Birth of Kitaro, The: Mystery of GeGeGe (2023)

[bunniefuu]

I've finally found him!

The urban legend,

Yokai Boy GeGeGe no Kitaro.

The secret of his birth!

Huh?

Please turn back.

What?

I can't guarantee your safety

beyond this point.

H-Hey, Kitaro.

I have something I need to ask you.

I warned you.

Nagura...?

A persistent journalist, isn't he?

Mother...

Well?

There's hardly anything...

I see... It has been 70 years.

So the time has finally come.

That man may also be here today.

My magazine is going

out of print after this issue.

If I could just get this article

for the last one!

A ghost town? This deep in the mountains?

T-This is getting interesting!

Kitaro?

Kitaro?!

Ouch...

Help me!

Hello?

What's this?

What is this place?

Ah, ouch, ouch...

Help me...

T-The master of the house!

1956 (SHOWA 31), TOKYO

What! Not old man Tokisada Ryuga?!

It hasn't leaked

to anyone else yet, has it?

Alright, got it.

I'll be right back.

The Ryuga family...

Whoever becomes the family head

will hold tremendous power.

The battle for succession will be fierce.

We should build a relationship

with the new family head.

Who will it be, I wonder?

Ideally, Ryuga Pharmaceuticals' Katsunori,

but he married into the family.

It'll be Katsunori.

Mizuki! Don't just waltz in!

The true heir Tokimaro has health problems

and hasn't been seen in public for years.

Katsunori was well-trusted by Tokisada

and I heard he was promised the position.

That's right, you're in charge

of the Ryuga Pharmaceuticals account.

President Katsunori always treats me well.

Let me go. I'll make sure

President Katsunori becomes family head.

But you don't even know

where the Ryuga household...

Nagura Village.

Katsunori let it slip

when we were drinking together.

H-Have you been there before?

No, I haven't.

If I leave now on the overnight,

I can be there by noon tomorrow.

Please let me go.

Why not?

I entrust the fate of our company to you.

Thank you very much.

Speaking of Ryuga,

they have you-know-what.

Of course, I will look into it.

Alright, go.

President! That village is...

Let's pray for a safe return this time.

The President and Section Chief think

I'm nothing more than a disposable pawn.

Ryuga Pharma got big during

the Sino and Russo-Japanese wars,

and gained even greater success

during the Pacific w*r.

Old man Tokisada was the key player

in all that. A self-made man.

His driving force? "You-know-what."

The Ryuga family is full of mysteries.

But that's why, if I can

work my way into their inner circle,

I will gain an advantage in my company.

I'll become an executive for sure.

Before they can dispose of me,

I'll work my way up.

You there. You have one foot in the grave.

Beyond this point, hell is waiting.

I can see it.

I can see that which can't be seen.

You're talking nonsense, old man.

Even now, behind you,

there are many haunting you.

Ouch!

That's impossible...

You're a curious one.

Going all the way

to such a remote mountain village.

Even people around here

don't go near that place.

I can't survive if I do

what everyone else does.

"Survive"?

I don't want to die.

There are some who shamelessly survived.

What?

The cowards. They were afraid of death!

We announced we'd fight to the last man.

We can't have any survivors.

Send them back in!

Just past this tunnel is Nagura Village.

NAGURA TUNNEL

That's...

Do you need help?

Ah, your sandal strap broke.

That's tough. Give it here. I'll fix it.

But...

Here.

Pardon me, but you are...?

I've come from Tokyo.

My company is a business partner

of Ryuga Pharmaceuticals.

From Tokyo?

Let's see.

That must be tiring.

Rest your hand on my shoulder.

It's okay, you can put your foot here.

Pardon me.

How does it feel?

It seems alright.

Sayo!

Tokiya!

Oh my, you startled me.

Is it okay for you to be outside?

You're the outsider, aren't you?

"Outsider"?

Tokiya!

Everyone was talking about it.

They said an outsider came to the village.

Hey, where did you come from?

A-Ah. My name is Mizuki.

I came from Tokyo.

Tokyo?! Wowee!

Hey, have you seen Kawakami play?

Tokiya, you'll startle our guest.

Anyway, if you get too excited,

you're going to get a fever again.

C'mon... I'm fine...

I'm going to be staying here for a while,

so let's talk if we have another chance.

I'll tell you about Kawakami's 2000th hit.

- Really?

- Uh-huh!

- Miss... Sayo?

- Yes?

How can I get to the Ryuga estate?

Go straight along this road.

Ah, thank you.

See ya, kid.

Okay.

You too, Miss Sayo. If we have the chance.

Yes, Mr. Mizuki.

Can I help you with anything?

I-I'm from the Imperial Blood Bank.

My name is Mizuki.

I do business with Katsunori Ryuga...

Mizuki...

Oh, it is you, Mizuki!

President!

