Original subtitles

♪ In a time long past ♪

♪ A Noh theater troupe took the world by storm ♪

No. Not that theater troupe.

This was a long, long,

long... long...

long time ago.

The time of our ancestors, when Noh theater

was known as "sarugaku."

Japan was divided between two emperors.

Each emperor had their own court, and claimed to be

the rightful ruler of the entire nation.

In the Northern Court, the shogun yearned

for three sacred treasures,

known as the Imperial Regalia, ownership of which

would determine the one true emperor.

Ah. If only I just had one of them.

Even one sacred treasure!

If only...

♪ If only he had one treasure ♪

♪ If only, if only ♪

♪ He must have that treasure ♪

♪ He must have the sacred treasure ♪

A tale that took place in this country

600 years ago.

Our story, which was stolen away from us,

and forgotten.

[Battle of Dan-no-ura]

Huh? Who are those people?

What are they here for? Do you know?

No. What about you?

Have you heard anything?

Not from down here.

What did you find?

Nothing but junk!

You've got visitors!

Tie it up!

Something big must be going on.

I just hope they're not here to cause any trouble.

Could be good news.

We'd appreciate your help.

This is the location.

Right here.

Our family has been diving for Heike treasure

here in Dan-no-ura for 60 years.

I doubt we're gonna find anything like that

still down there.

I assure you we will. It's in a bag inside of a box

as tall as you or I, covered in clay.

It looks nothing like treasure.

So, you've seen it?

Someone saw it.

It came in a dream.

Someone from a hidden Heike village?

Are you going to help us or not?

Hmm.

Huh?

They're so creepy.

Yeah, we have a lot of angry-looking crabs

like that one around here.

When they're under the water, they hide their faces from you.

Sent by the curse of the fallen Heike clan, no doubt.

Superstition!

The curse only affects things when they come out of the water.

Papa!

Where'd you go?

- Forgive us! - Forgive us!

Papa!

Papa!

I can't see! Where are you?

What happened to those two men from Kyoto?

They ran off.

They just left after all that?

Unbelievable.

Well, did they at least pay?

My husband is dead and my son is blind!

How could this have happened?!

Who were they?

Who were the men who did this?

Who? Why?

Tell me why!

Why?!

That's right, Tomona.

Find who's responsible. I'm counting on you.

You're the only one who can set me free.

You must avenge me.

You must avenge the whole Io family.

Find the bastards who did this to us.

And cut them down.

The rule of the Heike had come to an end.

Flags had been pushed back,

by the white flags belonging to the Genji.

It was the final battle

on the sea of Dan-no-ura.

The emperor's grandmother got to her feet.

And spoke to the six-year-old that was her grandson.

"There is a city beneath the waves.

The Palace of the Dragon King."

So the young emperor left, carrying the sacred sword

of the Imperial Regalia, jumped over the edge

of the ship, and plunged into the water below.

Never to return.

None know if he found the Dragon King's palace.

Or if the palace was ever there.

Aah! My face!

D-Don't touch me!

Hey, I know that story.

The sword that sank to the bottom of Dan-no-ura.

I know it!

Well, of course you know it.

Everybody knows the story of how the Heike were defeated.

It's quite famous.

Why are you sitting here singing about it?

To bring peace to the fallen warriors.

Soothing their souls is the reason

my colleagues and I are here.

Look. Itsukushima sanctuary's over there.

I'm sorry, I can't see it because I'm blind.

Is that right? So are we!

You're blind, but you know how to play the biwa?

Playing the biwa is how we earn a living.

Tell me, what's your name?

I'm Tomona.

I'm looking for the hidden villages of the Heike.

I'm from Dan-no-ura.

TOMONA

This is my name. Here.

TANIICHI

"Taniichi."

You can read?

Of course I can read. Everyone in my family can...

Oh, see if you can read that stone marker.

CROSSING TO ITSUKUSHIMA

You've found your way to Itsukushima!

The shrine on the sea built long ago

by the Heike commander, Kiyomori.

Hard to believe he's blind.

I've been traveling with this boy

since he left Dan-no-ura two years ago.

Oh, you've come a long way, then.

Tomona here is searching

for the hidden villages of the Heike.

He believes there are untold stories to be found there.

I wouldn't mind finding them myself, if I can.

Best be careful with that. The last biwa priests

who uncovered new Heike stories are gone now.

Cut down. In the middle

of the streets of the capital.

Dozens of them.

And not one survived.

Is that so?

