Men,
what happens if she gets away?
Get away from us? That's crazy.
So is your impudence.
Stay back!
Now,
you die.
Jin! You must not kill her.
Or Lady Haku will kill you.
I got this!
Yeehaa!
Kokuryu! What are you doing?!
Sorry...Uto.
You die.
For once, I agree.
Wait up! Don't leave me!
Been a good girl, Miya?
Yes Father!
But, I want to go outside...
This is for your safety, my dear.
Understand?
I do.
I'm sorry! Don't hate me!
Hate you?
How could I?
As long as you don't use your power without my permission.
Really?
Of course.
I'm so relieved...
Listen. You are special, Miya.
Your heavenly power
was bestowed only upon you. It's a blessing.
What's this?
A lucky charm to remind you,
of your promise.
Father...
I must find the Foxes...
Foxes?
I loves me some fox meat!
Think you can escape the Negoro-shu?
I'll never forgive what you've done.
Never!
Let's go.
A few days earlier
That murdered magistrate...
Must've screwed over the wrong people.
No doubt. I hear it was the Foxes' doing.
The Foxes?
A clan goes by that name. Rumor has it they're hired killers.
That's scary! It's just a rumor, right?
- Maybe. Scary! - It sure ain't funny!
The Foxes...
Chihiro Yamamoto
Maimi Yajima
Sakurako Okubo
Mami Fujioka
Yuki Kubota
Kentaro Shimazu Hideo Ishiguro
Koji Nakamura Masayuki Deai Kanon Miyahara
Takeshi Masu
Yasuaki Kurata
Huh?
I don't get it.
The lance goes here...
Excuse me...
What am I doing wrong?
Hey!
How could you?
It's not yours to finish.
I'm sorry, it was...
...easy.
I know I'm no good at it.
I didn't mean...
Stop bothering me. Get lost!
Wait! Listen...
Take me to...the Foxes.
The Foxes?
I heard a rumor.
About a clan on this mountain that takes on any mission.
Oh? Never heard of them.
Please!
I must meet the Foxes.
Why?
I need their help.
I see.
In that case...
Kasumi! Get rid of her.
No! Don't!
Please forgive me!
I'm truly sorry...
She'll be fine.
Thank goodness...
So, what's your name?
Miya.
I'm Rikka.
Hey...
Come on.
You'll take me?
I'm curious now.
Can't find her!
Huntin' foxes maybe.
Foxes?
Stop joking around!
Foxes, you say?
What did the girl say?
Er, that she's lookin' for foxes!
Intriguing.
Our pride is at stake. Failure is not an option.
Your petty pride means nothing to me,
but failure concerns me greatly.
Shigetsugu.
We have until the date we agreed.
You do.
But your employer is not a patient man.
Is that so? I'll keep it in mind.
About that hawk...
You mean Kasumi?
My father made it long ago.
He must be a great man.
Be careful what you touch.
I guess I should.
The Foxes aren't agents of good.
To get what you want, you must pay a price.
I know.
From here on,
there's no going back.
I've made up my mind.
Fine...
State your business.
Well...I...
State your business, I said.
Miya.
I request your help.
You know...
...of we Foxes?
I do.
The Negoro-shu killed my father, Roren...
I seek...vengeance.
You father...was murdered?
One month ago...
Check.
Hey, you could go easy on me a little.
You wouldn't like it.
I wouldn't, but...
You're mean.
Are you... Shigetsugu's henchmen?!
"Henchmen"? How insulting.
Father!
Miya! Run!
They've come for you!
Silence!
Do as your father tells you, Miya!
Silence, I said!
Miya!
Run!
No!
Run!
Miya!
My mother died when I was young,
and my father
nurtured my strange power, and raised me with care.
But then...
This is
our entire wealth.
I hear much about the Negoro-shu.
However...
That may not be enough.
I will pay any cost, even with my life.
You are prepared to sacrifice yourself?
As you wish.
Wait!
Miya, are you sure?
If your father truly cared for you,
he wouldn't want this...
Stay out of this, Rikka!
Grandfather...
You are my grandchild,
but you have no right to defy me!