It's been too long since I saw you last.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

I see you rushed over right away.

At any rate, please come in.

Thank you for having me.

It must have been hard

to come all this way.

I wanted nothing more than to be here

to see the moment you become family head.

You're a bit ahead of yourself.

But I don't hate that briskness of yours.

Hey you, show him

to the guest cottage later on.

Y-Yes sir... but tonight is the okomori...

That's why you're showing him

to the cottage! Get it ready for him.

"Okomori"...?

It's an old Ryuga tradition.

Everyone shuts themselves away

to purify themselves before a funeral.

Since this is a rural village where

superstitions still make their presence felt.

I suppose you saw it coming here.

The shrine in the mountains.

Generations of Ryuga family heads have also

served as the head priest of that shrine.

Tokisada as well?

He was always there worshiping the god

of this land and doing strange rituals.

Honestly, I don't like this village.

- No need to hold back, come in.

- Sir.

There's a face I don't recognize.

He is my guest.

He's come from Tokyo to be a witness.

I am Mizuki from the Imperial Blood Bank.

The way he barges in

without any consideration for us,

that's certainly the sort of thing

a business associate of yours would do.

I am fully aware of the disrespect.

However, I could not stay away.

I can imagine how such a loss must feel.

You can imagine?

You think you can understand?

We are mourning the loss of our Father!

Madam.

President Katsunori's wife.

Tokisada's eldest daughter, Otome.

Hey, let's get started already.

My legs are starting to go numb!

Hinoe!

The second daughter, Hinoe.

She's changed a lot since that photo.

I heard she eloped when she was young,

but was brought back.

I'm sorry we're late.

Mister!

Oh my, you already know

him? Well, look at you!

Mother!

Hurry and sit down.

Tokiya's mother, Toshiko, is the third

daughter, married to the village chief.

Which means that man

must be the village chief, Osada.

Is everyone here now?

Tokimaro.

Tokimaro?

Tokimaro?! He's still alive and well?!

What's this all about?

This isn't what I heard, President...

Very well sir, please begin.

Yes. In accordance with the last

will and testament of Tokisada Ryuga,

I will now name

the new head of the Ryuga family.

"As the current head, Ryuga Tokisada,

I deliver the following to my descendants.

Firstly, to follow me

as the new Ryuga family head...

I designate my eldest son, Tokimaro.

Next, Tokimaro will adopt Tokiya Osada,

and when Tokiya comes of age,

he will succeed Tokimaro."

- Me?

- Tokiya!

"Next, Katsunori will remain

as the Ryuga Pharmaceuticals president.

However, his wife,

Otome, will be chairman,

and Otome will make the final decision

on all matters of company policy."

That is all.

"That is all"? N-Nonsense, you're lying!

After everything I have done

for the Ryuga family?!

He promised I was to be the head!

I can't believe you took

a verbal promise from my father to heart...

Give me that! That's a fake!

W-What are you doing?

More importantly, what about my share?

What about the branch family relatives?

Isn't there anything for us?

Move!

Out of the way.

Miss Sayo.

Mr. Mizuki...

Help me, please.

Naturally, I am on Katsunori's side.

Father...

I will... I will be so lonely...

without you, Father... I'll... I'll...

Father!

The family should begin okomori now.

Brother.

Just now, was... that what I think it was?

You are fit for the position, aren't you?

I have spent my life

training under Father.

I was not even allowed a wife.

Please. I'm begging you.

Sayo. What are you doing there? Come here.

Pardon me.

Mother.

Father...

What was that?

You the "guest from Tokyo"?

Oof! They told me to show you

to your room. Follow me!

I can't go back to Tokyo now.

Even so, President Katsunori

was naive for not closing the deal!

As was I, for depending on him.

It's been ten years.

I managed to stay alive.

I can't let that life go to waste.

Charge!

k*ll...

k*ll...

k*ll me!

Somebody! Somebody!

The head of the family,

during okomori, in the shrine...

K-Kiddo...?

Help me!

Tokimaro!

What is happening here?

Divine punishment...

Divine punishment...

The god of Nagura...

People of the estate!

I found a suspicious outsider

and brought him here!

Hey! Hurry and get up here!

It's him! He did this!

He's the one who k*lled the family head!

- That's right! That's right!

- He did it!

My, what a violent village.

I hate fighting.

How about this? We all take

a nice bath together and relax.

Shut up with that nonsense!

He's surely the one who brought

this calamity upon our village.

Hence, we'll exorcise the sin.

Exorcise?

Stop!

Please stop! Violence is not the answer.

Also, we don't have any evidence

that he's the culprit.

Japan is a country with laws.

Let's calm down.

President!

Enough with the jokes.

You're scaring our guest from Tokyo.

Ah, uh, sorry.

Let's call the police!

We should leave all this to the police!

The police won't come.