Some might call that a bad omen.

And the culprit still hasn't been found, either.

They say it was some kind of bloodthirsty spirit.

Well, we must be careful then.

Ah! Stop!

That tickles!

No, no, no! Can't you get it right?!

When I'm gone, you two will inherit

leadership of the Hie-za!

To do that, you must be the best!

Do it again!

No! No! From the top! Again!

Huh? Huh?

Uh, uh, uh...

Ah... wow. Huh!

Ha ha! Yeah!

The hell?!

What is that thing?

A child?

It can't be.

- A gourd? - Worn as a mask?

Oh, look at all these kids.

I-I'm gonna grab 'em, and I'm gonna take 'em with me!

Yeah!

Whoa!

Creepy.

What the hell is it?

- Goodness me! - It's not human!

That smell brings back memories. [Kyoto]

It's been a long while.

Over ten years since

- I last came to the capital. - Welcome back.

That odor is the smell of constant conflict and arson.

Nothing ever seems to change.

The Ashikaga Shogun does not have a strong hold

- on this region. Ah! - Here ya go.

The delightful smell of the capital, I can't get enough!

Enjoy.

- Get on with it! - Now!

Come on.

Let's go!

- Pull! Pull! Pull! - Go!

It's been settled.

He may now use "ichi" in his name.

Thank you so much, Master.

- Hasuichi. - Yes.

Every biwa priest that's a member of this guild

takes the "ichi" from Master Kakuichi's name.

Tomona will now be known as Tomoichi.

No, no! You can't do that!

Uh, what do you mean I can't?

Tomona?

Who are you talking to?

Uh, no one at all.

TOMOICHI

TOMONA

Okay, what's the problem?

If you change your name, I won't be able to find you.

Your name is all I can see.

The only way I can join the guild

is for them to call me Tomoichi.

But your name is Tomona! You're Tomona of Dan-no-ura!

Who?! Why?! Tell me why!

You gotta set us free.

Use those arms and legs. Avenge your family!

Huh?

- Fire! - Fire!

- Fire! - Fire!

W-What is that?! A gourd?!

It took my sword!

Behold the dreadful gourd.

It's some kind of monster!

I've got your sword!

- Get away! - You want it?

- Give it back! - Come and get it.

It's right here.

You monster!

I am the invincible gourd.

Hey, move, move, move, move, move, move,

move, move, move, move!

Hey! You're in the gourd's way!

Move!

I'm warning you.

Don't make me take my mask off.

You're wearing a mask?

Yeah.

What happens when you take it off?

You'll see. You're in for a shock!

- Well? - Have you taken the mask off?

Yeah. This is my face.

What do you think? Take a good hard look.

I can't see.

- Huh? - Yeah, sorry.

That means, I didn't need the mask to begin with?

Uh, I guess not.

Ooh, a biwa!

Do you know how to play it?

Hmm. Of course.

- You're good. - I know.

Never heard this one.

I just play what I hear.

- I love it! - Well, then it's not over.

Here.

- Got a name? - Yeah, it's called manju.

Mmm. Good, right?

It is.

But I was asking what your name is.

Eh, what's yours?

- My name is... - Tomona!

Your name is Tomona!

My name is Tomona. Or, uh, I guess, Tomoichi.

Who? Why? Tell me why! Who?! Why?!

- Tell me why! - Oh, you're with Kakuichi, huh?

He's got ties with the shogun,

so that group will just keep growing.

So what's your name?

- I don't have one. - Huh?

You don't have a name? What do they call you?

Huh. Nobody calls me anything.

See ya around, Tomoichi. Or is it Tomona?

Tomoichi, I think. Tomoichi!

Because I'm with the Kakuichi guild!

H-Hey! Hold on! How do I find you if you don't have a name?

What am I supposed to call you?!

I've actually picked a name for myself.

Huh? You picked your own name?

Yeah! I know exactly what I'm going to call myself!

And some day the world will know it.

'Cause I'll be the star of the Hie-za!

[Buddhist chant]

GRAVE OF ASHIKAGA TAKAUJI

TOMOICHI

A delightful performance, Teiichi.

It pleases me and my late grandfather, as well.

Although I'm certain he's getting impatient with my failed

efforts to unify the Northern and Southern Courts.

I have faith that you'll succeed someday soon, Lord Yoshimitsu.

Good of you to come, Kan'ami. Fujiwaka.

Thank you, Shogun, for having us.

It is our greatest honor and privilege to perform

for you and your late grandfather.

