47 Ronin

Ancient feudal Japan, a land shrouded in mystery,

forbidden to foreigners.

A group of magical islands home to witches and demons.

A nation of rival provinces

whose lords were ruled by a shogun whose will is absolute.

Peace in the realm is kept by the samurai,

master swordsmen

tasked with protecting their lord

and their province at all costs.

Should a samurai ever lose or fail his master,

he suffers the greatest shame in all Japanese society.

He becomes a ronin.

And yet, to know the story of the 47 Ronin,

is to know the story of all Japan.

It began with a boy.

No one knew where he came from or how he found his way to Ako.

Some said he was a changeling, no better than a beast.

Many believed he'd been raised by the Tengu,

the demons of the forest

who had taught him their dark powers

and trained him in their lethal arts of killing.

The evil he had fled had left it's mark upon him.

Oishi!

My Lord, it is a demon.

He's a child, just like you.

Help me pick him up, Oishi.

Lord Asano, of the province Ako,

saved him that day,

seeing something in the boy that Oishi did not.

Lord Asano's daughter, Mike, saw it too.

Mika's father allowed the boy to live amongst them,

against the advice of his samurai.

Look.

What do you see?

A branch?

No.

It's a deer.

Oh.

It took this path.

You keep it, Kai.

The samurai believed his presence

would bring misfortune to their land.

Mika only saw a gentle boy.

Although he lived as an outcast,

Kai was determined to repay the love

he received from Mike and her father,

whatever the cost.

Kai.

Well?

There is something wrong with the creature.

It's up there on the rise, but it will come down again to hunt.

It would be safer to set a trap and wait for it here.

It's up on the rise, Lord Asano.

My Lord.

Kill it!

I would rather have been killed by that beast than saved by a half-breed.

Yasuno!

Ako owes you a great debt, Yasuno.

We can finally welcome the Shogun without fear.

For Ako!

For Ako!

Well done.

Get out.

Get out!

Does Lord Asano live?

Yes.

Mmm.

Hosting the Shogun's tournament

is a great honor for my father.

Everything must be perfect.

My Lady, Mika.

Lord Asano and the hunting party have returned.

They killed the beast.

Father!

I was worried.

The hunt took longer than we hoped.

Yasuno showed great courage.

Is anyone badly hurt?

Who are you looking for?

Is everything prepared for the Shogun's arrival?

Yes, Father.

I want all of Ako to share in this honor

of hosting our great commander.

I have made special arrangements

for the visiting lords, as well.

I've ordered stands put up all along the route.

Your mother would have been proud.

I was worried.

You always worry.

He so wants your approval.

Chikara has been training every chance he gets.

My Lady, Kai has returned.

They told me you were hurt.

It's nothing, My Lady.

Your back.

Sit down.

Someone should have seen to this before.

Thank you.

I saw the shame in Yasuno's eyes when they were praising him.

Even when you try to help them, they hate you.

Your father's samurai have always treated me as well as can be expected.

And is that all you expect?

It's all I know.

It doesn't have to be, Kai.

This is no place for you, My Lady.

Are you sending me away?

Look at me and tell me you don't love me.

I will always love you.

But you have your place

and I have mine.

Asano Takumi no Kami, ruler of Ako.

His Highness, Shogun Tokugawa,

lord of provinces and master of all Japan

thanks you for your welcome.

Lord Asano,

my friend.

Ako is magnificent,

as always.

We anticipate with pleasure tomorrows tournament.

Great Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi...

and hope the entertainment we have prepared

meets your august approval.

Father.

What are you doing in my home?

Last week at the hunt I saw a fox.

I didn't realize at the time that it was a witch.

A witch?

I believe I saw the same creature again tonight.

She was in human form among the nobles' concubines.

My Lord.

They say only demons have the power

to see past a witch's disguise.

Are you a demon?

No.

Then I suggest you are simply bewitched by a beautiful girl.

Lord Asano, may we present Lord Kira Yoshinaka,

master of Nagato, from the northern provinces.

Ako is as beautiful as I remember, Lord Asano.

We are honored by your visit, Lord Kira.

I look forward to the tournament.

I had no idea your concubine was so lovely, Lord Asano.

She's my daughter.

Oh.

Forgive me, My Lady.

May I ask that your daughter sit with us?

I should like to make up for my rudeness.

Father, who is that?

My fighter.

I'm sure your father's champion will be an even contest.

Yasuno.

Yasuno. Yasuno!

Yasuno!

What's wrong with him?

Witchcraft.

Get your father.

There is no time.

If we have no fighter,

Ako will be disgraced.

Only a samurai can fight.

Enough.

Your fighter?

Champions, prepare for combat!

Bring them steel!

Stop!

You are not a samurai.

Kill it.

No!

No!

Forgive me, My Lord.

The fault is mine.

Strip him of his armor.

Beat him.

Stop!

I'm sorry.

My Lord!

Not now!

Father, please!

Lord Asano's mind is unsettled.

It is time to take Ako.

It is what you hoped for, it is what we have planned for.

What are you afraid of, My Lord?

Show me your courage.

Give me your heart.

After this, there is no turning back.

You are bound to me, and I to you.

Rivers of blood

and mountains of corpses

will not stand in our way.

Nor the tears of widows.

Find your envy and hatred.

And I will give you all you desire.

Father.

Father!

Father!

Mika.