There was just a report of a landslide.

We're cut off

from the bottom of the mountain.

Isn't that right, Osada?

Yes, madam.

N-No mistake.

Yeah, yeah.

It must've been yesterday's ryukoku.

"Ryukoku"?

Oh, that.

That means

we're all stuck in this village?

Together with whoever k*lled Tokimaro?

Get in!

Mr. Mizuki, I'd like to ask you

to keep watch over this man.

Me?

It was your words

that decided his treatment.

Wouldn't you be worried

if you lost track of him?

I don't know about that...

I'll have some bedding

brought to you soon.

Damn it...

Just who are you?

What's your name?

If you won't tell me...

I'll call you "Gegero."

Can I have one?

Nope.

As I thought, I'm incapable...

Madam!

- What about those two?

- I've got them.

I'll dispose of them

when the time is right.

Don't arouse suspicion

from the people at the company.

Yes, I know.

It's kind of too bad, though.

That guy from Tokyo

kinda reminds me of Keiji Sada.

Hinoe.

I know. I won't waste them.

Who would do such a thing...

The pit is getting rowdy.

At this rate, it'll only last

for about three days.

Three days...

We must have Tokiya succeed as the head.

Big sister, my son isn't well.

You're caring for him inadequately!

Listen. You'll bring Tokiya to me

within the next three days. If you don't...

Tokiya!

It's still a secret, but

I hear they're going to build

the world's tallest radio tower in Tokyo.

Wow! I can't believe Japan's going to be

number one in the world!

Are you okay? Just like we promised,

let's get you back to bed.

Ever since Grandfather died,

I've gotten worse.

Uncle Tokimaro died too,

it might be my turn next.

Don't be silly.

It's the scientific era now.

Something bad happening to them

has nothing to do with you.

I wonder if I can see

the world's tallest radio tower someday.

Of course, you'll be able to see it!

Not just a radio tower either!

Japan will get wealthier and wealthier.

And when you're grown up,

there will be no more w*r or poverty,

and it'll be possible to fix any disease.

It'll be a happy country.

- Really?

- Yeah.

Mister, do you think so too?

I'm Gegero. That's what that man calls me.

Mister Gegero?

Ah, hey.

I wonder if I really will

be able to see that future.

Yeah, perhaps if kids like you,

who are going to build the future,

sincerely wish it to happen.

But...

But?

But there are those who don't want change.

They fear it and try to crush it.

That conflict will spin

the threads of the ages...

Sorry, I don't really understand.

How can you talk like that with a child?

It's better than pretense.

What are you calling "pretense"?!

Pretense is pretense.

What?!

Uh, okay. I understand

that it's going to be tough.

That means it'll be worth the effort!

Right?

Smart kid.

Thank you! I have to get healthy first!

Yes. See you tomorrow.

We made the boy uneasy.

But you sure talk a lot

when the other person is a kid.

I just don't talk to people

who aren't worth talking to.

If you didn't k*ll the family head, then why

did you come all the way to this village?

If you tell me, I'll let you out of there.

Really?

I don't lie.

We're both outsiders in this village.

Let's talk heart-to-heart.

I guess I have no choice.

That was easy.

I came because I'm looking for something.

Looking for something?! Surely not M?!

"M"? What's that?

Never mind then.

I'm looking for my wife.

What? Your wife ran away on you?

That's not it!

We were separated due to circumstances,

and I've been looking for her for years.

Let me have a look.

She's beautiful...

But why this village?

I heard from an old friend

that they felt her presence here.

Her presence, huh?

He's just a loser.

No use to anyone.

I told you. Now let me out.

Huh? Ah, tomorrow.

You tricked me?

You certainly don't seem like a k*ller.

You're too friendly.

Hang on! What's going on, Gegero!

Did he escape?! Gegero!

How did he do this? But...

I have to get him before they find out.

I see.

Gegero?

Gegero!

Wasn't there another person here?

Oh, you could see it?

Why don't you join me?

Get out of there! How did you escape?

Something like that is easy!

A jailbreak?

I was going to go and convince them

to let you go free today.

sh*t...

The weather's clearing up.

There's no time.

Just listen to me a little. Please.

Fine. I was really enjoying my bath.

I owe you one!

What was that?

It's a cord woven from

the spirit hair of my ancestors.

Are you a magician?

Anyway, I'll go talk to them.

You hide around here.

Okay.

Behave yourself.

Hurry up and go.

Sorry for the rude interruption.

That being said...

How do I bring it up?

What's that?

Who's that?

My uncle, Kozo.

Miss Sayo!

Kozo?

If I remember correctly,

Tokimaro's younger brother

wasn't present the other day.

My uncle has lost his mind.

Because about ten years ago, he violated

a taboo of this village... so I heard.

A taboo?

Oh my!

That island is a forbidden area,

where nobody is allowed to enter,

but my uncle...

