Yokai Monsters

Just when we’d all learned how to properly conjugate kaiju in a sentence, along comes a whole ‘nother pantheon of Japanese monsters to remember:  Yokai.  Based on Japanese folklore, popularized by manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, and co-opted by the Pokemon phenomenon, Yokai (“strange apparitions) are the cultural equivalent of fairies, goblins or monsters, existing between the spaces of this world and the next and punishing those who misbehave.  Arrow Video’s new special edition box set collects four titles (three from the ‘60s and one from the early aughts) that capture the cinematic madness of these bizarre but usually benevolent spirits.

Produced by Daiei, 100 Monsters (1968) follows the same formula as the studio’s Daimajin series: ruthless feudal warlords tear down a temple and threaten the peasantry only to find themselves under attack by vengeful supernatural entities.  This first entry is slow to develop and lacking personality, but it still manages to introduce many of the monstrosities we’ll come to know in later films such as the snake-necked woman and amphibious kappa water sprite.

 

Kappa takes on a starring role in the much more kid-friendly Spook Warfare (1968), which finds the Yokai teaming up to defeat a blood-sucking Babylonian demon.  Full of elaborate costumes and Abbot and Costello style comedy, the sequel knows on what side its bread is buttered.   Most of the adults are relegated to the background, while a cavalcade of monsters get silly and take center stage.

 

But Along with Ghosts (1969) finds the best balance of the series, using a Lone Wolf and Cub storyline to introduce a good-hearted samurai trying to reunite an orphan with her father.  Here the Yokai come across as truly dangerous to those deserving of their wrath.  Co-directors Kuroda and Yasuda stage the action in shadow and silhouette, turning family friendly fare into something much more terrifying.

 

2005’s The Great Yokai War does a fine job of updating things with CG effects that make the series more accessible to a modern kid audience, but still sneaking in all the costumes and characters that made the Yokai so charming in the first place.  Here we get a typical Arthurian tale of a young boy destined to lead the Yokai in battle against an ancient enemy.  It’s charming, silly and fast-paced, directed with a great deal of energy by Takashi Miike.

 

The limited edition set includes wonderful-looking hi-def presentations of all four films, plus a documentary explain the evolution of Yokai throughout pop culture, interviews, trailers, image galleries, an illustrated 60-page book, postcards and a fold-out poster.

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