokisada's eldest daughter and Katsunori's wife Otome, the second daughter Hinoe, who was rumored to have eloped but was brought back. Saya and Tokiya arrive and go to their sides of the family. On Tokiya's side is his mother, Toshiko, the third daughter, who married into the village chief's family and realizes the man from earlier is Genji Osada. Mizuki is shocked to hear that Tokimaro is still alive, watching as he enters the room. Katsunori asks the executor to read Tokisada's will. Starting with the appointment of the new head who will receive everything, being Tokimaro. Following this Tokimaro will adopt Tokiya, who will take over after he comes of age and assume the position of head of the family. Katsunori will remain as the president of Ryuga Pharmaceutical but Otome will be the chairwoman, getting the final say on all company policies. Once he finishes, Katsunori exclaims that Tokisada would leave everything to him after all he did for the development of the family. Otome chuckles that he actually believed her father's verbal promise.
Katsunori charges at the executor to grab the will, believing it to be a fake. Hinoe follows suit asking about her share, and soon everyone in the branch family fights over the will for their share. Mizuki moves out of the way, where Sayo asks him to help her. Tokimaro gets everyone's attention as he states how lonely he is to his father's portrait, crying out to his father. Suddenly, the building starts shaking, and a horrific wail is heard. Tokimaro announces that the family's seclusion begins. Otome asks her brother if that wail was "that" and asks if he will take care of it, to which he says that he had been training under their father diligently and was not even allowed to marry. Otome calls Sayo to come with her, and Tokimaro looks at the young girl. Mizuki wonders what that screech was, but a young boy gets attention and shows him around.
In his room, Mizuki contemplates what to do, saying he cannot go back to Tokyo like this, and that he and Katsunori were too optimistic. He thinks how it has been 10 years that he went through so much to save his life that he cannot let it go to waste. Mizuki has a nightmare of his time in the war, where in the middle of a battlefield he was nearly caught in a bomb's explosion, barely alive. He wakes up and grasps the scar on his chest and sits up.
A housemaid wakes everyone up, calling for someone to see what happened to Tokimaro in the shrine. Hearing this, Mizuki goes to see what is going on. A crowd forms staring into the shrine as the servant boy checks on Tokimaro from behind a clear curtain. The new head's body falls forward, with the sacred spear stabbed in his eye, revealing his death to everyone. One of the branch family believes this is the curse and mutters "Nagura-sama" before covering his mouth and leaving. Everyone's attention is called by Genji's men, who have captured a suspicious intruder. When he is brought there, Mizuki recognizes him as the man from the train ride. The servant boy blurts out "GeGe-" before running off. One of the branch family members assumes he killed Tokimaro and everyone follows suit. Genji's men force the silver-haired man down. The village chief proclaims that the man has brought calamity to this place and they will cleanse him of this sin, preparing to chop his head off.
Before it is done, Mizuki stops them, saying that they do not know for sure that he is the murderer and asking everyone to stay calm. He calls out to Katsunori, who tells Genji to stop scaring his guest. His men apologize and Mizuki suggests calling the police. However, Otome reveals that a report came earlier about a landslide cutting off communication with the foot of the mountain. She presumes this is due to the Dragon's Wail from yesterday. With this, Mizuki realizes that they are trapped in the village with Tokimaro's murderer. Genji and his men keep the mysterious man in a cell, where the former requests Mizuki to keep an eye on him. After Genji and his men leave, Mizuki tries to converse with the white-haired man, asking for his name, but gets no response. The salaryman decides to call him "Gegero" and lights a cigarette. Gegero asks for one, but Mizuki refuses.
Elsewhere, Genji activates a secret entrance, revealing Otome, who collapses out from it. In an office, Genji informs her of the two, saying that he will deal when the time is right. Otome tells him to not let the company folks get suspicious. Hinoe notes what a shame this is, remarking how the guy from Tokyo resembles Keiji Sada while counting her money. Otome scolds her, and her sister promises that she will not waste any more of her money. Genji notes how noisy the well is getting, estimating that it will take three days. Otome expected this and has no choice but to let Tokiya take over. However, Toshiko tells her sister that the boy has not been feeling well lately. Otome lectures her that she has no say in this and will bring the child within three days.