We cannot express the extent of our joy.

Well, then why don't you start the performance?

The music is exquisite.

And I'm sure the dance is as well.

Kan'ami and Fujiwaka are said to be the best

sarugaku performers in the entire world.

I thought I'd heard that of the Hie-za.

Hie-za is for the masses, but Kanze is for those of culture.

That much is evident by the shogun's

fondness for Fujiwaka's skill and beauty.

You look like frogs wrestling!

How can you hope to compete with Fujiwaka?!

- We're sorry, father! - Sorry!

- Forgive us, please! - Apology not accepted!

Sorry! So Sorry!

You must practice like your lives depend on it! Do it again!

It's not enough. It has to be beautiful!

The ultimate beauty.

- Yes, Father! - Of course, Father!

Uh...

- Father! - Father!

What do you think you're practicing for?

You'll never perform on a stage with that

unsightly arm of yours!

You're a hideous monster!

Before I can rise a star

I've got to dive in

Before the beast I set free

Can go to sleep

Hmm.

I've never understood it.

My back is covered in scales.

And my mouth isn't where it should be.

Neither are my eyes.

I can't even see through a normal mask.

But check out this arm!

Who else can do things like this?

But I can't perform with the Hie-za

because of the way I look.

Oh, stop complaining.

Legs. Chest. Belly.

Every time I perform a new dance, it seems...

another part of my body changes as if it's being set free.

What do you suppose that's all about?

Hmm. Sounds to me like a curse.

- A curse? - Could be the work of spirits.

Oh, that may be what it looks like,

but I sure don't know any spirits.

Of course you don't, neither do I.

Wait. Yes, I do!

There's one spirit I can talk to.

Papa! Are you there?

Papa! It's Tomoichi! How've you been?!

Hello!

Wait? Can you see him or what?

Oh, right, he can't find me because of this name.

Papa! It's Tomona!

Tomona of Dan-no-ura!

It's your son!

Papa! Are you out there?!

Can you hear me?!

- Tomona? - Whoa. You're so small.

How have you been?

I'm a spirit. What kind of question is that?

Good point.

I told you if you changed your name I couldn't find you.

Huh? You are Tomona of Dan-no-ura!

You probably don't know but your mother passed away.

But she's moved on.

She died in peace.

She did? I'm glad to hear that.

I don't think I can stick around much longer.

- So take care of yourself! - Wait just a moment.

There's something I need to ask you!

Are there any spirits around here?

- You're looking at one. - Yeah, I know.

Any others?

Uh, okay. Hmm.

Yes, there are. They're all around us.

Are there any around him?

There are many.

Heike samurai possessing him because they can't rest.

Heike spirits? Heike?

All right, take care now.

I hear them. C-Can you hear them?

This is amazing!

- Can you see them? - Yeah.

In fact, I think I've been hearing their voices

ever since the day I was born.

So, what's troubling you?

Tell me! I'm listening.

Huh? Oh-ho-ho.

Oh-ho-ho! Ah, ah.

Incredible! I know exactly what you're saying.

I'll listen to your stories. One at a time.

I'll listen to every one of them.

Your stories will finally be heard!

Bear with me, I have a new tale I'd like

to sing for all of you today.

- A new tale? - Did he say new?

- He's acting strange. - Look at his hair.

What's that smell?

It's the scent of a prostitute.

You're about to hear a story of a man.

A man who was searching for buried tales of the Heike.

There was a child born cursed

Surrounded by despair and sorrow

He took his meals on the ground with the animals

Eating with a face that looked like a dog's dinner

The spirits of the fallen Heike

Follow him everywhere he goes

A curse is lifted with each story he finds

The beast becomes a boy

What a strange fate

Hmm?

The cursed boy of the Hie-za

Now takes the stage

Under the bridge at Rokujo

To begin his tale

Let's see how it ends

Let's see how it ends

Let's see how it ends

Let's see how it ends

Hie-za?

- That's what I heard. - Is that true?

Does he really have another son?

Who is he?

I thought Hie-za was at the shrine.

Yeah, they are.

At least that's where the old man's performing.

So who's at this bridge in Rokujo?

Someone else?

Does the leader have a third son?

Competing against his father?

- A showdown. - Yeah. Let's go.

That's Hie-za's leader.

Wrong place. They said it was under the bridge.

At the river?

Another Hie-za performance.

- I-I hear it's really good. - Let's get over there. Hurry up!

