Blu Release – 4/5
100 Monsters
Director – Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Ghost Story: Depth of Kasane, Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider’s Lair)
Starring – Shinobu Araki (Satan’s Sword 3: The Final Chapter, The Temple of Wild Geese), Saburo Date (Song of the Devil, Wolf Guy), and Jun Fujimaki (Demon Spies, Daimajin)
Release Date – 1968
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “A fantastic world unlike anything you have ever seen!”
Several months ago Arrow Video announced the release of the Yokai Monsters box set. The artwork really caught my attention so I quickly looked into the movies to see what they were like. After checking out a few trailers I knew I would fucking love them. I reached out to MVD, who was handling the American releases for Arrow, to see about reviewing it. When the standard edition was gearing up for release they were kind enough to send the box set my way for review. After watching Mondo Macabro’s Hiruko the Goblin I figured now was as good enough time as any to finally check them out. I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this amazing set my way.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a small village who are moving out of their traditional values into a more modern lifestyle. A local business owner wants to tear down an ancient shrine in order to build a brothel but refuses to surrender to local legends. He listens to a village elder tell the story of the 100 monsters but still doesn’t believe it. Soon the village is overrun by the 100 monsters from lore. **Spoiler Alert**
I knew 100 Monsters was going a bit different but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I loved the look of the film and the light humor does find it’s mark without taking away from the story and pacing. It is a very enjoyable film especially if you don’t take it so seriously.
The acting in this one is so much fun. The film is full of colorful characters and energetic performances. I loved the characters and the cast does a fantastic job bringing them to life. As fun as the story is, it’s the characters that makes the film as enjoyable as it is. The story for this one is a lot of fun. It’s not a horror film per’se but it is a fun fantasy comedy with monsters. The monsters are not scary or bone chilling but I really enjoyed the lore behind them and how they were used in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, use of humor to break up the scene, and the backstory they delivered. Character development is put in the bac burner here but it’s not something that completely ruin the experience.
Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and puppets along with some classic camera tricks to make the gag effective. I liked most of the monsters and their look but the lack of blood was a bit disappointing. Overall, 100 Monsters was not the movie I was expecting but I had so much fucking fun with it. Horror hipsters may bitch about it but for those of you that are looking for something fun to watch will appreciate this late 60s flick. I recommend it.
Spook Warfare
Director – Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Fangs of Darkness: Vengeance, The Invisible Swordsman)
Starring – Yoshihiko Aoyama (The Oiwa Phantom, Zero Fighters), Hideki Hanamura (Devil’s Temple, Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy), Chikara Hashimoto (Fists of Fury, Gamera vs. Viras)
Release Date – 1968
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “The most bizarre monsters the world has ever seen”
A week or so ago I decided to take a stab at the Yokai Monster Collection from Arrow Video. I started with 100 Monsters and fucking loved it. I loved the style of the film and the monsters made it so much fun. I was fully prepared to start on the second film in the set, Spook Warfare, but decided to watch the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion with my kids instead. After a week or so of watching the series and the follow up films I’ve decided it was time to go back and finish this set. I had a lot of fun with 100 Monsters and Spook Warfare did not disappoint.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a Babylonian demon who is accidentally resurrected by some grave robbers. As he makes his way through Japan he is spotted by a water spirit who tries to warn the other monsters. They disregard him but as things take a turn for the worse they band together to stop it from destroying their beloved country. **Spoiler Alert**
Spook Warfare was a lot of fun but not quite as enjoyable as 100 Monsters. It still has the same style and look of the other film but the story is choppier and uneven. I still had fun with it and even loved the idea behind the story but the film itself could use some polish and some smoother editing.
The acting in this one is solid but it’s the monsters that steal the show. I liked the cast for the most part but every scene with the monsters was so much fun. I loved their energy, how they acted with each other, and their personalities. It was so much fun watching them interact and carry the scene. The story for this one is essentially a Yokai vs Babylon demon. It has some great moments especially if you love campy fantasy movies about monsters and demons but I feel like something more could have been done with this story. It’s great as is but could have been a genre defining film if more was applied to it.
Finally, no blood and gore here but I did love the masks and costumes wore by the creatures. They are a bit campy but it only adds to the atmosphere and look of the film. Overall, Spook Warfare is a great addition to the Yokai Monster collection. The story does get a bit chaotic at times which makes if a little difficult to follow but it’s still very enjoyable. Check it out.
Along With Ghosts
Director(s) – Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Mirrorman, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) and Kimiyoshi Yasuda (The Lefty Swordsman, Tokyo Gambler)
Starring – Kojiro Hongo (Satan’s Sword, The Falcon Fighter), Pepe Hozumi (Ultraman Dyna, Super Robot Mach Baron), and Masami Burukido
Release Date – 1969
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “The most spectacular specters the world has ever seen”
When I started the Yokai Monsters journey I never knew what to expect when Arrow Video sent the release my way. However, I was very pleased with the look and style of the first film in the set 100 Monsters. The film was so much fun and the look of the film is something that I’m still thinking about several days later.
I spent some time with Neon Genesis Evangelion before I decided to continue through the Yokai Monsters set. Spook Warfare was a lot of fun as well but just didn’t work out for me as well as the first film. Once I finished Spook Warfare I went ahead and tossed in the final film in the original Yokai Monsters trilogy Along with Ghosts.