Meanwhile, Tokiya visits Mizuki and Gegero, watching the two eating their meals, with the latter having a pathetically smaller portion. Mizuki tells the boy that the world's tallest radio tower will soon be built in Tokyo. Tokiya is amazed but coughs more. Mizuki tells the boy to go back to bed. Tokiya remarks how he has been feeling ill since his grandfather passed away and now with Uncle Tokimaru dead, he believes his turn is coming soon. Mizuki tries to ease the boy's worries, saying that he will be able to see the radio tower and that Japan will be prosperous in the future, with no need for war or poverty and where any illness can be cured. Tokiya happily asks Gegero if he thinks so too. The silver-haired man answers that such a time may come if children who carry the future on their shoulders truly wish for it. However, some do not desire change and fear it will try to crush it. It is because of these conflicts that the times are woven together. Mizuki asks Gegero why he is talking to a child like this, who retorts that it is better than giving him hollow promises. Tokiya understands that it is more complicated than this, but if this is the case, then it is even more worth the effort. Gegero calls him a clever boy and the boy leaves, saying the first step is to get better.
Afterward, Mizuki asks Gegero why he came to this village in the mountains, saying that he will let him out if he tells him. Gegero asks if that is true, which Mizuki confirms as they are both outsiders to this village. Gegero decides to tell him that he came here to look for something. Mizuki wonders if he is looking for "M", but the man has no clue what that is. Gegero clarifies that he is looking for his wife, explaining that they were separated due to certain circumstances, and has been searching for years now. He pulls out a picture, which Mizuki snatches to take a look at, remarking how beautiful she is. Before he gives the photo back, the salaryman asks how he got here, to which Gegero explains that an old friend had sensed her presence around there. Mizuki thinks that this guy will not be of any use to him and changes into his sleepwear. Gegero asks to be released, but Mizuki tells him that he will let him out tomorrow, angering the silver-haired man for deceiving him. Mizuki notes he does not seem like a murderer, but says that he is too credulous as he goes to sleep.
During the night as it rains, Genji's men capture a ghoulish person as the man with the axe strikes. Mizuki wakes up and finds himself in the cage. He wonders how Gegero did this and sneaks out to catch him before they are found by Genji's men. He finds a trail of shoeprints that leads to a hot spring where Gegero is conversing with an unknown figure. Mizuki calls out to him, wondering where the other person is. He tells Gegero that he was planning on asking them to let him out that day and begs him to listen to him. The silver-haired man gives in and gets out of the hotspring. Mizuki thanks him and goes ahead to ask, requesting Gegero to hide around here. Before he does, Gegero apologizes to his guest for the interruption.
As Mizuki heads to the mansion, wondering how to bring it up, he spots a man in the window. Sayo appears behind him and informs him that the man is her uncle Kōzō. As they stroll through the village, Sayo explains that her uncle lost his mind because he violated a taboo of the village a decade ago. She looks at the island in the lake and explains that it is a forbidden area where no one is allowed to enter, but her uncle did so anyway. Sayo asks about Tokyo, enthusiastic from hearing about cream sodas. Mizuki says that they should go there together with Tokiya, but Sayo wants to go with him. Their conversation is interrupted by Katsunori's arrival who jokes about them getting along well, making Sayo run off. Mizuki says that he would never think of doing this, but Katsunori brushes this aside, saying that he could even give him the Ryuga name if he wanted. They share a drink inside as Katsunori speculates the murder was done by someone in the family, suspecting the Osada family to try and take over the entire Ryuga family. Katsunori asks Mizuki if he would help him, showing him a small bottle of M, the source of the Ryuga's wealth, sold only to specific clients. He believes the raw material is made in this village, as the production and everything else about it is kept secret even from him, as he was not born a Ryuga. He wants Mizuki to find it if he is willing to join him, offering a cigar. Mizuki accepts the task and coughs from the cigar, making Katsunori laugh.