Thank you, Rikka.
But...
...it's my decision.
Please, avenge my father.
Very well.
As leader of the Fox clan,
and 6th head of the Isurugi family,
I, Hyoe Isurugi, accept your request.
What is it?
A night raid. By the Negoro-shu!
Engage them!
Show them how foolish they were to step into this foxes' den!
Rikka.
Take the girl.
Miya, come with me.
Come get kicked to Hell!
Should I run?
But I must wash these...
Forgive me! Forgive me!
I ain't hurtin'!
That's it, I'm running.
Where is she?!
Stop wasting time!
Get back!
Huh. You're wasted.
- Rikka! - Don't worry.
See? No need to worry. We'd better...
Rikka! Behind you!
If you want to live, give me the girl.
You owe her nothing.
Maybe I don't.
Even so,
I lost my father too.
I won't let her tears be in vain!
You're a Fox too?
I wish I wasn't.
Miya, come on!
I'm sorry! I...
You only startled me. I'm alright.
We meet again,
Miya.
Stay back.
Negoro-shu leader, Haku.
Let's dance.
Rikka Isurugi.
Coming for you.
Is that all?
Rikka!
I told you.
No need to worry.
Devil's gate formation!
You cannot escape...
...our deadly onslaught.
Hate you?
How could I?
As long as you don't use your power
without my permission.
Father...
A lucky charm
to remind you, of your promise.
Forgive me!
Miya...
Forgive me...
I broke...
...my promise...
But...
...I had to...
...protect my friend...
Miya...
It's not over!
Miya!
Miya...
Miya!
I knew it.
You are not fit to lead us.
Why?
Tell me why, damn you!
Why not kill me?!
I'm not like the Foxes.
Or my grandfather.
Don't take me for a fool!
Uto!
We must retreat.
We Negoro-shu
repay our indignities.
Remember this day,
Rikka Isurugi!
Follow!
Grandfather...
You incompetent girl!
If you let our enemies live,
their hatred will multiply,
and we shall suffer for it! However...
If you kill them,
they become harmless corpses.
It's wrong.
Can you say the same
to that girl, who yearns to avenge her father's death?
I...
The head of our family
must command the Foxes,
and ensure our prosperity. That is why, Rikka...
...your merciful kindness...
...is merely a weakness!
The Negoro-shu failed.
Pathetic.
I knew they were pathetic,
but not as pathetic as that.
Pathetic.
They are poor excuses for warrior monks.
I shall capture Miya...
Tell me,
Shigetsugu.
Is it close?
The day when...
...her power shall be mine.
Well?
It is, my lord.
I cannot wait...
...for that day to come.
F-Forgive me!
Who are you?
Oh, I'm Merisa. I'm a maid in this mansion.
Merisa?
An unusual name.
From an unusual person.
Oh...
You...changed me?
I did!
And Rikka? Where is she?
I was told to take you to Master Hyoe once you awoke.
You won't tell me?
This way.
The Negoro-shu slipped away.
Your vengeance is incomplete.
Are they pursuing you because of...
...your power?
My father said the Negoro-shu work for Shigetsugu.
Shigetsugu?
For the time being, it would be best for you to stay here.
Merisa.
Yes sir!
I leave her in your hands.
Wait...
What?
Where is Rikka now?
That girl...
...went against my teachings. For that reason,
she is being severely punished.
Oh no!
Why do I...have to...do this?!
Grandfather...I...
...hate you!
Um...
This is...punishment?
Huh?
Miya? You're awake! Good to see you're doing well.
I am. You're doing better than I thought...
No I'm not.
Look. All these piles.
Help me out, Merisa.
I'm sorry, Rikka. Master Hyoe forbade me from helping you.
Fine, whatever.
Don't be so rough!
Huh?
Master Hyoe, forgive me! I'd better help you.
You'll make more work for me.
I'll help too!
Please fill that tub with water.
Father...
Can't sleep?
Despite having bedding for once.
Want me to...
...mend that?
You?
Washing and cooking aren't my thing,
but I'm actually quite good with my hands.
Like my father?
I lost my father too.
Your father...
What was he like?
In a word...