Enough about that. Mr. Mizuki,

could you tell me about Tokyo?

About Tokyo? Well...

Have you been to a Ginza parlor?

Yes, I have. I drank a cream soda.

Cream soda! How lovely!

This village doesn't even have a tea house.

Have you ever left the village?

No, not once.

You should come visit with Tokiya.

I want to go with you.

Huh?

So you're already getting

to know each other?

You're a sly man, Mizuki.

No, it's not like that!

Like he said, Father.

Sorry, sorry.

As your father, I can't help it.

Well, how are things, really?

None of your business!

President, it's... I'd never...

No, I don't mind. Depending on

how things go, I'll give you that

and the Ryuga name too.

Do you have a minute?

Understood. How that man

is dealt with will be up to you.

Thank you very much.

Actually, I think Tokimaro's m*rder

was an inside job.

Of course it wasn't me, mind you.

Inside...

Even in Tokyo,

I bet you can't get liquor like this.

The Osada family are the fishy ones.

They want Tokiya to be family head

so they can control the Ryuga empire.

Now about that, Mizuki.

I wonder if you could help me out.

That's...

So you do know about it.

It's sold only to special clients

and is the source of the Ryuga wealth.

Blood product M.

It's processed into a product in Tokyo,

but they say the undiluted solution

is made here in this village.

"They say"?

How and where the solution is made is

kept secret. Even from me, the President!

I wasn't born a Ryuga,

so I will always be an outsider to them!

At this rate, the company

will be ripped from my hands.

I must get my hands on the secret of M.

And you want me to find it?

As you know, the people

of this village are hot-tempered.

But if you want come over to our side,

show me that you're prepared.

Very well, I accept your offer.

Well then,

help a guy out, okay?

Damn it!

Make a damn fool of me, will he...!

No matter. Above all,

I want to solve that mystery too.

If I play my cards right...

That b*stard!

He's heading for the forbidden area!

Gegero! Turn back!

Gegero! sh*t!

Hey! Come back!

Ah! I'm sorry!

Damn it! This thing...

Ah, that won't work.

You can't paddle it like that.

Show me how to do it.

Why do I have to?

Please, Teacher.

Teacher? Teacher! Me?!

Heave h*! Heave h*!

Go to that island.

That place is...

I'll pay extra.

Heave h*! Heave h*!

Wait for me here.

What's that?

Gegero!

CURSE

A pit!

What is this place?!

Get it together, Mizuki!

We'll have none of this violence!

Be at peace, everyone!

We're leaving!

You saved us.

That's the Ghost Tribe for you!

You guys know everyone!

"Ghost"...?

Of course, Ratty.

- Ack!

- What are you scheming now?

I've turned over a new leaf!

Started over in the countryside.

Terrible news!

This time, Miss Hinoe...!

- Hinoe! Hinoe!

- Madam!

This doesn't look like the work of humans.

Wait! If it's not the work of humans,

what did it?!

What's going on in this village?!

The monsters on that island,

those Kappa-like creatures!

Not only that...

What's this about a Ghost Tribe?

It's not only this village

that is strange.

What you saw on that island

were what you humans call "yokai."

Yokai? Yokai, you say?

Yokai are everywhere.

Since you were born,

there were countless all around you.

You just never tried to see them.

Stop. That's not true!

And we Ghost Tribe

are somewhat like yokai too.

So in other words, you're not human?

If you look into the past,

we were here before human history.

But over many years, as humans

increased, our habitat was stolen.

Finally, humans began to hunt us,

and our numbers decreased.

Now, my wife and I are the last two.

Hunted by humans?

Why did you save me?

I pitied you.

You as*h*le!

As a child, the old lady who cared for me

told me stories about yokai.

I never thought they really existed.

You can't see them because you

only try to see what's visible to the eye.

Covering one eye is just right.

Help me, Grandfather!

Actually, I'm looking for something

in this village too.

When I was down south, I heard a rumor.

Apparently the reason the weaker Japan won

the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars

was thanks to the "immortal soldiers,"

who had vigorous strength

and could fight for days

without eating, drinking or sleeping.

The secret to their immortality

was said to be a drug called "M."

Immortality?

At that time, I thought it was

just another b*ttlefield fairy tale.

But...

"M." This is it...

It won't make you immortal,

but it does have immense effects.

I'd like to produce it at our company.

For soldiers?

For soldiers at the corporations, Mizuki.

The w*r is still going on there.

I can't understand

how humans would want such a thing.

Thanks to M, Japan is making a miraculous

recovery from a state of burning ruins.

If everyone injects this and gets to work,

Japan will surely be the wealthiest

country in the world.

Gegero, will you help me?

The humans and yokai

in this village are hiding something.

It must be related to

what we're both looking for.

Let's expose it.