The spirits gather round him

In their search for eternal rest

He sings the tales

Of the lost and the wretched

A child brought into the world with no name

Crying among voices of despair and misery

He stands on his own stage

And dances unfettered

Just the way he is

Maybe he's not so different from us after all

Rising from the darkness

And climbing up to the sky

To write a tale in the stars

Let the world know your name

Come on, people

Let's see how it ends

This is our tale

Let's see how it ends

Let the world know your name

My name is Inu-oh.

"The Burial Mound of Arms."

By me.

Here we go!

In 1184, at the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani.

Heike Commander Tadanori's right arm was chopped off

below the elbow.

As was his head!

His arm was taken

And so was his head

Tadanori led a cavalry of 100

But every one of them turned and ran!

That's right! A motley crew of 100

Every single one of them fled for the shore

No... It isn't true... Look over here...

At this persimmon tree

The tree is bare now

But one day fruit will grow

Who fled by ship?

And where are the Heike troops?!

Where?

Ow!

Let me see your hands!

Put your fists in the air!

Hey, hey...

1,000 warriors in the water

Trying to board a fleeing ship... We're going down!

They chopped off the arms

That clung to the sides of the ship

But their cruelty was in vain

The sea had the ship in its grasp

The many arms that reached up

Were cut off by those above them

Let go! Don't let go!

All that was left of the soldiers

Were their arms hanging from the ship

Only their arms!

To think that Tadanori's guards

Had turned and run

They ran... Turn back!

Hurry back to Lord Tadanori

But they were already too late

They found no head and no body

Only his right arm remained

Unable to save their lord

All they could do was gather up

The countless arms that washed ashore in sorrow

And mourn the souls that had been lost

They begged the dead for forgiveness

But how could they ever redeem themselves?

The arms of 1,000 fallen soldiers

And the arm of Lord Tadanori!

They built a burial mound for the arms

And prayed the dead would find peace...

Now clap!

From the branches of the persimmon tree

Grew 1,000 arms

This is the Burial Mound of Arms

And this is where we begin!

Huh?

- Inu-oh? - Yeah.

The guy can move like nothing you've ever seen before.

And he has the best voice I've ever heard.

He gets the whole audience to clap their hands

and move to the beat and sometimes everyone sings along.

Hie-za's leader is good but he's no Inu-oh.

That's right, the old man is old news.

Inu-oh's too exciting.

I can't wait to go see Inu-oh.

- Truly amazing. - I had a lot of fun.

He gets the whole crowd to go wild.

He never takes off his mask.

From what I hear, you can't find anything

like it anywhere else.

The spirits of fallen warriors dance and sing along.

Spirits?

The Heike tell their stories through him

and dance with him.

Well, that is new.

And the music is great.

It's got a strong beat, it's so captivating!

So good!

It really makes you want to dance.

It's Inu-oh!

We have to go to Kiyomizu!

It's Inu-oh! He's from Hie-za, too, and he's performing!

Yeah!

- Let's go see Inu-oh! - Inu-oh's the best!

Best show around Talk of the town

A monstrous arm becomes a human arm

Was it really a curse?

What's gonna change next?

Ah!

The fallen Heike gather round him

In their search for eternal rest

He listens to them and tells their stories

Dancing and singing

As only he can

Even the leader of the Hie-za

Can only watch from the shadows

Inu-oh climbs into the sky

How far do you think he can go?

Let's see how it ends

Come on, people

Let's see how it ends

Hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, let's see how it ends

A one-time performance

Never the same story twice

"Burial Mound of Arms," "Shigemori"

What's he gonna do next?

You don't want to miss it

Hey, let's see how it ends

Come on, everybody

Let's see how it ends

Ow!

Hey, you. Hey.

Are you seeing this?

You're watching, aren't you?

Yeah. I can see you, too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah!

Scales on his back, hair on his chest

But maybe that'll change right before our eyes

Just one time, a one-time performance

The moment we've been waiting for

This is our moment

Ow!

This is our moment!

- There you are. - I couldn't wait.

- We dance along with him, right? - Rumor has it he's cursed.

INU-OH

Look!

"The Whale."

By Inu-oh.

1185, Dan-no-ura.

Heike Chief Commander Munemori sees Genji troops

approaching, and calls for a diviner.

Inu-oh!

Inu-oh!

- Inu-oh! - Inu-oh!

A huge, huge whale

A huge whale is coming

Your turn!

A huge, huge, huge whale

A huge whale is coming

He stakes it all on 1,000 dolphins

If they turn and swim back the Heike win at Dan-no-ura

Yeah! A huge, huge, huge whale

Sing it!

