Ashura (film)
Ashura is a 2005 Japanese horror film, starring Ichikawa Somegorō VII, Rie Miyazawa and Kanako Higuchi. Directed by Yōjirō Takita, it is a film adaptation of a 1987 Kazuki Nakashima play set in the 16th century. It was released on DVD-Video as in the United Kingdom by Yume Pictures in 2006 and in the United States by AnimEigo in 2007.
Story
A beautiful oni named Bizan appears on Earth. She wants to bring demon queen Ashura back to life, so the demons can take over the world beginning in Edo. Opposing her is the Oni Makado, an army of demon slayers that was created by the Japanese government. Izumo once fought with the Makado, but resigned to become a kabuki actor after he thought he accidentally killed a young girl. After 5 years, Izumo encounters Tsubaki, who is a member of an all-female acrobatic troupe who rob the citizens of Edo during the night. Falling deeply in love, Izumo notices a red, ugly scar on Tsubaki's shoulder, which is the mark of Ashura. Meanwhile, Jaku, one of Izumo's ex-comrades, falls for Bizan, leading the Oni Makado over to the dark side.Jaku desires the power of Ashura and captures Tsubaki, but Izumo rescues her. The passion between Izumo and Tsubaki eventually causes the spirit of Ashura to awaken within the latter. After introspection, both Izumo and Tsubaki recall the event they were unable to remember from 5 years ago. This explains why their supposedly chance meetings always invoked a feeling of familiarity.
With great disdain for the transgressions in her human life, Tsubaki leaves for the demon world to fulfill her destiny as their queen. In forlorn pursuit, Izumo arrives at Ashura's inverted sky castle of the demon world and slays Jaku, and then Bizan. Eventually Izumo finds Ashura and fights to the death.