The location of my wife

and the elixir of immortality...

- Let's do it.

- Alright, it's a deal.

But...

No matter what you see, you mustn't run.

Same to you.

I wonder if we can

go to that island again?

The problem is that pit.

It had an old barrier sealing it,

but a seam opened.

The small amount of power leaking out

has affected those yokai

and driven them mad...

Hey!

Power, you say?

A grudge, a very powerful one.

I think the true nature of it is

a yokai called a kyokotsu.

"Kyokotsu"?

A yokai that's born from a grudge

when one is k*lled and thrown into a well.

Think of that pit as a well,

and it makes sense.

It takes hundreds of years to reach power

of that magnitude. It's a big one.

Did it k*ll Tokimaro and the others?

I don't know.

As long as there's a barrier,

it shouldn't be able to leave that island.

As long as there's no vessel

in the village summoning it.

A pit?

Do you know any of the history behind it?

That island... You went there?

No... Yes.

I was happy when you asked to see me.

But I see your aim was to probe into

the secrets of us Ryuga.

Ah, no, I want to protect you and Tokiya.

There's something terrible

in this village.

Mr. Mizuki. Can you promise me one thing?

Then I'll tell you what I know.

A... promise?

Please take me away from here.

Take you away? Why?

In Tokyo, a woman can live freely,

so I heard.

Here, that's impossible.

I'm just an office worker.

I don't have any assets or status.

I don't have the power

to grant your wishes.

I'm asking how you feel.

Not if you can do it or not.

I'm asking if you want to be with me.

That's the only thing I want to know.

Alright. If that's what you want,

I'll take you to the outside world.

I'm so happy.

It's a promise, Mr. Mizuki.

I'm a lucky girl.

I've met my soulmate.

Miss Sayo...

I'm sorry. I should mind my manners.

You wanted to know about the pit?

Uh... yes.

I don't know its history...

They say Kozo went into it, but how?

Under the estate, there's a limestone cave

that goes to the island.

It's connected underground?

Where in the estate?

They won't tell me

until I come of age, so I don't know.

I'm sorry.

Could I ask Kozo myself?

I don't know if he's in a state to talk...

But if that's what you want,

I'll do what I can.

I'll look into it myself too.

You're going to

make my wish come true, too, after all.

At this rate, we'll all be k*lled.

We only have one more day.

Bring me Tokiya now...

Tokiya doesn't belong to you.

I-I am his mother.

I want you to understand that, sister!

Toshiko...

There you are.

I was just thinking.

Thinking in a graveyard,

you've got good taste.

Would you like to join me?

Whew. Delicious.

Isn't it? It's a delicacy brewed by

a Karasu-Tengu from beyond that mountain.

Oh... Tengu sake...?

Anyway, what did you want?

You had something to say, right?

It's about that girl, Sayo,

and your attitude towards her.

Eavesdropping is bad manners.

That girl is serious.

What are you planning to do?

Nothing. I can't do anything anyway.

It's a temporary delusion

of a girl who likes to dream.

She'll come around soon.

Don't play with her sincere feelings.

That's one thing you must never do.

Haven't you ever truly fallen in love?

I'm not capable of such.

I saw it down south.

We were meant to be there for our country,

to protect our families on the home front,

but our superior officers abused us

for their own convenience and honor.

Driven into meaningless battles,

watching many friends die around me.

After the w*r ended, when I returned

to the home I'd been dreaming of,

my mother had been betrayed

by my dead father's relatives

and had lost the little property she had.

The city was full of w*r orphans

and people starving to death,

meanwhile, the lot that arranged the w*r

were living big from stashed supplies.

That's when I thought,

be it on the b*ttlefield or at home,

the weak are always used as fodder

and get the short straw.

That's why I want power.

I want power so nobody can trample me.

And I'll do anything to get it.

I can't think of anything else.

I see...

Oh, pardon me.

A tsurubebi?

I hated humans for a long time.

I abhorred them.

But my wife loved humans.

Love? That's got to be an exaggeration.

That was what she liked to say.

I could see it in her.

My wife was full of love.

She saw humans' weakness and stupidity

and treated it with tenderness and care,

and she loved them.

She loved and trusted them

and always wanted to be with them.

She was such a beautiful woman...

You're a crying drunk!

Unlike myself, who lived away from humans,

my wife lived amidst human society.

I still think, if I hadn't met her,

where would I be now?

Listen, Mizuki.

One day it will happen to you.

Someone more important

than yourself will come along.

And then you'll be able to see something

you hadn't been able to until that moment.

I wonder if such a day

will ever come for me.

It will! Everyone meets

their destiny eventually. Always.

I hope you can find your wife.

Yeah.

Damn, I drank too much.

Sir! Sir!

A message from the young lady.

From Miss Sayo?

She already took care of it for me.

Oh, and just who is this man?

Mr. Kozo.

