Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994)

Profile

• Movie: Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon
• Romaji: Takeru Yamato
• Japanese: ヤマトタケル
• Director: Takao Okawara
• Writer: Wataru Mimura
• Producer: Shogo Tomiyama
• Cinematographer: Yoshinori Sekiguchi
• Release Date: July 09, 1994
• Runtime: 105 min.
• Studio: Toho
• Distributor: Toho
• Language: Japanese
• Country: Japan

Plot

Twin princes are born in the ancient kingdom of Yamato. On the advice of his sinister advisor, Tsukinowa, the Emperor orders the younger of the two, Prince Ousu, executed. The goddess Amaterasu intervenes, and Ousu is whisked away to safety by the White Bird of Heaven. He is raised by his aunt, who is a priestess of Amaterasu. Two warriors, Seiryu and Genbu, are his guardians.

At the age of ten, Ousu receives an amulet that turns him into a wildman with incredible power when he is in danger. He also learns that he is destined to become a warrior of the gods. When he grows into a strong young man, the Emperor pardons him and he returns to the court of Yamato. His father remains suspicious, however. When Tsukinowa attempts to assassinate the prince, Ousu’s wild power protects him. Ousu is later blamed for the deaths of his mother and brother. Anxious to be rid of him, the Emperor sends him to kill the king of rival kingdom Kumaso.

Seiryu and Genbu accompany Ousu to Kumaso. Along the way he meets Oto Tachibana, a priestess and skilled warrior who is destined to share his life. With their help, Ousu kills Kumaso Takeru and earns the name Yamato Takeru. His aunt then requests that he bring her the mystical Sword of Dark Clouds. It is the sword of the dark god Tsukuyomi, who is returning to Earth. Thousands of years ago, Tsukuyomi assumed the form of an eight-headed dragon and tried to destroy the world. If he regains the sword, his full evil power will return to him. Yamato Takeru’s destiny is revealed: He was born on Earth, and trained by the gods, to defeat Tsukuyomi and save the world!