Outside, Mizuki is annoyed after being made fun of. Though, he wants to see the mystery solved as well. He spots Gegero heading for the island and boards a boat to stop him. He fails to row it properly when the servant boy from earlier confronts him. Mizuki gets him to row the boat and go to the island, promising to pay handsomely. He pushes through after seeing the lack of a pathway to find Gegero. He finds a big hole in the ground and starts hearing strange screams coming from the well as a magic circle with a blurry image of a face flashes from the opening of the hole. Soon a mob of Yōkai appear from the trees, surrounding the pained man. One comes crawling from the grass to attack but Gegero arrives and protects Mizuki. Gegero tries to end the conflict peacefully, but the Ōmukade fights back without regard. He tries to get everyone to calm down, but the restless Yōkai continues to charge, forcing him to carry Mizuki and flee. They land in the boat and escape the island, back to the port of the village. Gegero thanks the Kappa for helping them. He then asks what Nezumi is planning here, to which the rat Hanyo lies that he wants to make a fresh start in the countryside.
A villager screams, saying that they found Hinoe's body impaled on the tip of a tree. Gegero suspects this is not the work of a human, and Mizuki questions him on the number of strange circumstances today. Gegero explains to him the monsters he saw were Yōkai and that they are everywhere, just that humans do not want to perceive them. He adds that his kind, the Ghost Tribe, belongs to them as well. This revelation causes the salaryman to faint. Later, Mizuki asks the silver-haired man if he is not human, and Gegero recounts the history of his kind. Their numbers dwindled as humans spread across the world, forcing them to live in caves. He and his wife are the last remaining members. Mizuki asks why he saved him, but confronts the man when he hears that it was out of pity. He calms down, reminiscing that the old lady who took care of him used to tell him stories about Yōkai, surprised that they are all real. Gegero tells him that he can not see things just by looking with his eyes, adding that having one covered helps. In his room, Tokiya pleads for his grandfather to save him as his fever worsens. A silhouetted figure opens his eyes widely.
In their room, Mizuki informs Gegero that he is looking for something in the village as well. While in the south, he heard that Japan managed victory in both the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars with the use of needless, immortal soldiers who could continue fighting for days. The secret to their immortality was from a drug called M. His company's president wanted to mass produce it for their company as well. Gegero can not fathom why anyone would want this, but the salaryman explains that Japan managed to rise in power. If everyone worked together, then the country would become the wealthiest in the world. Mizuki offers Gegero to work together, noting that both humans and Yōkai are hiding secrets in this village and that this must have something to do with what they are looking for, wanting to expose it all, Gegero accepts, but warns him that whatever he sees to not run away, which the salaryman retorts back.
Mizuki wants to go on the island again, but Gegero points out the problem of the hole. Where the barrier shows signs of a crack, speculating it was damaged from the power inside of it. He explains that the Yōkai there must have been driven mad and that the power is deep-seated grudges, suspecting it to be a Kyōkotsu, Yōkai born from the grudges of the dead. Thinking that the hole itself counts as a well, noting from the size, the Kyōkotsu must have taken hundreds of years to accumulate such power. With the barrier still up, it should not have any way of leaving the island, so long as it does not have a vessel in the village.
Mizuki asks Sayo if she knows anything about the well on the island. She expresses how happy she was when he invited her but assumes that his purpose was to uncover the secrets of the Ryuga. Sayo will tell her what she knows, but only if he promises to take her out of there, wanting to live freely in Tokyo. Mizuki tries to talk her out of it, as he is just a simple salaryman, with no wealth or status to his name that would be able to make her wishes come true. Saya says that it does not matter if he can do it or not, it is about whether he wants to be with her or not. Mizuki agrees to take her to the outside world, making her run up to him and think how fortunate she is to have found her soulmate. Sayo apologizes for this act and tells Mizuki about what she knows. There is a limestone cave in the basement of the mansion that leads to the island but does not know where it is as she will not be told until she is of age. Mizuki asks if it is possible to hear it from Kōzō himself. Sayo is unsure considering his current state, but will somehow try and will look into it herself.