Kozo, sir!

The barrier!

H-Help me!

- Mr. Kozo!

- Watch out!

Are you okay?

Gegero, is this...

Have you met this person?!

I... I know nothing...

You can't know nothing!

Where did you meet her?

Where is she?

S-She appears in my dreams.

It's not a dream! This person is my wife!

Calm down, Gegero!

Where is she?! Where?!

I don't know! Forgive me!

You!

Kozo isn't lying.

The woman in the drawings

is a loved one not from his memories.

Mr. Osada...

Kozo fell in love with that woman,

held c*ptive in the pit,

and betrayed his family to try

and free her, but his attempt failed.

He was attacked by the urakido

who serve the Ryuga.

"Urakido"?

Kozo's mind was destroyed

and his memory erased.

If he was not a Ryuga himself,

he surely would have died.

Sorcerers of the Kidoshu...

excommunicated for their

use of forbidden methods.

The urakido... So the Ryuga revived them.

Brutes who hunted we of the Ghost Tribe!

What?!

I was surprised to find out

you're the husband of that woman.

I thought we'd hunted you all down.

It was a pleasant surprise.

Mizuki. Stay back.

Impressive, Ghost Tribe.

That's precisely why

our art continues to exist.

Om!

It's here!

Kyokotsu!

A kyokotsu? What do you mean?

It's not just any kyokotsu.

It's much stronger!

What?!

You... all... are...

Un!

Well done, Osada.

Return my wife...

I don't care what you do with me.

Please, free my wife.

I'm begging you.

Free? How can a monster

talk about being free?

Don't make me laugh.

The Ghost Tribe lived underground,

no better than moles.

We saw value in their blood and gave them

a place where they belonged.

Us, the Ryuga family.

If you're married to that woman,

it's perfect.

Let's mate them. Make a child.

So it's true.

This "M" is made from the blood

of we of the Ghost Tribe.

What?!

The elixir of immortality...

I didn't want to believe it,

but you were taking blood from my wife!

Yes, even now.

You!

Om!

It looks like you need to be disciplined.

Stop! Please stop!

Otome!

Mizuki, was it? If you want to return

to Tokyo with your head attached,

you'll forget everything

you've seen in this village.

This is not your concern.

This is all for the sake

of my father's dream.

To help this country rise up

from its humiliating defeat

and once again rule the world!

It is the sublime obligation

of the Ryuga family.

Surely the Ghost Tribe will be satisfied

with being sacrificed for the greater cause.

Second Lieutenant, you're in charge now.

- Sir?

- What's wrong?

Aren't you going to die together with us?

I have an obligation to report

your last movements to the Commander.

W-What's wrong with you all?

Having doubts about an honorable death?

Y-You can die for the greater cause.

Be satisfied with doing so!

Give my regards to your president.

Deplorable...

Miss, you called?

Miss?

Give this to Mr. Mizuki.

- What is it?

- Uncle Tokimaro's diary.

Sayo.

Hurry! In it is written

what Mr. Mizuki wants to know. Go!

Okay!

Sayo, this is Tokimaro's room, isn't it?

What are you doing here?

Aunt Toshiko.

Please don't tell my mother I was here.

No!

Once Tokiya becomes head of the family,

this house will be ours,

and neither you nor Otome will be able to

just do whatever you please.

Osada, there's no more time.

Take the Ghost Tribe man to the factory.

Then tell the villagers to prepare

for the ceremony

to make Tokiya the family head.

It must be done,

no matter what Toshiko says.

As you wish.

And bring Sayo.

We'll pair her with Tokiya

and this time,

we'll make sure she births an heir.

Yes, madam.

It really was too bad.

If only she'd gotten pregnant

with Father's child,

we would already have a strong heir.

What?

Miss Sayo?

And Tokisada?

What are you saying?

That's right, it seems Katsunori said

something to you, didn't he?

Forget that. Sayo is a Ryuga woman.

Ryuga women have the glorious duty

to devote themselves to the family head

to produce offspring

with exceptional spiritual powers.

Devote herself? You can't mean...

So that's why she asked me...

How awful. To think

I admired such a horrific family...

I'm furious with myself...

You're not human!

Osada!

Take this man

and throw him into the storehouse.

Yes, madam.

Sir?

Sir!

Hey, wake up!

I was looking for ya!

I've got something for you from the Miss.

Whoa!

What is this?!

I knew this was no ordinary village.

The whole damn village is crazy.

Humans, I tell ya...

If I bring this diary home,

my mission will be accomplished.

H-Hey!

I've got it all in my head.

O-Oh, yeah?

I'm getting out of here. I've had enough

of the human world for a while.

See ya!

Mr. Mizuki...

Miss Sayo.

It happened to Aunt Toshiko, too...

Mr. Mizuki, I'm at my limit.

Let's run away together, quickly.

