The Last Train To Yokohama

An ancient curse has befallen on the people of Yonago, Japan with the absence of the chosen warrior, Hiro. Hiro moves to the United States and adopts an orphan, Archer, who he raised in the tradition of Shugenjo, an ancient practice which enables the practitioner to have supernatural abilities. When Hiro passes away, the final stages of the resurrection of Shuten-doji are at play. Archer travels to Japan to spread the ashes of his father, but ends up in a fight for his life and the safety of humanity from this ancient malicious force. The mystery of his father’s past comes to fruition when he arrives in Yonago and discovers that the yama no waru (evil of the mountain), has imprisoned his soul as a result of him missing his train, thanks to Chiyo and her seductive antics. He must team up with a local man, Daisuke, who has just lost his family to the sacrifices orchestrated by Chiyo to resurrect Shuten-doji. Archer and Daisuke try to unravel the mystery behind their family lineage, the city of Yonago, and the curse. While they must battle spirits and creatures of legend, they must keep the final sacrifice, Honaka, alive if they are to survive the night and save mankind. Archer and Daisuke have to unravel history and learn how to banish this curse. They have until daybreak to keep her safe, and conquer Shuten-doji, or all of Japan will fall victim to his wrath. Archer must recognize his true destiny and rise up to be the last Shugenja. Daisuke must own up to his family name and stop being so afraid. Archer disrupts the ritual when he rescues Honaka from the sacrifice. In turn, Chiyo/Kitsune unleashes the horrific creatures of Japanese legend in a search through the city to capture her soul. They attempt to solve the mystery of the curse whilst avoiding death at every turn. Archer learns that Daisuke is the nephew of Hiro and that the Ishida lineage is the key to either salvation or total abomination. When the three get split up they encounter various aspects of the spirits that dwell at the base of Mt. Daisen. Some are malevolent while others are merely trapped between the light and the dark. Daisuke encounters the spirits of his wife and son who bestow the truth about Yonago, Chiyo, and what he must do to survive. Archer experiences the heavy lifting as he protects Honaka, and rescues Daisuke from a Tengu, Archer’s injuries drive him even further to defeat his adversaries. Archer learns his true path from an ancient spirit of the light. He learns of Shugendo, Shuten-doji, Hiro, and what he was groomed to accomplish. Honaka dies and leaves Archer feeling like a failure. Daisuke finds his courage starts to become the Ishida he was supposed to be all along. Archer starts to lose faith that they will survive the night and defeat an unworldly order of supernatural beasts. Daisuke has an epic showdown with Kitsune and he unleashes his pent up rage on her for all her all her deceit and lies. Archer defeats an Oni soldier and it becomes Daisuke’s father. As Archer observes the transformation closely, Daisuke rushes in to save Archer and in turn sacrificing himself. They share a special bond as Daisuke slowly passes. He explains to Archer that he must release the ashes of Hiro with a blessing in order to keep his soul from being consumed by Shuten-doji. He tells Archer of a waterfall that is untainted by the yama no waru, and that he must release them before taking on Shuten-doji. Should he consume two Shugenja souls, he would be unstoppable. Archer travels up the mountainside and encounters a spirit of light who guides him to where he must go. As he stares into the waterfall after emptying Hiro’s ashes, and has an epiphany of his past. Suddenly, his life purpose all makes sense. Everything that Hiro had taught him was for this one single moment. Archer and Shuten-doji collide in an incredible fight where Archer struggles to be triumphant. Just as Shuten-doji is going to end Archer’s life, he recalls Hiro’s lessons, and discovers a shard of the sacred blade in Shuten-doji’s armor. Archer uses it to cut the throat of Shuten-doji with some assistance from the spirit of Daisuke. The city of Yonago is sunny and beautiful. The gray overcast has been lifted. The townspeople pass by each other with kind greetings. Children play in the water. Fisherman laugh as they reel fish in to their boats. The steady stream from the mountain creates ripples in the otherwise mirror-like lake. Women dressed in formal kimonos carry baskets of offerings through the path leading to Ogamiyama Shrine. One of the women pass by a statue of a monk and glares with insidious eyes. The city of Yonago is free from its curse. Guillermo delivers Archer’s eulogy at the fire station back in Detroit, Michigan. The captain gives Guillermo an envelope from Archer containing the deed and the keys to Hiro’s dojo. Guillermo goes to the gym and pays his respects to them. A young girl sits on her knees in the forest on Mt. Daisen. Honaka is there with her mother. Daisuke and his family are present. Archer asks the young girl if she is ready to begin her training. She opens her eyes to see Archer standing beside Hiro. Without wholeness, a man’s heart is empty. Without balance, a man’s life is empty.