The Great Yokai War
This is the story of a young boy who moves to a small town after the divorce of his parents. At a local festival, he becomes an unlikely hero when he is chosen as the "Kirin Rider," a protector of all things good. And he must lead Japan's ancient Yokai spirits in their apocalyptic war against the evil bizarre-looking monsters.
Working with a limited budget of $12.1M, the film achieved a steady performer with $15.8M in global revenue (+30% profit margin).
3 wins & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Great Yokai War (2005) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Takashi Miike's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Tadashi Ino
Kawahime
Yasunori Kato
Sunekosuri
Shojo
Agi
Sata
Main Cast & Characters
Tadashi Ino
Played by Ryunosuke Kamiki
A timid young boy chosen as the Kirin Rider to save the yokai from destruction and overcome his fears.
Kawahime
Played by Chiaki Kuriyama
A river spirit yokai who serves as Tadashi's guide and protector throughout his journey.
Yasunori Kato
Played by Etsushi Toyokawa
The main antagonist, a vengeful sorcerer who seeks to mechanize and control all yokai for his evil purposes.
Sunekosuri
Played by Sadao Abe
A small, loyal dog-like yokai who becomes Tadashi's faithful companion and provides comic relief.
Shojo
Played by Hiroyuki Miyasako
A wise, drunken yokai with red hair who helps guide Tadashi and provides mystical knowledge.
Agi
Played by Bunta Sugawara
Tadashi's mysterious and eccentric grandfather who understands the yokai world and its traditions.
Sata
Played by Kaho Minami
Tadashi's older sister who initially dismisses his fears but cares deeply for her brother.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tadashi is a timid boy living in Tokyo, struggling with his parents' divorce and adjusting to life with his mother and brother. He is weak, fearful, and disconnected from his cultural heritage.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Tadashi is randomly selected as the "Kirin Rider" during the festival ceremony, a role that will require him to face supernatural forces. He is terrified and unwilling, but the selection is binding.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Tadashi witnesses the evil spirit Kato capturing and enslaving yokai, turning them into mechanical monsters. He realizes the threat is real and chooses to accept his role as Kirin Rider to stop Kato, despite his fear., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Tadashi confronts Kato but is easily defeated and humiliated. Kato reveals his plan to enslave all yokai and destroy the balance. The stakes become clear: Tadashi is not ready, and the enemy is far more powerful than expected., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tadashi's closest yokai allies are captured and mechanized by Kato. Tadashi is completely alone, his sword is broken, and he nearly dies. He believes he has failed as the Kirin Rider and all is lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tadashi realizes that true courage isn't being fearless—it's acting despite fear. He understands that his compassion for the yokai is his greatest strength. His sword is reforged by his tears and determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Great Yokai War's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Great Yokai War against these established plot points, we can identify how Takashi Miike utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Great Yokai War within the adventure genre.
Takashi Miike's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Takashi Miike films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Great Yokai War represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Takashi Miike filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Takashi Miike analyses, see One Missed Call, Laplace's Witch and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tadashi is a timid boy living in Tokyo, struggling with his parents' divorce and adjusting to life with his mother and brother. He is weak, fearful, and disconnected from his cultural heritage.
Theme
At the village festival, an elder speaks about the importance of courage and believing in oneself, and how the Kirin Rider must protect the balance between humans and yokai. This establishes the theme of finding inner strength.
Worldbuilding
Tadashi travels to his grandfather's rural village for summer. We learn about his family situation, his timid nature, and are introduced to the village's traditions, the festival, and the legend of yokai spirits.
Disruption
Tadashi is randomly selected as the "Kirin Rider" during the festival ceremony, a role that will require him to face supernatural forces. He is terrified and unwilling, but the selection is binding.
Resistance
Tadashi resists his role and tries to go back to normal life, but begins encountering real yokai. His grandfather and villagers try to explain his destiny. Strange phenomena increase as the yokai war approaches.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tadashi witnesses the evil spirit Kato capturing and enslaving yokai, turning them into mechanical monsters. He realizes the threat is real and chooses to accept his role as Kirin Rider to stop Kato, despite his fear.
Mirror World
Tadashi meets Kawahime, the river princess, and other friendly yokai who become his allies. They represent the magical world he must protect and teach him that courage comes from caring for others.
Premise
Tadashi journeys through the yokai realm, meeting various spirits and creatures. He learns about their world, gains allies, and begins training to fulfill his role. Adventures showcase the promise of a magical yokai world.
Midpoint
Tadashi confronts Kato but is easily defeated and humiliated. Kato reveals his plan to enslave all yokai and destroy the balance. The stakes become clear: Tadashi is not ready, and the enemy is far more powerful than expected.
Opposition
Kato's forces grow stronger, capturing more yokai and transforming them into weapons. Tadashi struggles with self-doubt and faces increasing challenges. His friends are captured one by one. The mechanical yokai army advances.
Collapse
Tadashi's closest yokai allies are captured and mechanized by Kato. Tadashi is completely alone, his sword is broken, and he nearly dies. He believes he has failed as the Kirin Rider and all is lost.
Crisis
Tadashi wanders defeated and broken, questioning everything. He reflects on his journey, the friends he's lost, and his own weakness. He must decide whether to give up or find new strength within himself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tadashi realizes that true courage isn't being fearless—it's acting despite fear. He understands that his compassion for the yokai is his greatest strength. His sword is reforged by his tears and determination.
Synthesis
Tadashi leads the free yokai in a final battle against Kato's mechanical army. He combines his newfound courage with the lessons he's learned, fighting to free the enslaved spirits and restore balance. Final confrontation with Kato.
Transformation
Tadashi returns to his village, no longer the timid, fearful boy. He stands confident, having found his inner strength. He embraces his cultural heritage and has matured through his journey, ready to face life's challenges.