This village is cursed!

But the road out...

That was just a lie my mother told

to isolate the village.

What?!

To my mother, this village is everything.

I can't agree to that.

That's why...

Okay. Let's go to Tokyo.

If you inject Ghost Tribe blood directly

into humans, they become living corpses.

The blood harvested from

the corpses is refined to make M.

That's the Ryuga secret.

You've sacrificed the villagers.

The job of the villagers is to kidnap humans

to turn into corpses and care for them.

The whole village...

You've put a heavy curse on them.

He doesn't need his arms and legs.

Cut them off.

Madam.

You're going to be kept here

for a long time.

Start with his right arm.

Stop!

Even if you scream,

nobody will come for you.

Here we go!

Mizuki!

Release that man! If you don't...

Mother, help me!

Sayo! Why are you two here?

Mr. Mizuki?

You go on ahead.

I'll come later and catch up.

You're going to rescue

that Ghost Tribe man?

If I run away without him now,

he'll laugh at me.

That jerk.

Then I'll go too.

I'll go wherever you go.

Could you even k*ll Sayo?

I can! I was a soldier!

My, you two sure have gotten friendly.

You truly are a Ryuga woman.

Stop this nonsense, Sayo.

Do you think that man really loves you?

He knows that you were Father's favorite.

This village is

the only place you can live.

You all did this to her!

That's why Miss Sayo

was possessed by a yokai!

That's why she k*lled so many people!

It can't be... Sayo?

You...

I see. So you knew, Mr. Mizuki...

After spending time with Gegero,

I began to be able to see things.

Things I shouldn't be able to see.

A world I shouldn't be able to see.

As soon as Tokimaro became family head,

he came for me

to try to do the same as Grandfather.

Aunt Hinoe threatened to tell

Mr. Mizuki about Grandfather

if I didn't do what she said.

So I...

Even Aunt Toshiko tried to get in my way.

Nobody ever truly saw me.

They saw the Ryuga name

and blood, that's all.

I was just a tool for the family.

I'm guilty as well.

I used you to try to get close

to the Ryuga family.

I'll do anything to make it up to you.

So let's leave this village

and go to Tokyo!

No!

I already knew.

Tokyo is the same as this village.

There's no freedom anywhere.

But with you...

I believed that I would be okay with you.

That you'd see me.

Get a hold of yourself, Sayo!

You're part of the glorious Ryuga.

You leave me no choice.

As someone subjected to this abominable

Ryuga curse, I'll end it all.

This village, the Ryuga, and myself too.

A kyokotsu?

Om!

What?!

Impossible!

Sayo! How can you be manipulated

by a monster you are meant to control!

No, Mother.

I'm the one doing the manipulating.

Now, everyone with a grudge.

Lend me your power!

What?!

Die!

Forgive me!

Osada! Help me! Osada!

Madam! Otome!

You damned monster.

Mr... Mizuki.

Miss Sayo...

No, no!

Miss Sayo...

Miss Sayo!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Sorry... I took so long.

I was waiting for you.

The pit is beyond here.

- Let's go.

- Yes.

This is the bottom of the pit.

Here?

Cherry blossoms?!

Mizuki!

Tokisada!

This place is dangerous for humans.

Tokiya! Why are you here?

What are you?!

What are you saying? That's...

It's me. It's Tokiya.

It's me. It's Tokiya.

Tokisada...

Oh, so you can see my spirit?

Indeed. It is I, the Showa Era leader,

genius of medicine,

extraordinary and great magician,

Tokisada Ryuga himself!

What does this mean? Tokisada is...

Silence! Watch your tongue,

whippersnapper.

Ghost Tribe.

You did well to come here.

You brought yourself here as a sacrifice?

Wicked ghost.

You used forbidden methods, chasing out

Tokiya's spirit, stealing his body!

Stealing... his body?

Tokiya resisted more than I expected.

It took some effort.

The barrier was about to break.

Right about now,

he's taken my place in hell,

probably being picked on by the guards.

He was your own grandson...

I was over 80 years old,

and I mourned every day.

Tokimaro and my other children...

No, all the young people these days

are stupid and worthless!

I still have so much

to teach this country, I must lead it.

So I decided to use forbidden methods

to do a soul transfer and revive myself.

Tokiya was made to be my vessel.

Playing with souls...

Tokisada Ryuga. For a horrible man

like you, Miss Sayo was...

Ah, losing Sayo was regrettable.

But I can always make more.

- You monster!

- Wait, Mizuki.

Look closely.

K-Kyokotsu?!

I never suspected

so many lives had been stolen.

These are kyokotsu born

from the grudges of the Ghost Tribe.

Did you notice something

about the barrier on this pit?

It's a curse reflector!

I collect the grudges of the Ghost Tribe

and reflect them back to the Ghost Tribe.

