The story takes place in the year 1614. Two ninja clans, Tsubagakure of the Iga and Manjidani of Kouga, battle each other to determine which grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu will become the next shogun. The deadly competition between 10 elite ninja from each clan unleashes a centuries-old hatred that threatens to destroy all hope for peace between them.
The peaks and the valleys. Find the essential episodes — and the ones to skip.
Brought back to the very grounds where the travesty began, forced into this final conflict by political demand, Gennosuke and Oboro face one another on the field of battle. Gennosuke, wounded and poisoned, blinded still by the hands of the Iga. Oboro, unskilled in the arts of war and unwilling to prove false to her love. Neither with a care as to whom will inherit the title of Shogun.
With the secret scroll now in Gennosuke's possession, the Iga's elaborate deception has come to an end. At last, the Kouga knows of the old Shogun's fateful decree. As Oboro makes a last stand between the clans, begging for peace between them, Gennosuke takes advantage of her love to make good his escape. Alone, pressured to fight with the Iga, Oboro makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Gennosuke cuts the serpent down at long last, the one responsible for fueling the enmity between the Kouga and the Iga for two centuries past. The one, whom among all others, will not allow for peace between them. As they stand reunited, Oboro begs for death, unable in her love to stand against Gennosuke. But Kagero and Tenzen, each with their dying breath, set the final confrontation in motion.
Lord Ieyasu and the nobles review the carnage from a safe distance, tallying the deaths after only two days since the peace was broken. Unconcerned with the loss of life, rather their interest lies in the outcome of the wager and who shall inherit the title of Shogun, for the rift has grown great indeed. But for the Kouga and the Iga, this is far more personal?
Each point is an episode, plotted in order. Colored bands mark season boundaries. Look for the rise, the plateau, or the decline.
High votes + high rating = beloved classic. High votes + low rating = notorious stinker. Low votes + high rating = hidden gem.
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