Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls

- Season 1

(2005)

The leaders of two warrior ninja clans, Iga and Kouga are summoned at Sunpu by the Shogun to start an important competition between the two. An amazing story starts here.

Oboro-dono and Gennosuke-sama have a date. The struggle between the two clans begin trying to get the "Iga copy" of the document that reveals the details of the Ninja tournament with the names of the top ten ninja of each clan.

Drama is intensified as the Iga Clan tries to outsmart their opponents by attacking both Kazamachi Shôgen, who has the Kouga copy of the scroll that talks about the Ninja war both clans are into, and Jubei Shimushi, who travels mysteriously through the forest and is attacked by the Igas in search of information. Meanwhile, while they are nervous, Gennosuke and Oboro still ignore most the information that the Igas (except for Oboro, of course) already have.

A pleasant dinner before more of the Iga hear about the war.

The Kouga begin to fret over the absent Gennosuke, and quiet steps are taken to study the lay of the land. But the overly ambitious Iga tip their hand, as Tenzen's charade fails and clans clash in the heart of the enemy stronghold. Undaunted by this minor setback, in possession of both the knowledge of the scrolls and the Kouga techniques, they set out for home and further horror.

On their return trip to the Iga clan holdings, unexpected bounty is discovered in the wild. One of the Kouga Ten, her life is spared for a darker purpose. But the Kouga have not sat idle, and seeking to learn the motivation behind the recent attack they stumble upon their own surprise catch. The truth struggles to find illumination despite the treachery.

Gennosuke grows wary as hostility mounts, while the other Kouga captive demonstrates dire consequence for the baser forms of assault. Warriors in disguise seek to unearth the hidden deception, the counterfeit aided by desperate belief. The Iga stronghold infiltrated, Oboro is called away to finally learn the truth. The way has been laid for grief.

The time has come to harden the heart, to put hope aside. Siblings seek to reunite to great consequence as certain victory is lost, lying dead as two foes in a salt cellar. The truth shines blinding even through the rain, with one love lost and another broken, and a brother left in mourning. The Kouga remnants stand together in the midst of the Iga storm.

With the secret scroll now in Gennosuke's possession, the Iga's elaborate deception has come to an end. At last, the Kouga knows of the old Shogun's fateful decree. As Oboro makes a last stand between the clans, begging for peace between them, Gennosuke takes advantage of her love to make good his escape. Alone, pressured to fight with the Iga, Oboro makes the ultimate sacrifice.

Lord Ieyasu and the nobles review the carnage from a safe distance, tallying the deaths after only two days since the peace was broken. Unconcerned with the loss of life, rather their interest lies in the outcome of the wager and who shall inherit the title of Shogun, for the rift has grown great indeed. But for the Kouga and the Iga, this is far more personal?

The wheel of Fate has begun to spin, as history looks to repeat itself. Asked to stand united with her clan, against the Kouga and her beloved Gennosuke, Oboro sacrifices their most valuable weapon. But as one lover turns to the light, the other chooses to look away. And what one lover has given up, the other has it taken away. What has been done cannot be undone.

As the challenge set by Gennosuke is accepted, both clans take to the road. But treachery and death follow on their heels. Time allows for reflections upon what once was, before war was unleashed among them, and fond recollection proves a bitter backdrop. All minds travel as one down the path towards the final design, wondering at the end cost.

Lovers reunite as shades in the night, as the gales of war continue unabated. Again equal in number, both the Kouga and the Iga harbor sorrow and despair. But the rage of a few may shape the future of many. As the Kouga prepare to set off again for Sunpu Castle, Tenzen leads the Iga across the ocean waters, with the hope of stopping Gennosuke and his people from reaching their intended destination.

Words from the past haunt Gennosuke, and Oboro is convinced that her life will end by his hands. Far more than the watery distance separates these lost lovers. Yet Tenzen seeks to inspire his leader to live, determined to force himself into the void left by Gennosuke's defection. A servant is torn between two masters as an unseen enemy seeks advantage in the turmoil.

A father's blood on a young boy's hands? Hatred of the past drives one to reckless action, and when two enemies are trapped, one cannot escape the other. There is little room for compassion in a ninja's life, a lesson with a new face as Tenzen rises from the grave. Across the sea a ship sails towards death, and blood will spill yet again.

During a simpler time, well before the political machinations and the dissolution of the no-hostilities pact, a plan was laid to ensure lasting peace between the Kouga and the Iga. A marriage was arranged between the adopted heirs of the two rival clans. Hope was placed on the innocence of youth to clear the path to understanding. A united clan to change the future for all.

The Kouga press on to Sunpu Castle, sorrow a heavy companion. Misdirection in the form of a hawk, and confrontation in the night reveals Gennosuke's true intentions. While one Iga is extended the hand of reconciliation, seeking to silence centuries of hate, another Iga wonders at grievances long-harbored. But not all eyes that appear blind have lost their sight.

Death stands in the path of the Kouga, waiting with baited breath, silent in the night breeze. The mentor's sacrifice ensures the pupil's survival, as Gennosuke is led to safe haven. Accompanied into the shades by recollections of what once was, hope is shed on what may come to be. For the sun is glory, and it shines over all. Not just the Kouga? but over the Iga people as well.

False voices on the night wind play at lies and deceit, leading one without sight to a death without hope. As treachery waits for the moment to act, impatience has goaded political intrigue to seek a more active role in this annihilation of two tribes, upon which the succession rests. And the unseen finally comes to light as the remnants of both tribes learn of the wager which unleashed this war upon them.

On the banks of a river, one left to death has risen again. Having finally learned the truth he set out to find, Gennosuke is resigned to this war that was never theirs. Too much has been lost for either side to turn back. A Kouga is sent out wearing the face of an enemy and finally sees the futile truth in the dying eyes of an Iga. But with her blood on his hands, his fate has been sealed.

Tenzen's secret is revealed at last, the cost of which proves death to a Kouga in disguise. As Lady Ofuku's forces lend strength and protection to the two surviving Iga, they continue on their way to Sunpu Castle. Kagero claims responsibility for the death of Oboro, seeking Gennosuke's affirmation and affection. But when she sets out to prove her lie truth, trust misplaced will prove her undoing.

With Kagero captive, Oboro issues a public challenge, seeking to draw Gennosuke out, desiring to face him one last time. She stops Tenzen at his cruel play, unwilling to bear the suffering of an enemy, and draws his wrath instead. But Gennosuke arrives to face Tenzen at last, forced to defend himself with his greatest weapon still sealed against him. A startling revelation rings out in the night.

Gennosuke cuts the serpent down at long last, the one responsible for fueling the enmity between the Kouga and the Iga for two centuries past. The one, whom among all others, will not allow for peace between them. As they stand reunited, Oboro begs for death, unable in her love to stand against Gennosuke. But Kagero and Tenzen, each with their dying breath, set the final confrontation in motion.

Brought back to the very grounds where the travesty began, forced into this final conflict by political demand, Gennosuke and Oboro face one another on the field of battle. Gennosuke, wounded and poisoned, blinded still by the hands of the Iga. Oboro, unskilled in the arts of war and unwilling to prove false to her love. Neither with a care as to whom will inherit the title of Shogun.