A Ghost Tribe like you

has no hope of winning.

Where is my wife?

No need to rush.

Since you're here,

why not admire the cherry blossoms?

The Ghost Tree Blood Cherry.

The red of the petals

is the blood of your wife.

Gegero!

These are...

These are all my compatriots,

the remains of the Ghost Tribe!

Among them, my wife too...

What?!

Damn...

The Blood Cherry Blossom has the power to

sustain prisoners for as long as possible,

continuing to suck their blood.

The suffering of the prisoners

lasts eternally,

creating kyokotsu with strong grudges.

What a mellow aroma.

Where... Where is she?

A life crawling around on the bottom.

How miserable.

I don't want to be a human like that.

Damn it...

My body...

Oh dear.

Don't damage the tree

any more than that, you boors.

I'll bring her to you.

Dear!

She used to be quite the beauty.

We took too much blood.

My... love...

I left you alone for so long.

I'm sorry.

You're the same old crybaby.

Also, I wasn't alone.

My, so you were with child!

That makes my job easier. I'm grateful!

Good old Ghost Tribe.

You stayed pregnant to protect your child!

You disgusting monster! Well done!

But sadly, that baby belongs to me!

Now I can produce much more M!

Japan's future is bright!

Don't talk about the future!

You shouldn't be allowed

to care for a life!

You need to be taught a lesson.

You'll learn.

Om!

I told you that you didn't have a chance.

To me, the Ghost Tribe is very valuable.

I don't want to k*ll you.

For the sake

of your unborn child, give up.

Give up and the three of you

as a family can be kept by me.

Your life is worthless anyway.

This way, at least you're helping others.

Give up?

No thanks. I'm bad at giving up.

And so is my partner!

Oh, even in this pit you can still move!

If you destroy me, the kyokotsu

will k*ll you two and escape outside.

I'll give you two or three companies.

You can be my subordinate.

A company?

Get yourself nicer clothes.

Live in a villa,

ride a luxury car with a driver,

enjoy plenty of the finest

food, drink, and women.

Now that's living!

Tokisada...

You're so boring.

Prepare yourself!

Kyokotsu!

I-Idiot!

I-If you break this,

the kyokotsu will go into a rage...

The whole nation will be destroyed.

Time to pay your tab!

I'm just a weak old man.

Help me... please!

You can no longer die.

Your suffering will continue for eternity.

Help me... help me!

My ancestors...

Is it over?

Once a grudge is made,

it doesn't go away easily.

Grudges bring more grudges,

and breed more kyokotsu.

The barrier will surely break soon.

Everything turned out

as the kyokotsu wanted in the end.

Wear this, and even if the kyokotsu

attack you, you won't lose your mind.

Mizuki. Take care of my wife and baby.

Take them out of this cursed village.

What will you do?

I'll take on the grudges.

Will you be okay?

I don't know.

But if I don't try, kyokotsu will continue

to multiply and the nation will be destroyed.

Good, let them!

You don't need to sacrifice yourself!

It's the world

my child is being born into.

I have to do it.

Plus...

Move!

Promise me this.

You'll stay alive and come back.

Yeah, let's meet again.

It's a promise.

Hurry and go.

Plus...

Plus, my friend...

The future where you live

is something I want to see

with my own eyes.

Come here! All of you with a grudge.

I am your vessel now!

I knew it. I could never

suppress them all by myself.

My child...

Spirit Hair Chanchanko!

You're in the way! Get back!

That's the last one.

Hair Needles!

Stop, Kitaro!

I see now, you're...

You're the last one left.

It's no wonder. Your regret for having

your future stolen from you...

I couldn't save you.

I'm sorry, Tokiya.

Hey, Tokiya.

A long time has passed since then.

Unfortunately, this country is far

from the future we dreamed of on that day.

As always, everyone continues

to desire and suffer.

But I got my boy, Kitaro.

Tokiya, I heard about you from my father.

Kita..ro...

Your suffering...

Is there anything I can do for you?

Don't forget me...

I was here!

I won't forget. I'll carry on your memory.

Thank... you...

Mizuki, are you watching?

What happened in this village?

Kitaro, why do you rescue people?

If the reason has something to do with

what happened in this village, tell me!

I'll write it down, and pass it on! So...

Hm. It'll be a long story.

That's alright! That's why I came here!

Alright, I'll tell you how I met that man

and all the things

that happened in this village.

Someone's here! Over here!

Hey! Snap out of it!

Are you a survivor from that village?

What... happened to her?

"Her"? Was someone with you?

Someone...

Someone...?

Yes, I was with someone. I'm sure...

Where am I?

Why am I here?

I can't remember anything...

I can't remember anything, so then...

why am I so sad?

A baby born from a grave!

This baby is the child of a monster.

If I let it live, I don't know

what sort of disasters will strike.

If so, then I must...