...eccentric.
Father!
Oh, Rikka!
He built mechanical contraptions,
holed up in his workshop.
The things he made didn't seem useful at all.
I loved my father just the way he was.
He and Grandfather
never saw eye to eye, and then...
A few years ago, he fell ill and died.
Even when he was desperately sick,
he kept on building, to the very end.
Rikka.
You worked hard again?
You'll love this. Come and see.
It was then that I realized, at last.
The things he built
that I thought were useless...
...were all kindly inventions
to make people smile.
I respect my grandfather as the head of our clan,
but I want to keep my father's spirit alive.
So...
even if they deserve it,
I don't want anyone to die.
It would sadden my father.
I'd better sleep.
Shigetsugu...
I knew I'd heard that name.
He leads the domain's security squad.
That means...
...the true mastermind is...
Hello there, miss!
Making miso soup today?
You bought too much, Merisa.
Someone eats a lot.
Thanks always, Merisa.
This is Riri.
This is the big eater...
I am not.
I'm Rikka.
We'll make good friends.
Nice to meet you!
Alright, let's move on.
We're not done?!
Nope. Not even close.
No way...
See you two again soon!
Thank you for waiting.
These are famous?
Your dumplings are delicious!
Splendid, splendid!
He's so fancily dressed...
If it's no bother, may I eat here again?
I am not worthy!
Lord Burado, say the word and I'll deliver to the castle.
No no, it is a lord's duty to see his subjects' happy faces.
Be at ease.
Our lord is truly a man of the people.
We are indeed fortunate to live in his domain.
The lord of this township seems quite popular.
Happy faces my backside.
Burado only gives a hoot about the rich.
He won't so much as look at us poor folk.
Despite that rumor going 'round lately about
abductions of those without kin.
Abductions?
This is so heavy...
That's him!
We're security squad.
Settle down!
What do you want with me?!
You're suspected of stealing.
Tie him up!
Stealing what?!
I've done nothing...
Tell the magistrate.
Take him!
They arrested him?
I saw that man...
Despite that rumor going 'round lately about
abductions of those without kin.
Merisa, I'm sorry.
You go home.
But it's heavy...
Move it!
What is this?! It ain't the magistrate's office!
Take him in!
Oh no...
Thank you, Kasumi.
Let me go!
Keep it down!
Begin.
Do it.
So, did it succeed?
What is this?!
Just like Miya?
What happened?
The equipment is fine, but the test subject
must be predisposed, or it will fail.
Bring the next one!
Don't bother.
There is only a lone...
...chosen one.
Miya?
What are they saying?
Intruder! Seize her! Seize her!
Rikka! How could you? I had such a hard time...
Can we talk?
What's wrong?
I want to know,
about the power you possess.
Well...
Since I can remember...
...I've had this power.
Well done, Miya!
It was minimal at first,
but it pleased my father.
If anyone found out, I'd have become an exhibit.
My father worried about me,
so he gave me a safe space.
Let's begin.
For my sake, he tried
to discover the secret of my power.
The more he experimented,
the stronger it became.
I couldn't contain it.
I see...
About those experiments...
My father was killed...
...because of my power. Because of me.
I accept your terms.
And what of mine?
As of now,
the Foxes withdraw from this matter.
Miya is yours...
...Lady Haku.
Where's Miya? Up already?
She's...
I was ordered to clean Master Hyoe's quarters.
Grandfather!
Where is Miya?
Answer me!
I simply entered into a new agreement.
We Foxes will have nothing to do with that girl now.
You sold her out?!
That girl...
...will only bring us misfortune.
That's not true!
The Negoro-shu work for Shigetsugu,
of the security squad.
We must not make an enemy of the man above him.
I made the right decision, as leader of this clan.
If so...
...I reject your leadership.
What will you do?
I will...
...remake the Isurugi.
Nonsense!
You cannot kill.
You cannot make the right decisions.
How on earth could you make any difference?
I'll show you...
...there is another way!
Rikka...
Please, save Miya...
Shigetsugu.
I'm sick of dumplings. You'd better...
...have good news for me.
Yes, my lord. The Negoro-shu have taken Miya.
Those pathetic vermin?
They are only fit to live as sideshow freaks.
When the time is right, I'll have them arrested and executed.
They must never
pass on what they know.
This is a gift, for when you're older.
When you find your own way in life,
I'm sure it'll help you follow it.
Father,
help me.
You truly...
...are a nuisance.
Don't touch me!
So you are...
...the chosen one.
You've been a bad girl, Miya.
Did you forget your promise?
Father...
Yum!
Shigetsugu's gonna take all the credit.
Screw that. Right, my lady?
Forget that, I want the little vixen. I'll end her.
Wait!
That hurt! Hey!
Fix me up! She hit me here.
Let me go! Stop it! Help!
All I want is a little care!
Help!
Hey! Come back here, girl!
I don't want you!
Outta my way!
Fix me up?
Who are you?!
You're...
Rikka Isurugi.
Coming for you.
Give Miya to me.
You got some nerve,
you little vixen!
Time to die!
Mortal combat is crazy fun!
Not fun, just crazy!
Y'all wrecked my meal!
Yeehaa!
Dang it!
Stay still, dammit!
First white foxes, now a black fox, huh?
Miya isn't here.
Our employer has her now.
Think I'll believe you?
I don't care if you do or don't.
Only I know where Miya is.
Want me to talk?
Try to kill me!
What's stopping you?
Don't you hate me for taking Miya?
I can't forgive you.
And yet...
...I can't hate you!
Devil's gate formation!
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six! Seven!
Eight!
Nine!
Nine-tailed hurricane.
Haku,
where is Miya?
Let's make a deal, Fox to Negoro-shu.
A deal?
If you put us out of our misery, I'll tell you.
Why should I?
Didn't I tell you?
We Negoro-shu repay our indignities.
For my people,
the greatest indignity is to be spared by an enemy!
Even so...
If you won't make a deal, I won't talk.
Why not torture me?
Yes,
that's the way.
We have a deal.
Where is Miya?
You know that large manor house in town?
The domain has built a strange testing station there.
Miya is there,
as a lab rat for samurai swine. It might be too late!
Now, fulfill our deal!
Father?
Good to see you, Miya.
This month without you
has been so lonely.
Why...
Father, you were...
Miya! Run!
Silence!
I ordered the Negoro-shu not to kill him.
His wound isn't fatal. Take him!
I had to be rough with him
because of his greed.
Greed? I resent that. What of your Lord Burado...
Oh dear.
His name slipped out.
Compared to him,
my ambition seems merely childish.
Father, what do you mean?
Roren always had an arrangement with us.
In exchange for a great reward,
he would hold you captive to make his experiments succeed.
That was over 10 years ago.
Despite that, he refused to hand you over to us.
Therefore,
I sent the Negoro-shu for you.
Your power exceeded my expectations.
I couldn't let you go.
Father, don't you...
Of course I'm fond of you.
You're a superb test subject...
...like no other.
Satisfied?
Very.
Emotional stress enhances this power.
Betrayal by a trusted father.
No stress is greater!
At last, I shall obtain unlimited power!
When you die, I hope Hell gives you what you deserve.
Do I deserve it too?
Rikka Isurugi...
When will you...
...grow tired of shaming us?
You're all alive?
So it seems.
More's the pity.
How infuriating...
Lady, was that a laugh?
Lady...
Time for payback.
Follow me if you want to die!
Did it work?
Miya.
My beloved, darling daughter.
Father.
I love you too.
Will you...
...show me your power?
I will.
Marvelous!
What the...
She is complete.
Now I shall rule as I see fit!
You traitor...
Sir!
What?
The one who fought the Negoro-shu is coming.
Who?
Well...
The Black Fox...?
The what?
Riflemen?
Fire!
Aim!
Fire!
I can't stay stuck here!
Haku?!
Negoro-shu.
What is this?
I remembered.
Rikka can wait. Someone else needs to pay first.
Shigetsugu!
You're nothing but lowly excuses for warrior monks.
You'll regret this!
Get outta here.
On the double!
Didn't I tell you?
We Negoro-shu repay our indignities.
Dammit! Shigetsugu comes first, but you're next!
Come on.
Uto! Jin! Kokuryu!
Negoro-shu,
do us proud!
Fire! Fire!
Onward!
If it ain't mortal combat, it ain't no fun!
Until I finish that vixen, I can't die!
Yeehaa!
Come get some!
This farce ends now.
You let us live! You better carry our burden!
Now go!
Thank you.
Miya!
Thank goodness.
Get away from her.
You've made an unusual friend.
Introduce her to your father.
Father...?
But how?
Miya?
That evil Fox
wants to rob you of your father.
We'll be torn apart again.
No.
I won't lose you again.
Then...
...what should you do?
Why?!
Why?
When her power was enhanced, so was her brain,
to destroy unnecessary qualities.
Personality. Intellect.
A tool has no need of them.
Does it, Miya?
You can't be serious.
Miya is no tool!
He is my father.
You won't take him from me.
Miya...
Don't you recognize me?
You said I'm your friend.
...I had to...
...protect my friend...
Please.
Come to your senses!
My father is my everything.
My father is irreplaceable.
My father...
My father!
No...
Burado does not deserve this power.
I shall use this tool for my own purposes.
Please...
Stop this.
Did Grandfather scold you again?
While hunting, I let a trapped hawk go.
You have a kind heart.
Listen, Rikka.
Your kindness is a strength that no one can surpass.
A strength?
Your grandfather follows the old ways, so he'll need time to realize.
But you know,
your kind heart will show you the way forward.
I know you'll come to discover your own way.
My own way...
Now I know.
Thank you, Kasumi.
You reminded me.
I wish all would disappear,
except my father and I.
All of you.
Don't say such sad things.
Remember...
Stay away from us!
We're...
...friends, aren't we?
Rik...ka...
What have I...
What have I done?!
Welcome back...
...Miya.
It's me!
What are you doing, Miya?! Obey your father!
You belong with me...
Farewell, Father.
Miya! Miya, wait!
What will I do?! Are you angry I called you a tool?
I take it back! So...
Father!
Does scum like you deserve to live?
Give me one reason why.
Father!
Miya, stay back!
I am Tamiya sword-style master Shigetsugu Toda.
I challenge you...
...to a fair duel.
Rikka Isurugi.
Coming for you.
Father!
The Negoro-shu...
What of them?
I made a promise.
To carry their burden!
If it ain't mortal combat, it ain't no fun!
I got this!
Very well. Repay them with my life...
...if you can!
No.
Human life...
...must never be taken!
Until I finish that vixen, I can't die!
That's why I...
...will stay true to my way to the very end!
We Negoro-shu repay our indignities!
Nine-tailed...hurricane.
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!
Nine!
Lord Burado...
I have no excuse to offer.
Shigetsugu, you naive fool...
Pathetic.
Pathetic...
Wouldn't you agree?
I'm so glad I met you.
Are you sure? Thanks to you, I'm a mess.
Ow!
- We both are. - Ow!
Rikka! Miya!
Merisa!
- You're back! - We're back!
- I was so worried! - Thanks.
I crave your cooking.
So do I.
You made quite a dramatic exit, but...
For me...
...killing was the only way...
...to accomplish anything.
Not because I was strong.
I was merely afraid...
...and weak.
Grandfather...
Maybe you can...
...do what our ancestors could not.
Show us Foxes a different future.
Rikka.
No...
7th head of the Isurugi family,
Rikka Isurugi.
Yes sir!
"Blueprints: Mechanical dog and flying squirrel"
Looking up at a hazy sky
I remember your kindness that day
Blown by a rising breeze
A vow burning within my heart
A desire to protect the only hope I've found
To share the pain of this unchanging faith with you
I'll live on through every precious day
I'll stay true to this way of mine alone
Burning blades Sharpened senses transcendent
Stepping forward into that limitlessly eternal moment
The hope which I carry on within myself is the only thing
that can illuminate the future and slash through the darkness
Directed and Action Choreographed by Koichi Sakamoto
7th head of the Isurugi family, Rikka Isurugi.
Coming for you!
English subtitles by Don Brown