A huge whale is coming

The dolphins will show us who fortune favors

Whose side will you take, dolphins? What's the future hold?

Ha ha! A huge, huge, huge whale

Come on! A huge whale is coming

Everybody now!

A huge, huge, huge whale

A huge whale

A huge whale is coming

Inu-oh!

Inu-oh!

- Munemori! - Munemori!

Hey! Hey!

- Hey! Hey! - Munemori!

- Munemori! - Munemori!

Mun-e-mori!

- Munemori! - Munemori!

- Munemori! - Hey!

Tired of waiting for the 100-year whale

1,000 dolphins that turned away from the Heike

Sing it! The whale didn't come

The whale didn't come!

The Heike have fallen... But it isn't over!

You think I'd let the story end here?

The whale is yet to come

The whale is yet to come

I've been waiting and waiting

100 years for the whale to return

1,000 dolphins, 10,000 dolphins

Waiting 100 years for the dolphins to come

Waiting for the day they swim back

From the distant shore across the sea

We've been waiting for so long

Still waiting for the whale to come

Because I still believe

No matter how long it takes

How...

Waiting for it to come

Still waiting for it to come

Waiting for it to come

Singing until the whale comes

Ow!

Whale!

Yeah!

Why is he calling himself Inu-oh?

And how could he do this?!

I'm supposed to be the star of the Hie-za!

The whole thing was my creation!

All of its accomplishments belong to me!

Who told him all these new stories?

Where could he have found them?!

It's not biwa anymore, he's taken it too far.

Tomoichi's getting carried away.

And he wears makeup, dresses like a prostitute.

He's giving us a bad name. Polluting what we stand for.

It's unforgivable!

I can't believe he's letting his hair grow so long.

It's unbecoming. Biwa priests shave their heads.

Have you seen them?

- No. But I've heard. - Master Teiichi!

I would love to see it.

See how far they'll go.

I find it very exciting, don't you?

You won't even remove your mask at a party?

Don't you know Inu-oh's story?

Apparently he's hideous.

Oh, that's just a publicity stunt,

it's all part of the show.

You, sir, are correct.

W-Wha...?

The story of Inu-oh is fiction.

In truth, the face hiding under this mask

is devastatingly handsome.

If that's so, then why hide it under the mask?

Why wouldn't I?

Because even my handsome face... is just another mask.

What does that mean?

It means everything is fiction.

So are you handsome under there or not?

Surely we won't have to wait

much longer to find out, will we?

What's the rush?

Don't you wanna drink?

I don't care for parties.

You should get a new biwa.

How long are you going to keep strumming that old beetle?

I happen to like this biwa.

You know, I think I finally get it.

The Heike spirits aren't a curse.

They're not trying to make me suffer.

All they want is... to let the world know they were here.

I think they just want to be acknowledged.

That's all they're after.

And we're helping. And I'll keep going.

I'll sing their songs, and tell their stories.

That's how we honor their memory.

It seems like the more hell we raise,

the louder they get when they cry out in joy.

They're just saying, "We're here."

We are here, aren't we?

Inu-oh, I've decided.

I'll keep singing "The Inu-oh Chapters."

I'll spread them everywhere.

But I'm going to do it under a new name.

Tomoari.

Tomo... ari?

Yeah. A name that means: "We're here."

You and me, we're both right here.

Ha.

Oh... I like that.

Music that will get you on your feet TOMOARI'S TROUPE

and make your body move!

Biwa and taiko like you've never heard!

They're the talk of the town: the troupe of Tomoari!

Twists and turns galore!

These are "The Inu-oh Chapters"!

Sit back, and enjoy the show!

What's this new biwa music I'm hearing about?

That's the Tomoari troupe.

He decided to leave our guild and create his own.

His innovative music is gaining quite

the following all across the country.

I wonder how far and wide it will...

That's no good.

No good at all.

We will be unifying the courts very soon.

Before long, the Imperial Regalia will finally be ours.

And when that happens, the shogunate's power

must be undisputably absolute.

Master Kakuichi's tale of the Heike

will be the only version people hear.

Uh...

The stories everyone knows already.

We'll be just fine without any new ones.

Uh...

The last thing we need

is for a new movement to start up.

The people need to put all their faith in the Ashikaga.

Is that clear, Teiichi?

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu will be holding

a party in Kitayama soon.

He's expressed his desire for the Hie-za to perform.

