Kage No Gundan 2: Episode 26

Episode 26: THE HEAD OF O'OKA (SAISHUKAI KOHEN: NIJUROKU-NIN SAIGO NO KUBI *****

Directed by Ikuo Sekimoto

"This is your final mission...Do it well."
 

With the destruction of the Shiina agents, O'oka Tadamitsu hides within the walls of Chiyoda castle in an effort to escape the grasp of the relentless Iga remnants. Fearing for his life, signs are posted claiming the Iga as rebels and 100 gold coins are promised to anyone that captures them dead or alive. Many of Edo's inhabitants join in the hunt. Some of O'oka's soldiers go to Yamabiko and speak with Orin as to the whereabouts of Tsuge Shinpachi and what remains of the Shadow Warriors. Unsuccessful in learning any information, the men seek out Dr. Gennai.


Meanwhile, a group of fortune hunters head out to locate the Iga and encounter a drunken priest blocking their path along a bridge. Yelling at him to move aside, the renegade priest, Hozoin Ransetsu, demands Sake and becomes angered. He attacks with his spear and easily kills the men. At another location, a ronin from Aki, the famous swordsman, Kotani Senshiro is also in Edo. These two powerful adversaries have been summoned by O'oka.


Meantime, Shin meets with Otoki who is in disguise as a servant girl. Shin leaves the area and is attacked by armed men. Disposing of them, it is apparent to the Iga chief that getting to O'oka is going to be more difficult than ever. Shin discusses plans with Tsuru, Ryukichi and Koroku after receiving a map of Chiyoda castle from Otoki. Dr. Gennai enters their room and has one last talk with his friends before heading out to his home village in Sanuki. Gennai has a late night drink with Shin before he says his final goodbye. "I found a friend for life...I don't want you to die before me." Shin thanks him for all he has done for the Iga cause. Doctor Gennai then disappears into the night.


Later, both Senshiro and Ransetsu have a meeting with O'oka. The Dark Shogun has a plan to dispose of the Iga Warriors once and for all. The next day, the unhinged Shogun, Ieshige is overseeing a game he created featuring beautiful women sumo wrestling. O'oka enters and states that he must make the trip to Kanei-ji Temple to pay respects on the anniversary of his fathers death. Ieshige decides that O'oka should take his place. This is the perfect opportunity O'oka was looking for.


Meanwhile, Otoki reveals information to Koroku that O'oka will be leaving the castle in the Shogun's place. As word gets around, officers follow the young Iga. Upon entering a brothel, the officers mistakenly find the Hayate Kid. After a rooftop battle, the Kid escapes and meets up with Shin as the Shadow Warriors make their last phase of attack. The Kid wants to fight with them, but Shin says "We cannot let an outsider die for us." The next day, O'oka and his entourage leave for Kanei-ji Temple. Shinpachi gives orders no one is to move till he gives the signal. Upon closer inspection, Shin realizes that the man entering the temple isn't O'oka but a double.


Meanwhile, back at Chiyoda castle, O'oka encounters his new servant girl which is Otoki in disguise. Ransetsu tests her to see if she is in fact a civilian. Otoki's skills save her from being discovered. Back at the temple, Tsuruzo sees a chance to attack and manages to fatally stab the doppleganger posing as O'oka. However, it's a trap and Tsuru is attacked by Senshiro. Mortally wounded by the ronin's blade, Tsuru falls down an embankment.


The other Iga find his body and Tsuru in his last dying breath, believes that he has killed the Dark Shogun. Shin stops Koroku from revealing the truth so as not to allow Tsuru to know he has died in vain. The Iga spy Otoki's signal letting them know O'oka is still in the castle. "Tsuru...this battle is for you."


The last of the Iga make their way to the heavily fortified castle as O'oka and his two formidable guests await their arrival. As they talk, Ransetsu discovers Otoki listening in on their conversation. She is caught and held hostage. The Shadow Warriors make their entrance slaughtering all the soldiers guarding the castle. With just three men against many, the Hayate Kid suddenly appears to lend a hand. Shin and Ransetsu have a long duel. The Iga chief barely survives the encounter. With both Koroku and Ryukichi injured, Shinpachi next meets the powerful swordsman, Senshiro.


Upon entering the room with the awaiting ronin, Shin finds the fallen body of Otoki, her blood on Senshiro's blade. The two fight, but suddenly, Otoki is still alive. She grabs Senshiro's legs enabling Shinpachi to attack with a fatal strike. Otoki then dies in Shin's arms.


Now only the Dark Shogun remains. The vengeful Tsuge Shinpachi then finds his long sought after target hidden behind a wall covered by a shrine. Face to face yet again with the man that wiped out the Iga clan, O'oka very calmly attempts to persuade Shinpachi to not kill him. "I have always wanted a man like you. Let's bury the hatchet and work together. You can rule the land with me! What do you want? Name it." Shin says, "I want only one thing...your head." The two briefly clash. Shin cuts down the evil O'oka Tadamitsu finally putting an end to his tyranny. He removes the list detailing the 26 loyalists whose handprints are all stained with the blood of many Iga.


Later, the absent minded Shogun, Ieshige is playing with his women wearing a blindfold. Something scares them away. He removes his blindfold and comes face to face with the head of his chief adviser, the Dark Shogun, himself. "Look well upon the head of a tyrant! If you still do not understand, abdicate as Shogun!" Hidden behind a door, the shadow of Shinpachi disappears into the night. The next day, Orin cries to Okei devastated that Shin would leave her all alone at the bathhouse.


Meanwhile, Shinpachi, Koroku and Ryukichi burn the pledge of the 26 conspirators. Shin demands that his last two disciples need not follow him anymore, that they should settle down and lead happy lives. "Because they had followed me, Gohei, Uta...Tsuru and Otoki...all lost their precious lives!" Despairingly, Shinpachi looks to his last two young and heartbroken devotees, "Thank you...for sticking with me." He then disappears beyond the hills leaving both Koroku and Ryukichi to live out the remainder of their lives in peace. The evil of O'oka vanquished, the unjust annihilation of the Iga has finally been avenged.


Ikuo Sekimoto delivers the last, and one of the best and most action packed shows of KAGE NO GUNDAN 2. To give you an idea, the finale of the 46 minute episode begins around the 20 minute mark! A saddening tone is set near the beginning when Gennai exits the show. He and Shinpachi share a drink together before the good doctor leaves. He has no last gadget for the anxious Iga and leaves them to take on O'oka alone. The shocks come fast and furious here as both Tsuruzo and the beautiful Otoki are killed before the show ends. The last two conspirators (it's never specified, but I presume so) are an intimidating duo and provide a grand foil for Shin and the others.


Aside from all the tension this last show provides, there is one major slip up. Shin forbids the Hayate Kid to participate but during the last battle, he shows up to help anyway. You see him fighting an onslaught of opponents but then you never see, nor hear from him again. You don't even know if he lives or dies. I guess it could be safe to assume that Sanada was busy working on another movie or tv show and was unable to shoot a final scene. It's a bit jarring, but if not for so many great moments, I would knock off a star on the rating.


For sheer entertainment value, this episode is one of the best. Sekimoto even manages to sneak in some choice nudity. Orin gets a couple of brief scenes but there's nary a comedic bit in sight unless you count her breaking down into tears screaming Shinpachi's name. Any fan of Sonny Chiba or Henry Sanada should definitely check out KAGE NO GUNDAN 2. It has an intriguing premise and a number of top class episodes. Starting off like gangbusters, the series finishes up in style with equal amounts of triumph and tragedy. After the end credits, a preview for KAGE NO GUNDAN 3 is shown.

Main cast (entire series)--

The Shadow Warriors

Shinichi Chiba: Tsuge ShinpachiIsamu Nagato: Gohei
So Yamamura: Hiraga Gennai
Hikaru Kurosaki: Koroku
Eto Jun: TsuruzoRyusuke Sakitsu: Ryukichi
Masato Hoshi: Utanosuke
Mayumi Asaka: Otoki
Hiroyuki Sanada: Hayate Kozo
Etsuko Shihomi: Shiina Misato

Akiko Takahashi: Oharu
Mayumi Tokunaga: Okei Kiki Kirin: Orin

Kyoichi Sato: Gensai Kuroiwa
Hayashi Shotaro: Anabuki Samon

Mikio Narita: O'oka Tadamitsu
Renji Ishibashi: Tokugawa Ieshige
Narrator: Asao Koike

O'oka's 26 loyalists

Conspirator #01: Chief Overseer, Honda Denkuro
Conspirator #02: Miyake Bakushu
Conspirator #03: Hiranuma Tajuro
Conspirator #04: Clan Councillor, Takanuki Hyobu
Conspirator #05: Nishioji Yorifusa
Conspirator #06: Lady Yamanobe
Conspirator #07: Sakasaki Rando
Conspirator #08: Marusadaya Sukezaemon
Conspirator #09: Enshuya Kahei
Conspirator #10: Naniwaya Mohei
Conspirator #11: Finance Minister, Serizawa Hyobu
Conspirator #12: Saike Shuin
Conspirator #13: Gensei Hoshi
Conspirator #14: Awazu Denshu
Conspirator #15: Shichibei
Conspirator #16: "Thistle" Osen
Conspirator #17: (Conspirator not revealed; hinted to be Shiina Misato)
Conspirator #18: Sadojima Hyoei
Conspirator #19: Moroguchi Dogen
Conspirator #20: Negoro no Yatoji
Conspirator #21: Tamana Genryu
Conspirator #22: Kofu Inspector, Tsutsui Shogen
Conspirator #23: Rinjuin Kakuko
Conspirator #24: Hanasode Tayu
Conspirator #25: Hozoin Ransetsu
Conspirator #26: Kotani Senshiro

This series can be ordered at Far East Flix HERE.

Kage No Gundan 2: Episode 25

Episode 25: IGA VS. KOGA: THE LAST BATTLE (SAISHUKAI ZENPEN: IGA TAI KOGA, SAIDAI NO GEKITOTSU! *****

Directed by Ikuo Sekimoto

"Maybe...this is the end for us."


Two former Iga agents living as woodcutters return home from a days work to find their family murdered by the Koga. The ninja return and slaughter one of the men and capture the other. The old man manages to get a message away in time via carrier pigeon. However, the Shiina expected this and watch nearby. One of the Shiina warriors sends his dog, Hanamaru to chase the pigeon. Tracing it back to Yamabiko, the Shiina now know where the stray Iga are hiding out.


Shin reads the note and ponders why the Koga would kill Taichi Nisuke's family. Orin and Okei suddenly enters asking why Shin isn't ready to carry the portable shrine for use in the festival of the "one eyed Benten"(goddess). The ever horny Orin replies to Shin, "Our sweaty bodies will touch...your hot breath on me..."


Shinpachi exits Yamabiko to investigate the Nisuke murder. While he is out, the eccentric Shiina assassin, Shujin, and his dog, Hanamaru, enter the restaurant followed by a group of men wielding spears. Gohei and Ryukichi know something is wrong. Meanwhile, Shin goes to the Nisuke home and finds a note written by the Shiina that they have Nisuke in their custody. Shin manages to escape just as the house blows sky high.


Back at Yamabiko, Gohei tells his daughter, Oharu, not to let any customers inside. He sends her away and tells her not to come back. She doesn't get far and is caught by the Koga waiting outside. At that time, the Koga and Shiina make their presence known, "We have found it at last...the Shadow Warriors secret location."


Kuroiwa Gensai explains to Gohei that they are hostages and will be used to snatch Tsuge Shinpachi and the rest of the Iga band. The festival continues into the night. Shin returns and is met with some throwing darts by the Shiina. He now realizes the Shadow Warriors have been found. He is given a note via an arrow demanding he give himself up along with the three others or else Oharu and Nisuke will be killed. Shin takes to a huge drum signaling through code to the other Iga that help is coming.


Shin, Tsuruzo, Koroku and Otoki make a plan to get to the restaurant and free Gohei and the others. They decide to make their way through an underground tunnel leading to Yamabiko. The Shiina dog smells them and the villains attack. Retreating, Koroku uses a trap to cave in the underground. Suddenly, a large arrow attached to a thick rope rips through the wall. A familiar laugh is heard. Doctor Gennai emerges through the wall carrying what he calls his new "rope cannon". Able to support two grown men, the plan is to use this weapon to secretly enter Yamabiko from the roof under cover of the loudness of the fireworks. The doctor exits and leaves the Iga to their plan.


