Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle (五条霊戦記／GOJOE)

The Middle Ages...

dark times...

The war between the Heike and Genji clans has ended with...

the defeated Genji retreating to the East. Meanwhile...

the Heike attempt to bring renewed prosperity to Kyoto.

Yet each night, there's the continuing slaughter of Heike troops...

bringing with it the fear that a demon has been unleashed.

What's this?

Ominous stars approach...

and there are two of them.

No!

Great misfortune shall be brought upon us.

Oh revered spirits of power, come to me and speak...

The demon's growing...

We must act before it's too late!

This is Gojoe Bridge...

No mortal shall pass!

Gojoe Bridge

GOJOE

There he goes!

Get him!

He's going into the ravine, cut him off!

Alright!

Don't let him escape!

Move!

Move!

Out of the way!

We've got you now, Musashibo Benkei!

You...

You've betrayed our brethren, and stole the precious Demon Slayer...

You shameless wretch!

Stole? I've only borrowed it...

I'll give it back when I'm done with it.

What do you take us for?

What is this?

Order!

Order!

Order!

This instant!

Show some respect!

Fools!

Sheath your weapons, now!

Think of where you are!

You've come...

Ajari...

I knew that you would.

It's been so long.

I remember the day you saved me, Ajari.

Or should I call you 'Holy Priest'?

People worship you, calling you the savior of the world.

Call me whatever you'd like.

I'm just a monk who loves nature.

Seven years...

Time goes by so quickly.

Your brute nature seems tempered by these years of devotion.

But you haven't returned to engage me in nostalgia.

With so many mortal enemies in Kyoto...

and that sword you carry...

You must have grave business indeed.

Ajari.

I had a vision while meditating on sacred Mt. Hiko.

Our protector, Acalanatha, rose above me.

He revealed to me my destiny.

I am to seek enlightenment by slaying the demon with two faces.

At first I didn't understand.

When I heard about the Demon of Gojoe Bridge...

who seeks to slay one thousand souls...

I knew this must be the demon of Acalanatha's revelation.

No...

Benkei...

You mustn't seek enlightenment by the sword.

Would you call Acalanatha's revelation a mere delusion?

Witness the mark, which rose on my flesh since that day.

It's the will of Acalanatha!

Ajari.

I came first to you, to share the joy of revelation.

I'm not the butcher of my former days.

Seven years have I spent in devotion.

Now I've finally received my calling.

I'll slay the Demon of Gojoe Bridge...

and Acalanatha will rise to deliver me.

Please await the joyous news.

This is Gojoe Bridge...

No mortal shall pass.

It's me.

You shameless fool.

You won't live long.

Damned demons, they always get all the good stuff.

Oh, a monk.

What are you doing here?

What does it look like?

It looks like you're a damned scavenger.

You wouldn't be here if you weren't damned yourself.

Yet another monk fighting demons for the Heike?

Give it up, holy man...

Your eyes will melt if you look at a real demon.

They come across Gojoe?

Not in the daylight.

Demons only come out at night.

Then I'll wait for nightfall.

Thank you.

Rest in peace, rest in peace...

It's not gonna work.

Hey!

How dare you! Master Ajari gave this to me.

Isn't that Benkei?

Benkei?

There, behind Tetsukichi.

It's, it's Benkei.

Couldn't be...

Where?

You're right, it's Benkei.

And he's coming towards us!

Keep him out!

Is that the infamous Benkei?

That's him alright.

Hey!

Where are you going?

I await nightfall.

I must report to the leader.

What?

Benkei has returned?

Yes.

So he's still alive...

Yes, he still should be near our territory.

Good...

I've been waiting for this day...

Prepare for an attack!

No doubt.

This is the night for a change in fortune.

And for the demon?

For him too, tonight is a turning point.

We can finally accomplish General Kiyomori's secret mission.

The honor of the Heike clan is in your hands.

This is your hour to shine.

This is Gojoe Bridge...

No mortal shall pass.

There he is!

I've finally found you, Benkei.

Tankai.

What's with your clothing?

You look like a beggar.

You haven't changed.

I haven't forgotten about our unfinished business, either.

Let's settle this once and for all!

I'd like to avoid a fight with you now.

It won't be that easy.

In order to be the leader of the Shirakawa clan...

one must be the fiercest warrior.

But I wouldn't be the fiercest if you were alive, now would I?

I don't care about leading a clan.

My life belongs to Buddha now.

Don't make me laugh!

Why do you carry a sword, then?

Does Buddha teach you to slay, huh?

I told you.

I don't have time for you now.

Draw your sword, Benkei!

Get him!

Let fly!

Get him!

Get him!

Hold it! Hold your arms!

It's no use.

Damn, you weasel!

Damned demon...

I, Tairano Tadanori, vow to kill you or die trying.

It's the demon!

Who are you?

Out of my way!

Where's the demon?

He's mine!

Get out of my way!

Out of my way!

Go!

I'm the archer Kudokumaru...

and the demon's mine!

What is this...demon of Gojoe?

It even felled the master archer, Kudokumaru...

It's all because you were mistaken about the demon's fate.

His fate has changed indeed.

Have we no longer any means left to fight him with?

There is one...

The monk who joined last night's battle...

The demon remains in the capital for him.

So we still have a chance?

If we want to understand the demon, we need to first find the monk.

Hachiman Daibosatsu

Prince Shanao.

Your mastery of the sword knows no equal.

You've reached manhood and your time here is finished.

We must retire from Kyoto, join our forces in the East, and...

plan our assault on the capital.

It's time to take on your new name...

one befitting the rightful heir of the Genji clan.

I, therefore, humbly present your name in manhood.

Kurou Yoshitsune of the noble Genji.

Kurou Yoshitsune Minamoto

A name fit for a King who regained his family's honor.

Trusted priest of Shoshinbo...