In the office, Otome believes that they will all be killed if things continue like this. She asks Toshiko to give her son now, but the younger sister stands her ground. Gegero finds Mizuki at a graveyard, asking if he would like have a drink together. Mizuki asks the silver-haired man what he wants to talk about, which Gegero asks about his attitude towards Sayo, asking what he will do since the girl is serious and not to play with someone's sincere feelings. He asks the salaryman if he has felt truly felt love for someone. Mizuki answers that he has no capacity for it, having seen his friends die in the war and come back home with all of his family's possessions lost. He realized then that weak are always exploited and made to look like fools, whether it is on the battlefield or your hometown. This is why he wants power, to not be trampled on. A Tsurube-Bi appears, lighting the area. Gegero remarks how he always hated humans, but his wife loves them. She was a woman full of love, believing in humans, and always tried to be by their side. Gegero cries remembering how beautiful she is. While he lived far away from humans, his wife had lived among them in their society. He wonders to this day what would have happened to him if he never met her. He tells Mizuki that someday, something more important than himself will appear to him, and the things he always failed to notice will become visible to him. Mizuki hopes that Gegero will find his wife.
The next day, Mizuki wakes up late, having drank too much. Nezumi delivers him a message from Sayo. A meeting is arranged for Mizuki and Gegero with Kōzō. The delirious man sees the island briefly flash and screams. The ground begins shaking and Kōzō tries to go over the railings but is pulled back by the two. His sketches fall out, revealing them to be of Gegero's wife. The silver-haired man demands how he knows her, which Kōzō wimpishly answers from his dreams. Gegero furiously demands where she is, but Kōzō does not know. Genji confirms this, informing them that the delirious man fell in love with her, betrayed his family, and tried to free her, which failed. He was then struck by the Urakido technique used by the Ryuga Family, leaving him mind-broken and losing his memories.
Gegero speaks of the Kidōshū, a faction of Onmyoji, among them are those who used forbidden techniques "Urakido" and were expelled. He asks if these profane outcasts were picked up by the Ryuga Family, the same ones who hunted the Ghost Tribe. Genji remarks that he thought they hunted them all down but is pleasantly surprised as he puts on his mask. His men appear, wearing their Kido uniforms. Gegero tells Mizuki to stand back as a battle breaks out. The silver-haired man has the upper hand, managing to feign off their attacks with ease, and comes out unscathed. He faces Genji, who summons a Kyōkotsu. The Kidōshu exorcist boasts that this one has great power, and overpowers Gegero, swallowing the man. Genji recalls his Kyōkotsu, releasing the defeated Gegero.
At the temple, Gegero is tied and brought to Otome. The silver-haired man demands them to free his wife, not caring what happens to him. Otome mocks him, denying his request, and states that the once insignificant Ghost Tribe was found to have value in their blood by the Ryuga Family. She says that it is convenient that he is married to the woman, wanting to get them paired up and have children. This confirms to Gegero that the secret ingredient of M is his tribe's blood. He asks if they have been stealing blood from his wife, which Otome confirms, and are still doing it to this day. Genji's men beat Gegero up, as a form of "discipline". Mizuki tries to get them to stop peacefully, but after flipping one of them in self-defense, swords are brought to his neck. Otome tells him to forget everything he saw in this village if he wants to return to Tokyo with his head still attached. Otome claims that this is her father's dream, for the country to rise after the humiliating defeat, and calls her family people of noble duty. She claims that the Ghost Tribe should consider it an honor of being the sacrifices for the greater cause.