**Spoiler Alert** The film begins with a caretaker in a cemetery who is murdered by a group of thugs. His daughter finds his body and possible clue to who murdered him. As the gangsters try to find her and get rid of the evidence they soon find themselves at the mercy of the Yokai. **Spoiler alert**
Along with Ghosts fits in with the previous two films very well. It’s a copy cat of the other films in sense of style and atmosphere but I found the story of this one to be a little bit more fluid than Spook Warfare. It didn’t feel as chaotic and overwhelming than the other film. Honestly, this is probably my second favorite film of the three.
The acting in this one fits the film but the characters are nowhere near as fun as the creatures. This is one of the many consistent themes throughout these films. The cast is great but the humans are merely there for story purposes while the creatures steal the show. The story for this one mixes gangsters with monsters and it’s surprisingly a lot of fun. The film is written better than Spook Warfare which makes it a tad more enjoyable. It’s easier to follow, better pacing, and the story has a little more imagination.
Finally, this is not a bloody flick. We get some fun monsters and great atmosphere but that’s the extent of it. It’s a fantasy crime film with monsters so don’t expect a blood bath. Overall, Along with Ghosts is a fantastic installment in the Yokai Monsters trilogy. Sadly, it’s an end to an era with these films but it goes out with a bang.
The Great Yokai War
Director – Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition)
Starring – Ryunosuke Kamiki (Bloody Monday, Summer Wars), Hiroyuki Miyasako (The Laughing Policeman, Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial), and Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill Vol. 1)
Release Date – 2005
Rating – 4/5
When I originally received the Yokai Monsters Collection set from Arrow Video I was under the impression that it house four films from the late 60s and early 70s. I had never seen these films before but the trailer for the films looked extremely fun. That was the reason I reached out to MVD to see if I would review it. While 100 Monsters, Spook Warfare, and Along with Ghosts were exactly what I expected.
I was surprised that the fourth film was more modern and was directed by legendary filmmaker Takashi Miike. The film, The Great Yokai War, was a loose remake of Spook Warfare and my favorite film in the set. It was absolutely amazing and I’m extremely grateful that it was included in the set. Once again, I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young boy who moves in with his grandpa in a new town. During a festival he was chosen as kirin rider which is expected to protect the yokai, a group of ancient creatures and beings. However, this could not come at the worst time as an evil man and his army of mechanical creatures ravage Japan in search of yokais that he uses to turn into his mechanical followers. It’s up to the kirin rider and the surviving yokais to stop the evil man and his mechanical abominations. **Spoiler Alert**
The Great Yokai War is absolutely fantastic. It’s a fantasy adventure film for children but I found myself loving every minute of it. It does try to capture that look and style of the original Yokai trilogy but it has a more modern influence. Regardless, I thought it was absolutely fantastic and the highlight of this set.
The acting in this one is great. The characters have just as much personality as the creatures which makes the scene way more enjoyable than the previous films in the set. They are funny, full of energy, and work so well together. Honestly, I loved the entire cast and the characters they portrayed. I know there is a sequel and I seriously hope it features returning cast and characters.
The story for this one is a loose remake of Spook Warfare but it adds much more to the story. As I stated earlier, this is a film aimed to children but I found it to be funny and very charming. I loved how it used Spook Warfare as the basis for the film while building so much more to it. It’s a superhero movie that reminded me a lot of the Japanese super sentai shows and clones except it had Miike’s touch and the Yokai Monsters influence. You never know what to expect and the film progressed and the pacing is damn near perfect. The film is over two hours long but it doesn’t feel that way while watching it. The writing is smooth and not lazy as the other films.
Finally, the film has plenty of make-up and practical effects along with some dated visual effects. I loved the look of the yokai and really loved the cyberpunk look of the mechanical creatures but some a good bit of the scenes used some dated visual effects that just don’t hold up well now. It doesn’t ruin the film but it is very noticeable. Overall, The Great Yokai War is a must see for fans of Japanese cinema and those of you that grew up with shows like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and so on. It’s absolutely fantastic and you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it.
Special Features:
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all four films
Optional English subtitles on all four films
Illustrated 60-page collectors’ book featuring new writing on the series by Stuart Galbraith IV, Raffael Coronelli and Jolyon Yates
Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jolyon Yates
Postcards featuring newly commissioned artwork for each film by Jolyon Yates
Foldout ‘yokai guide’ poster illustrated by Jolyon Yates
Disc One – 100 Monsters
Original uncompressed Japanese mono audio
Hiding in Plain Sight, a brand new documentary giving a primer on yokai for Western audiences, featuring interviews with experts Matt Alt, Zack Davisson, Kim Newman, Lynda E. Rucker and Hiroko Yoda
Theatrical trailer
US re-release trailer
Image gallery
Disc Two – Spook Warfare / Along With Ghosts
Brand new 4K restoration of Spook Warfare by Kadokawa Pictures
Original uncompressed Japanese mono audio for both films
Theatrical trailers for both films
US re-release trailers for both films
Image galleries for both films
Disc Three – The Great Yokai War
DTS-HD MA 5.1 original Japanese and dubbed English audio
Brand new audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes
Archive interviews with the cast and crew, including Takashi Miike
Short Drama of Yokai, two shorts detailing the further adventures of the yokai
Another Story of Kawataro, two shorts featuring the continuing story of the kappa character in the film
World Yokai Conference, a publicity event where Miike speaks about the film
Promotional Events, video of the press conference to announce the start and completion of filming, as well as the premiere in Tokyo
Documentary on the film’s young star, Ryunosuki Kamiki, and his experience making the film
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery
