Yokai Daisenso - Some time a few hundred years ago, a pair of Arab tomb-raiders are pillaging an ancient Babylonian ruin when Daimon, an ancient evil spirit, is released from its prison and makes its way to Feudal Japan.
Killing a benevolent Lord and assuming his identity, Daimon proceeds to do anti-social things like smash holy shrines and drink peoples' blood. Eventually, when he starts actively kidnapping children for midnight snacks, the local spirits (or Yokai), decide enough is enough and band together to oust the foreigner and strike a blow for the pride of Japanese monsters everywhere.
One of the Lord’s Samurai Retainers, Shinpachiro, also takes an active role in fighting Daimon, going as far as to visit his Uncle, a Buddhist Monk, to get the necessary occult weapons. Now they must wage war against a creature much more powerful than any of them -- and even killing Daimon might not end the battle.
It's a well made, fast-moving, and fascinating trip into the mythologies of a different culture. The special effects are outstanding, considering the year was 1968, the monsters look exactly like they do in the old woodblock prints and watercolor paintings that depict them.
Yokai are Japan's traditional creepy-crawlies. Almost always encountered in the dark of night, they were once feared throughout the land.
STARRING: AOYAMA YOSHIHIKO, HANAMURA HIDEKI, HASHIMOTO CHIKARA
1968 - JAPANESE with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES - COLOR - 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN - 80 MINUTES