I am unworthy of such a great honor.

To be invited to perform for the shogun himself,

after dedicating so many years to my craft...

No, not you. Inu-oh.

INU-OH

But, sir. I am the lead performer of the Hie-za.

As I understand it, Inu-oh's following

has grown much larger than yours.

The request for Inu-oh comes from Nariko, the shogun's wife.

Otherwise, I'm sure the Kanze troupe

would've been invited as usual.

Because Kanze is the shogun's favorite style, after all.

There's something you must tell me.

Rumor has it that hiding under the mask Inu-oh wears

is the hideous face of a monster.

We'd like to know if that's true.

- He's, um... - Because you should know,

Lady Nariko is with child right now.

And we have to take that into consideration.

She's in no condition to see anything disturbing.

If anything were to happen to her,

the person responsible would have to be executed on the spot.

Do we understand each other?

Yes, that makes all the sense in the world.

- Inu-oh, that's amazing! - The shogun himself.

The shogun has made one more demand of you,

and it's very important to him.

You must perform your final act without the mask.

He says he wishes to see the face

that's hidden beneath it.

He's used to watching Kanze performances,

and Fujiwaka is so handsome,

he often dances without a mask at all.

Yes, but Inu-oh can't!

And if I refuse?

Then they'll rescind the offer.

But if they see how hideous your face is,

you may lose your head entirely. Hmm.

- You're better off not... - I understand.

I'll accept.

- And I'll do as he says. - Uh...

On one condition.

I want a biwa player.

Now the time is drawing near

For the man born into a life of curses to shine like the star he is

A dance before the shogun

A once-in-a-lifetime performance

Sing, dance, go wild

Ow!

Deliver peace to every last Heike spirit

With the performance to end all performances

Come and see how it ends

He's taking his mask off at the end.

I hear he's quite handsome.

He's finally going to show his face.

- The mask is coming off. - I hear he's hideous.

We're about to find out. All will be revealed.

INU-OH

You hear he's taking off his mask in the final act?

We're going to see his real face.

I can hardly wait.

What an honor for a biwa priest

to perform at an event like this.

It seems Master Teiichi taught his student well.

- Inu-oh! - Inu-oh!

Inu-oh!

- Inu-oh! - Inu-oh!

- Inu-oh! - Look over here!

- Inu-oh! - Inu-oh!

Do you think we're going to see the dragon this time?

Please don't get so excited, my dear.

You're in a delicate condition.

But Inu-oh is about to perform for us.

How can I sit still? Everybody loves him!

From commoners to aristocrats and even the samurai!

You should support him more.

You want to keep him on our side.

Better than obsessing over Fujiwaka.

The spirits are more excited than usual.

They know it ends here. This is it.

Either they finally find their peace, or I lose my head.

Either way, it's over.

For us, this could be our last show.

Come on. We're only just getting started here.

The spirits will find peace soon enough,

but we've still got a long way to go.

Inu-oh!

- Inu-oh! - Inu-oh!

No matter what happens, you and I are both right here.

Everyone put a fist in.

Now let's do this!

Yeah!

"The Dragon Commander." By Inu-oh.

The moon's getting close to the sun.

Your body drifts

Out to sea

Past, present, and future...

Become one

Are you alive?

Or are you dead?

Like a spirit

Unable to find your way

Try to remember

Your name

Commander of the Heike

Remember who you were

Dreams and illusions

Beyond the Palace of the Dragon King

Truth and loyalty

What did they mean?

We cannot allow you to go out there.

This is Hie-za's stage right now.

You threw yourself into the sea

Believing you would find

The Palace of the Dragon King

If you seek peace

With faith unwavering

You'll find your way

What's wrong? The spirits aren't moving on.

- Why? - What are we missing?

Why can't they find peace?

There's another story.

One we still need to find.

There's only one path to the dream

This is the way of the Heike

Forgotten memories of the fallen clan

Saved by a monster and a blind priest

- It's time - To dream

Dare to seek

- A dream - So bold

- It makes you laugh - Out loud

Where are the voices? Why can't I hear them?

- Answer! - Answer us!

What is it?

What is it?

Something's keeping you here

Break through! Break through!

The time has come to reveal the truth!

Dive deep and find it!

The stories of the regalia are true.

There really is a curse.

We'll just have to keep it hidden.

This is what the shogun needs.

To unify our nation.

It's terrifying.

But he can't bring the courts together without the regalia.

I already know this story.

Show me Inu-oh's.