Mizuki has a flashback, where his lieutenant gives his second the commands for the group, having been ordered to report their final moments to the commander, despite being planned to die with them. With his men silent, the lieutenant asks if they are considering surrendering after all. He tries to convince them to die for a greater cause and to consider it an honor. The swords are drawn back and Otome wishes the best for his president. In a room full of bookstacks, Nezumi asks if Sayo called for him. She gives Tokimaro's diary to him, asking him to give it to Mizuki. She tells him to hurry as it has what Mizuki wanted to know. The rat Hanyo leaves just as Toshiko before enters, who tells her niece that this is Tokimaro's room and asks what she is doing in there. Sayo asks her aunt to keep this a secret, but Toshiko refuses as the house will be hers once Tokiya becomes the head of the family, not wanting to let either her or Otome do what they want.
The ground quakes much harder now, Otome tells Genji that they do not have time anymore. She orders the men to take Gegero to the factory while getting the villagers to proceed with the preparations for Tokiya's succession ceremony. She also orders to bring Sayo so she can marry Tokiya and give birth to the next head of the family. She notes what a shame it is, that Sayo would have had a powerful heir if she had been pregnant with Tokisada's child. Mizuki is confused by her statement, which Otome tells him to forget about it, as Ryuga women must devote themselves to the head of the family in order to produce descendants with exceptional spiritual power. Mizuki realizes what she means and vomits in disgust. Mizuki is angry at himself for having admired such a vile family, calling them inhuman. Otome has Genji knock Mizuki out and leave him in a storehouse.
Nezumi finds Mizuki in the storehouse, wakes him up, and delivers the diary to him. They read it on a bench outside, where Nezumi is disgusted by the contents, calling the village messed up. Mizuki notes that his mission would be complete if he brings the diary back, but rips it apart, having memorized it all. Nezumi decides to leave this place, being fed up with the world for now and says his goodbye as he disappears in the darkness. Sayo approaches Mizuki, who sees something around her. She tells the salaryman that Toshiko has been killed. She wants to run away with Mizuki, calling the village cursed. She informs him that her mother lied in order to isolate the village. She does not want anything to do with the village, as this is all what her mother wants. Mizuki offers her to come with him to Tokyo, holding hands as they reach the entrance.
Down below, Gegero is brought to the factory and is strapped to a bed. They enter a room with dozens of people are also strapped to beds. Otome informs him that when the blood of the Ghost Tribe is directly transfused into a human, they become living corpses. M is made by refining the blood taken from these corpses. Gegero questions if they sacrificed the villagers for this, but Otome answers that their role is to capture humans, turn them into living corpses, and take care of them. Gegero remarks that this responsibility burdened the entire village with heavy karma. Otome orders her men to cut off unnecessary limbs, starting with the right arm. Just as the axeman strikes, Mizuki fires a bullet, getting their attention. He brings out Sayo and orders them to let Gegero go. Making Otome wonder why they are here. Earlier, Mizuki tells Sayo to go ahead, wanting to save Gegero. Sayo offers to help him, wanting to be by his side wherever he goes.
Otome calls his bluff after spotting his hand tremble and tells Sayo to stop this, asking if she thinks Mizuki really cares about her. Otome reveals to her daughter that Mizuki knows that she was Tokisada's favorite. Sayo panics as her mother mocks her, saying that she can only live in this village. Mizuki calls Otome out on this, that this is the reason Sayo is possessed by a Yōkai, and why so many people have died. Otome is shocked by this, and her daughter asks Mizuki if he knew about it as well. The salaryman explains that he started to see things while being around Gegero, and saw a world that should be invisible, having seen the deceased Ryuga haunting her and the Yōkai possessing her when she approached him.
Sayo recalls her family's deaths, starting when Tokimaro became the head of the family, he tried to do the same thing as her grandfather. When Hinoe threatened her, saying that she would tell Mizuki about her secret. Lastly, when Toshiko tried to interfere with her. Nobody really cares about her, only seeing her Ryuga name and blood, and cries out that she is not a tool to be used by the family. Mizuki sadly remarks that he is guilty as well, having tried to use her to get closer to the Ryuga Family, and wants to atone for it, offering to leave this village with him to Tokyo. Sayo rejects, knowing that Tokyo is like this place and that there is no freedom anywhere. Sayo believed that if it was Mizuki, that if he just looked at her. The salaryman sadly looks down.
