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is a 2005 Japanese fantasy children's film directed by Takashi Miike and produced by Kadokawa Pictures. It was released under the international English title ''The Great Yōkai War'' by Tokyo Shock. The film focuses largely on creatures from Japanese mythology known as ''Yōkai'' (妖怪, lit. "apparition" or "goblin"), which came to prominence during the Edo period with the works of Toriyama Sekien. It also draws inspiration from Aramata Hiroshi's ''Teito Monogatari'', with the novel's antagonist Katō Yasunori appearing as the main antagonist in the film. The film is considered a loose remake of a 1968 film of the same name, but also draws influence from Mizuki Shigeru's GeGeGe no Kitarō manga series of the same name. All three are retellings of the famous Japanese tale of Momotarō, which features the titular character driving a group of demons away from Kikaigashima with the help of native animals. While these previous adaptations have been read mostly as nationalist narratives, with the native ''Yōkai'' driving out invading forces, ''The Great Yōkai War'' has been read instead for the clash between Japan's traditional landscape and its modern culture. This is largely due to the film's use of ''Kikai'' (機械, lit. "machine monsters"), created by Katō fusing the ''Yōkai'' with machines, and the absence of invading Western or otherwise foreign forces. Mizuki Shigeru, whose work is considered an important part of ''Yōkai'' discourse and culture due to his contributions in pop culture and academic study, acted as an advisor for the film and even made an appearance as the Great Elder ''Yōkai''. The cameo is not only a nod to Mizuki's status as a ''Yōkai'' expert, but his closing words also resonate closely with the theme of his manga of the same name. Similarly, his role as a peace-keeper is one referenced throughout his work, and is born of his own experiences from real war. ==Story== A young boy named Tadashi Ino moves to a small town after his parents' divorce. At a local festival, he is chosen to be that year's ''Kirin Rider,'' referring to the legendary Chinese chimera, the ''Qilin'': a protector of all things good. He soon discovers that his new title is quite literal, as a nefarious spirit named Yasunori Katō appears. Katō - a demon whose mystical powers are born of his rage at the annihilation of Japan's local tribes - desires vengeance against the modern Japanese for their actions against the ''Yōkai''. To carry out his revenge, Katō allies himself with a ''Yōkai'' named Agi, summoning a fiery spirit called ''Yomotsumono'': a creature composed of the resentment carried by the multitudinous things mankind has discarded. Katō feeds ''Yōkai'' into ''Yomotsumono's'' flames, fusing them with the numerous discarded tools and items to form ''Kikai.'' These ''Kikai -'' under Katō's control - capture other ''Yōkai'' to build their numbers while killing humans. One such ''Yōkai'', a ''Sunekosuri'' escapes and befriends Tadashi who attempts to obtain the ''Daitenguken'' from the mountain as a right of passage for the role of Kirin Rider. Scared by the tales told of the mountain, Tadashi falters upon his arrival at the mountain and tries to flee. However, tricked by the sea spirit ''Shōjō'', who picked Tadashi out, he manages to overcome a test to prove his worth. Accompanied by ''Shōjō'', ''Kawahime'', and ''Kawatarō'', Tadashi makes his way to the ''Daitengu'' who gives him the sword before being taken away by the ''Kikai''. In spite of Tadashi's attempts, the sword is broken as Agi takes ''Sunekosuri'' as her captive before the boy is knocked unconscious. When Tadashi comes to his senses, he finds himself among ''Yōkai'' as they discuss how to fix the sword; they ultimately decide to request the aid of the blacksmith ''Ippondatara''. Upon learning that ''Ippondatara'' was also captured, General Nurarihyon and his group leave. ''Kawataro'' restrains an ''Ittan-momen'', praising the bumbling ''Azukiarai'', unaware that he only remained behind due to his foot getting numb. When Katō's industrial fortress takes flight towards Tokyo, Tadashi and company pursue it. They arrive shortly after the fortress ingests Tokyo's Shinjuku Capital Building, finding ''Ippondatara'' who reforges the sword. ''Ippondatara'' refuses to talk about how he escaped, ashamed that the ''Sunekosuri'' took his place in becoming a ''Kikai''. Donning new attire, Tadashi and company go into battle. They are greatly outnumbered until they receive unlikely aid from thousands of ''Yōkai'' who believe they are coming to a party; their festival brawl with ''Kikai'' allows Tadashi and Kawahime to enter the fortress safely, followed by a ''Yōkai''-obsessed reporter named Sata whom ''Kawahime'' saved in the past. Tadashi is forced to slay the ''Kikai'' that Sunekosuri became, restoring it to its original form yet leaving it gravely injured. In a rage, Tadashi battles Agi before she is called back by Katō to begin the final phase by joining with ''Yomotsumono''. Despite Tadashi's attempts, Katō outmatches him. ''Kawahime'' attempts to protect the boy, stating that while she hates humans due to them abandoning her, she has no desire for revenge as she considers it a human emotion. Unfazed, Katō takes the two out as ''Azukiarai'' awkwardly arrives. Katō calls Agi to join him. However, her love for him is a hindrance to the process, so Katō kills her instead before entering the oven to become one with ''Yomotsumono''. However, due to Sata's actions, one of ''Azukiarai's'' Azuki beans ends up in the mix with Katō, causing a chain reaction of positive emotion that destroys ''Yomotsumono''. After the ''Yōkai'' take their leave, Tadashi and Sata find themselves on the street and the boy tells his first white lie to the reporter about ''Kawahime's'' feelings towards him. Years later, Tadashi is a grown man who lost the ability to see ''Yōkai'', even ''Sunekosuri''. The film ends with ''Sunekosuri'' being confronted by an Azuki-pupiled Katō. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Great Yokai War」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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