Wearing a lion dancing costume, Shin and the others enter the house taken over by Anabuki Samon and his Shiina warriors. Revealing themselves, the Shadow Warriors manage to obtain hostages of their own. Samon escapes and makes his way to Yamabiko. Angered that their base has been overtaken by Shinpachi, Samon then kills Nisuke with a sword strike. Ryukichi attempts an escape but is quickly injured by Gensai. He is brutally beaten. The Koga take Nisuke's dead body outside. The Iga retrieve his corpse when Gensai brings out his hostages. Shin tells him he holds five of his men. Gensai states he doesn't care about useless men and that if he doesn't surrender, he will kill his three hostages and attack.


Then, Okei shows up looking for Oharu announcing the festival cakes are about to be thrown. Tsuru rushes out to rescue her but fails as the Koga capture her. Shin is sent another note of surrender. Using the noise of the fireworks as a cover, the Shadow Warriors use Gennai's rope cannon to launch their attack from the roof. The signal is given and the final battle begins. The Koga engage the remnants of the Iga in a violent and bloody last stand. As the multitude of fighters kill each other, Gohei rushes upstairs to help Koroku. While Gohei fights Samon and a flurry of his men, Shin duels with Gensai and the strange, animalistic Shiina warrior, Shujin.


Gohei rushes Koroku away locking himself upstairs with Samon and a half dozen Koga. The numbers prove too much for Gohei as he is speared repeatedly by the villains. Thinking him to be dead, Gohei utters, "I'm not dead yet." Tugging on a chain, Gohei releases a cluster of spears all which hit their targets. Samon dies and just before Gohei himself expires he says, "Now my journey to hell will be merry..."
 

Downstairs, Shin continues his grueling battle but finally manages to wipe out his two adversaries. The fight now over, the Shadow Warriors find Gohei's corpse upstairs amongst a gallery of dead Shiina agents. The Shogunate guards destroyed, the Iga burn Gohei atop a funeral pyre and prepare for the final stage of their long journey for vengeance. "Gohei, your death will not be in vain. Even if I am cut to ribbons...I will kill O'oka Tadamitsu!"


Ikuo Sekimoto abandons his exploitation tendencies to deliver a tight and taut action packed and suspense filled episode. One of the best 46 minutes you're likely to spend with a jidageki television program made all the more powerful if you've been following the series from the beginning. Sekimoto carefully builds the tension wringing every bit of hopelessness from the Iga's plight before the slam bang finish. The show has some humorous moments near the beginning but this is quickly replaced by serious dramatic incident once some of the Iga and innocent lives are captured. The Shadow Warriors form up in one building while the Koga entrench themselves in another with the Edo occupants enjoying the festival in the middle, oblivious to the violence going on around them.


Little is left out of this one. Orin gets in some choice comical bits throughout. There's a hilarious sequence where Orin and Okei argue over the virtues of their butts. Orin comments on the roundness of her tush and demands that Shin explain why he doesn't want it. Gohei tells her, "You should try sitting on it." The Hayate Kid is absent from this episode although he does return for the finale. The death of Gohei is quite the shocker especially the way the show builds to its conclusion. The audience is led to think that Ryukichi will be the ill fated ninja to meet his doom at the hands of the eager Iga killers. He is brutally beaten and stabbed several times by Gensai. Sonny Chiba is especially intense in these last two episodes showcasing some strong emotion even behind his mask.


This is easily one of the finest episodes of the entire series and despite the conspirator angle seemingly abandoned at this point (a conspirator was also not named in episode 17, but hinted at instead), it doesn't really matter as the action and shock occurrence comes at such a rapid pace, the viewer hasn't the time to dwell on who the 25th conspirator is supposed to be. Judging by two characters that appear in episode 26, I assume that they are the last two loyalists. Highly recommended, this show (as well as the next) is for the action fan and doesn't disappoint in any department.

Continued in Episode Twenty-Six: THE HEAD OF O'OKA!!!