Otome tells her daughter to get a grip, but the lights go out. Sayo states that she has no choice, as the one cursed by the Ryuga, she decides to end it all; the village, the Ryuga family, and herself. The Kyōkotsu possessing her manifests and Genji tries to control it, but the skull medium shatters and is swallowed by the Kyōkotsu. Otome scolds Sayo for being manipulated and used as a tool by this monster. However, Sayo clarifies that she is in control, and calls for the strength of all the living corpses. The bodies begin glowing and are turned into energy that the Kyōkotsu swallows. Sayo tells her enemies to die as the monster bursts, releasing the living corpses as smaller Koykotsu who begin brutally killing everyone in the room. Otome calls Genji for help, but a pipe goes straight through her left eye, and she collapses.
Sayo laughs, crying as this purge occurs. Once she stops glowing, she solemnly looks back at Mizuki, who fearfully stares back at her. Sayo lunges at the salaryman, choking him with tears in her eyes. However, Genji stabs her in the back, calling her a monster before he succumbs to his wounds. Sayo begins burning, calling out to Mizuki before she screams and her body disintegrates. Mizuki mourns for Sayo, apologizing to her, and cries. Because of Genji's death, the talisman's spell dissipates and Gegero breaks free. Mizuki apologizes for being late. Gegero's geta comes flying in and Mizuki grabs the axe. The two then open the door, where they find a trail of Torii gates, and go to find Gegero's wife.
The ground shakes even harder than before, and a few buildings collapse. At the end of the Torii gates, they find a temple door and Mizuki breaks the lock. They arrive at the bottom of the well, where the moonlight reveals a Cherry Tree by a pool of water with a small shrine in its roots. Mizuki's nose starts bleeding as their attention is drawn to the corpse of Tokisada. The platform it is on breaks and falls apart, and they unexpectedly find Tokiya here, who tells them that this place is dangerous for humans. However, Gegero asks who he is, knowing that he is not the boy. Mizuki sees the boy's face shifting to Tokisada.
The man flaunts his achievements as he reveals that he is indeed Tokisada Ryuga. Mizuki does not understand what is going on, but Tokisada tells him to be silent. The Ryuga man greets the Ghost Tribe man, asking if he came to sacrifice himself. Gegero asks if he drove out Tokiya's soul and took his body. The old man confirms this, adding that the boy resisted more than he expected. He remarks how close it was as the barrier almost broke, thinking that he must be bullied by the Gokusotsu in Jigoku in his place. He calls his children and the youths of today foolish and worthless, saying that the country still needs his guidance. This is why he used the forbidden art of soul transfer to come back to life, having created Tokiya to serve as his vessel.
Tokisada remarks that Sayo did such a regrettable thing, but notes that he can make as many substitutes as he wants. Gegero tells the salaryman to look carefully, where a Kyōkotsu screams at his face. An entire swarm of Kyōkotsu resides at the bottom of the well. Tokisada reveals these Koyokotsu were born from the grudges of the Ghost Tribe. He notes that the barrier acts like a mirror curse, gathering the grudges of the Ghost Tribe, and sending it back to them. He holds a skull and absorbs the Kyōkotsu, saying that he has no chance of winning. Gegero asks where his wife is, to which Tokisada tells him to not be so agitated and enjoy the cherry blossoms. He then sadistically reveals that the Blood Cherry Blossom's deep red is from the blood of his wife. Gegero goes to the tree and finds blood dripping out in the shrine. Mizuki finds the bodies of other Ghost Tribe members, causing Gegero to frantically search for her. Mizuki cuts a root, getting sprayed with blood, to try and find her as well.