What's going on in the capital tonight?

Wicked thoughts, murder plots, dreamed up wars

Severed heads, empty beds, cruel and hungry lords

Much ado about nothing

[20 years ago]

No, no, no! It's not enough!

This isn't what I want!

What is it you do want?

What do you desire?

I want...

I want to be the greatest star alive!

If that is your wish...

I shall give you special stories to tell.

In the secret villages

where the last of the Heike survive...

they are hidden.

Tales of greatness beyond your wildest dreams.

Sealed away from the world.

The biwa priests have been there,

and uncovered these stories.

But they can be yours if you so desire.

A simple trade: one story for each priest.

They're mine.

They're all mine!

Mine and mine alone!

It's not enough.

It's still not enough.

I need you to give me more stories!

I'd be happy to.

For a price.

Give me the radiant innocence of your unborn child.

You can't!

That is all I ask of you.

No, don't!

Go on, take it.

You can have whatever you want!

Stop! He'll die!

Inu-oh will die!

How could you do this?

Help him!

Somebody! Please!

Someone help!

- We found it. - Yes, we did.

Did you see it?

Yeah. Everything.

Even memories

Float among dreams

This is where the Heike are found

In a tale of dreams

We gather here to sing

The Dragon and Beast Sutra

Our song all we have

To reach the palace under the sea

No. This isn't right.

I should be on that stage!

Why? Why not me?!

Why that monster?!

I'm the star! I should shine the brightest!

What's the matter?

Are you not the brightest star?

I'm not, but I should be! This is all wrong!

Then tell me: do you wish for more?

Of course I do! Get rid of that monster!

Are you referring to the child you gave to me?

Yes! Destroy him!

Is it there?

Is it there? Is it there? Is it there?

The palace is there

Get rid of that monster now!

You made a promise to me.

Are you taking it back?

You're telling me to destroy what you've already given to me.

It is you who shall be destroyed instead.

The Palace of the Dragon King

It's there, it's there, the palace is there

No longer lost

After waiting so long

To be found by the seekers

Delivered by song

We've finally reached the Palace of the Dragon King

Our hearts

Here together as one

- Hurry up, let's go! - This way!

Today, by decree of the shogun, Tomoari's troupe is disbanded!

These so-called new Heike songs are an affront to his glory!

- Master Tomoari! - Move it!

Get out of the way!

Stand back!

Move! Out of the way!

- Everyone stand back! - Quiet!

Hear this: Kakuichi's troupe is the only guild

recognized by the shogun!

From now on, only the official songs

are permitted to be performed!

Please, no!

We ask forgiveness!

Wha...?

Master Teiichi!

- Watch it! - Master Teiichi!

Master Teiichi! Master Teiichi!

Tomoari?

It's my troupe. The samurai are after them!

Why aren't we allowed to sing our songs anymore?

What did we do to deserve this?

Master Kakuichi has completed the definitive

book of the Heike.

From now on, the only stories we can tell

are the ones that are written in that book.

But what was wrong with our songs?

This is the will of the shogunate.

No. Those songs are Inu-oh's stories.

And my story is singing them; they're ours!

How can they just take them away from us?!

Tomoari, I understand you're upset,

but change your name and come back to us.

My name is Tomoari! I chose it for myself for a reason.

Because "We are here!"

Inu-oh has agreed to this.

He will never perform the new Heike,

nor will he tell his own story ever again.

- Don't fight it. - Liar!

I don't believe you.

Those are our stories!

Those songs belong to us!

- Tomo! - He's made his choice.

Tomoari!

No!

- Tomoari! - No! No, no!

Your troupe is hereby disbanded.

- No, no, no, no, no, no! - And you are under arrest.

- Come with us! - No!

Let's go!

Hurry, tell them. Tell them you're Tomoichi now.

Do not resist!

This is Tomoichi!

Of the Kakuichi guild!

Stop the violence. Come now, Master Kakuichi's

in charge here.

Please stop! He won't perform any music

that's not in the book again!

My name is Tomoari!

And I tell the stories of the lost spirits!

Tomoichi! Your name is Tomoichi!

You have to tell them!

- Hurry! - Just stop!

I will not let you take our stories away!

- No. - Taniichi?

- Taniichi? - Tani...

He got in the way.

- Taniichi! - Taniichi!

Taniichi!

My brother!

How could you do this?

- I am Tomoari! - Stop! Tomoichi!

- I won't run away and hide! - Stop.