Tokisada informs them that the Chizakura keeps its victims alive for as long as possible by using its spiritual power, so it can continue to suck blood. The suffering of the captives then continues for so long that the grudge gives birth to powerful Kyōkotsu. The two continue their search, and Mizuki coughs more and more until blood comes out and he collapses. Not wanting the Chizakura to be damaged anymore, Tokisada reveals where she is. She is brought from the depths where Gegero runs to her, saddened by how sickly she looks. Tokisada chuckles, remarking how she looked so beautiful before, but that they took too much blood. She wakes up and Mizuki tears up. Now cut off from its source, the Chizakura loses its deep red. Gegero hugs his wife, apologizing for leaving her alone for so long. She calls him a crybaby but tells him that she was not alone. She whispers that she is pregnant, making Gegero smile. Tokisada realizes she is carrying a child, and jumps in celebration as it saves him the trouble. She carried her child for so long to protect them, but Tokisada claims the child as his. With this, the production of M will be increased greatly, calling Japan's future bright.
Gegero demands that Tokisada not talk about the future, calling him unfit to care for life. The old man decides to discipline him, summoning a powerful Kyōkotsu. The silver-haired man battles it, evading most of its attacks. Gegero uses his hair to grapple the monster's horn and attempts to choke it. A mouth forms below Gegero as the Kyōkotsu swallows him. The silver-haired man uses his Internal Electricity and manages to get out. However, the Kyōkotsu stabs him with his claws and sends him to the Chizakura. The branches grab a hold of him, and Tokisada remarks again that he had no chance of winning.
Tokisada says that he does not wish to kill any of them, asking him to give up for the sake of the baby and to let him keep the three of them, like a parent and children. He rudely remarks that they live like trash anyway, saying that this way they would be more useful to people, and laughs at them. Gegero says that he will not give up so easily, and neither will his partner. Mizuki climbs up the stairs with the axe. Tokisada warns that if the salaryman defeats him, then the Kyōkotsu will kill him and escape outside. Tokisada tries to bargain with him, letting him have two or three companies, offering him to be his subordinate and live in luxury. This does not sway Mizuki, who swings the axe and shatters the skull. Tokisada calls him an idiot, as the Kyōkotsu will go wild and destroy the country. Mizuki remarks that it is a price they will have to pay as he collapses again. The Kyōkotsu towers over Tokisada, he fails to escape and unsuccessfully tries to get pity. While held in the Kyōkotsu's mouth, Tokisada calls out for help, but Gegero reminds him that he can no longer die. The Kyōkotsu swallows him, and his body transforms into a small ball of flesh, where his suffering will continue forever.
The Kyōkotsu then goes on a rampage and flies towards the Chizakura. Gegero breaks free by electrocuting it and, despite his injuries, stands to protect his wife. The child in the womb cries, awakening the fallen Ghost Tribe members below. Gegero's bracelet floats up as the hair of his fallen tribesmen merges with it, becoming a ball of golden light. It traps the Kyōkotsu, absorbing it, and gaining black stripes. It shrinks down, and in a burst, covers Gegero, becoming the Spirit Hair Chanchanko. Mizuki asks if it is over, but Gegero clarifies that arisen feelings of resentment do not go away so easily. Grudges beget more grudges, thus creating more Kyōkotsu. The barrier will soon break, and Gegero notes that in the end, everything is according to the wishes of the Kyōkotsu. The Chizakura collapses and the barrier is broken, releasing the Kyōkotsu who ravage the villagers. Gegero gives Mizuki the Chanchanko, telling him that so long as he wears it, he will not lose his mind, even if he gets attacked by the Kyōkotsu. He entrusts his wife and child with him, requesting that they escape from this cursed village. Gegero plans to take on their grudges, not knowing if he will be alright, If nothing is done then Kyōkotsu will continue to increase until they destroy the country. Mizuki does not want Gegero to sacrifice himself, but the silver-haired man says he has to do it, as this is the world where his child will be born.
As the village continues to be destroyed, Kōzō is run over by Katsunori, who soon crashes into a tree, dying as well. Mizuki has Gegero promise that he will stay alive and come back, carrying Gegero's wife out of the well. Gegero flinches from the pain and sees a staff with skulls surround it in the drying-out lake. At some point before going through the gates, Mizuki gives Gegero's wife the Chanchanko to wear. Gegero pushes through the wind, remarking that the future where his friend lives is something that he wanted to see with his own eyes. He grabs hold of the staff, where the skulls begin to glow, commanding all those who hold grudges for him to be their new vessel and pulls the staff out. The skulls scatter, where the accumulated grudges escape and are absorbed into the silver-haired man, rotting his body. Gegero expected this, being impossible to hold them back alone by himself.