- I decide what my name is! - Stop. Stop this, Tomoichi!

No one else! No one!

No one can take that away from me!

Stop, please! Please!

Let me go. Let me go!

Let me go! Taniichi!

Brothers!

We finally have flowers here that dance

as beautifully as you do, Inu-oh.

My lord.

Your performance was incredibly powerful.

Truthfully, it was too magnificent for this world.

You are most kind, my lord.

However, Inu-oh, your Heike stories take too many liberties.

No more of that.

You my use only Kakuichi's stories from now on.

With all due respect, Shogun, the stories I perform are...

Tomoari's troupe has been disbanded.

The songs of Inu-oh must not be performed.

Therefore, the biwa priests who perform them must be stopped.

You understand.

To attain unity, we must first have order.

Do not see that biwa priest again.

And what happens if I refuse to surrender

the stories that I lived and suffered for?

Do you wish to see that priest of yours beheaded?

Of course, I'll gladly forget about them all.

No one shall hear those stories ever again.

As for the priest, he and I are finished, as well.

From now on, my lord, I will only perform for you.

Inu-oh is yours. I'll dance for your eyes only.

Splendid. I'd hate to be deprived of seeing you dance.

My lord!

"The Inu-oh Chapters" were banned

by the same shogun who wanted the Imperial Regalia...

The despicable Ashikaga who stole

my father's life and my mother's dreams.

Who's out there?

I-I don't know, sir.

What's that you've got in your hand? Not once, but twice...

He robbed me of my light.

Hmm.

That biwa priest wants me to take him to the shogun's grave.

Hmm?

May the gods punish the Ashikaga!

Punish him!

Don't let anyone know you spoke to him.

Listen, everybody. Listen.

Listen to my voice.

Let it never be forgotten.

My name...

No matter what happens to me my true name is...

And shall always be...

Tomona of Dan-no-ura!

INU-OH WENT ON TO BECOME THE GREATEST PERFORMER OF HIS TIME

YET HIS NAME HAS SINCE BEEN FORGOTTEN

AND ALL OF HIS SONGS ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN LOST.

AS FOR YOUNG FUJIWAKA, HE WOULD LATER CHANGE HIS NAME TO ZEAMI

AND HIS MANY SONGS AND TREATISES HAVE SHAPED NOH AS IT IS KNOWN TODAY.

♪ A long, long time ago ♪

♪ How long has it been? ♪

♪ So long, longer than we know ♪

I don't know how long it's been.

But I'm here, and have been, for so long.

I've been looking for you.

For 600 years.

You're Tomona again.

No wonder it was so hard to find you.

Here you are.

You chose that name for yourself, didn't you?

Because we're both here, right?

Remember, Tomoari?

Inu...

You still have that old beetle?

Can you play it?

Of course I can.

- Nice. - I know.

Nothing's changed.

- Not at all. - This is great.

Let's keep it going!

Inu-oh!

Tomoari!

Inu-oh!

Tomoari!

Inu-oh!

Tomoari!

Inu-oh!

Tomoari!

Avu-chan (Queen Bee) Mirai Moriyama

Original Work THE TALE OF THE HEIKE: THE INU-OH CHAPTERS

Written by Hideo Furukawa Published by KAWADE SHOBO SHINSHA Ltd. Publishers

Screenplay Akiko Nogi

Character Creation Taiyo Matsumoto

Music Otomo Yoshihide

Animation Supervisors Yoshimichi Kameda, Satoshi Nakano

Character Designer Nobutake Ito

Assistant Director Fuga Yamashiro

Animation Directors: Shuto Enomoto, Kenji Zemba, Tokuyuki Matsutake, Takashi Mukoda

Atsuko Fukushima, Yasuhiro Nakura, Hideo Harigaya, Toshihiko Masuda, Nobutake Ito

Art Director Hideki Nakamura

Color Coordinator Yuko Kobari

Director of Photography Yoshihiro Sekiya

Editor Kiyoshi Hirose

Sound Director Eriko Kimura

Sound Effect Katsuhiro Nakano

Sound Recording Takeshi Imaizumi

Historical Background Supervisor Yoshihiko Sata

Noh Supervisor Keizo Miyamoto

Noh Performance Supervisor Hirotada Kamei

Biwa Supervisor & Composer Yukihiro Goto

Presented by "INU-OH" Film Partners

Domestic Distribution by Aniplex, Asmik Ace

Animation Production Science SARU

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa

English Subtitles by Annie Iwasaki Translation Editor David Boyd