In the present, Reporter Yamada runs to the collapsed Chizakura as the Kyōkotsu follows him. Kitarō arrives and uses his Chanchanko to restrain it. Neko-Musume tells Yamada to stay back. Kitarō remarks that this is the last one. He prepares to use his Hair Needles, but Medama-Oyaji stops him after seeing an image flash from the Kyōkotsu. He realizes that he was the last one left, saying that it was no surprise, as he regrets having his future stolen from him. For not being able to save him, Medama-Oyaji apologizes to Tokiya, making the Kyōkotsu cry.
A vision of Gegero in his cell, says that a long time has passed since then, and apologizes to Tokiya that the country is far from the future he dreamed of with him that day. Medama-Oyaji says that everyone continues to feel unfulfilled and suffer, but he was able to have a child, Kitarō. The Yōkai boy releases Tokiya from his Chanchanko, having heard a lot about him from his father. He asks if there is anything he can do to ease his suffering. Tokiya requests that they do not forget that he was here. Kitarō promises this and to take on his feelings. Tokiya thanks him and floats up, changing to how he was when he was alive. He sees Sayo who welcomes him with open arms. Medama-Oyaji asks if Mizuki is watching. Yamada asks what happened in this village and why Kitarō helps humans. If the reason is what happened in this village, then he wants to write it down and pass it on. Medama-Oyaji notes that it is a long story, but Yamada does not care, as this is why he came this far. Medama-Oyaji concedes and begins to tell how he and that man met and everything that happened in this village.
Back in the past, a group of firefighters find a man, Mizuki, asking if he is a survivor of the village. He does not answer them, instead asking what happened to her. The firefighters are confused, asking if there was someone else with him. The man does not remember, and wonders where he is and why is he here. He asks why he is so sad and sheds tears, revealing that he has white hair.
Sometime after, Mizuki wakes up and follows a Hitodama to an abandoned temple near his home at night. There he meets the disfigured couple. He runs away and his life continues. Time passes and he returns to the temple, finding the couple dead. He buries the wife in the cemetery, unable to do the same for the husband as his body is too rotten to move. The right eyeball of the husband comes to life and drops out of its socket. Mizuki hears a baby's cries, watching it crawl out of the freshly made grave. He calls the child a monster, and, not knowing what kind of disaster will happen if he lets it live, tries to kill it. However, images flash in his mind of Gegero, who he does not remember. Medama-Oyaji watches from afar, as Mizuki hugs the baby, deciding to take care of him instead.
Cast[]
Present Day[]
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Kitarō
- Masako Nozawa as Medama-Oyaji
- Umeka Shōji as Neko-Musume
- Masaya Matsukaze as Reporter Yamada
1956[]
- Toshihiko Seki as Kitarō's Father (alive)
- Hidenobu Kiuchi as Mizuki
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Sayo Ryūga
- Yumiko Kobayashi as Tokiya Osada
- Tetsu Shiratori as Tokisada Ryūga
- Nobuo Tobita as Tokimaro Ryūga
- Kazuya Nakai as Kōzō Ryūga
- Yōko Sōmi as Otome Ryūga
- Kazuhiro Yamaji as Katsunori Ryūga
- Yūko Minaguchi as Hinoe Ryūga
- Rie Kugimiya as Toshiko Osada
- Akira Ishida as Genji Osada
- Toshio Furukawa as Nezumi-Otoko
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Kitarō's Mother
Staff[]
- Director: Gō Koga
- Writer: Hiroyuki Yoshino
- Character Design: Tōko Yatabe
- Music: Kenji Kawai
Songs[]
Gallery[]
Visuals[]
Trailers[]
Scenes[]
