Otogi Zoshi: The Legend of Magatama

When the legendary gem Magatama is stolen by the barbaric Tsuchigumo clan, one noble warrior receives the order to bring the jewel back to the capital city of Heian: his name is Minamoto no Raiko. But Raiko's unexpected illness forces him to renounce the accomplishment of his perilious mission. And so Hikaru, the youngest daughter of the Minamoto family, disguises herself as a man, and assuming the identity of her elder brother Raiko, starts her journey in search of the Magatama. Together with Watanabe no Tsuna, an one-eyed retainer who made an oath of brotherhood with Raiko, Hikaru heads to Hitachi-no-Kuni, the land of the Tsuchigumo clan, but she is attacked by her enemies on the way. Her hands hesitate while she draws her bow, and for the first time in her life, Hikaru shoots an arrow at another human being.

Wounded after the battle with the Tsuchigumo warriors, Raiko (=Hikaru) is convinced by Tsuna to take some rest in a village nearby. But on their way, they come across a man from the village named Sadamitsu, who is accompanied by two women. Although Raiko and Tsuna have never seen this man before, Sadamitsu shows open hostility towards the two travellers. Furthermore, the village headman explains that they are living in peace with the Tsuchigumo clan, and begs Raiko not to fight with them any further. Raiko is confused by these words, but she will soon discover the unexpected truth about the village...

With their new companion Sadamitsu, Raiko and Tsuna approach the caves where the Tsuchigumos dwell. Inside the caves they meet with Kuzume, a young girl from the village kept in captivity by the Tsuchigumo clan. Raiko and her team advance deeper and deeper inside the cave, and in the innermost recess of this underground world, they finally see an altar emanating a holy light: it's the Magatama! But a huge shadow steps before them: for Raiko and her friends, it is time to face Hoshikuma, the feared commander of the Tsuchigumo clan!

The whole city of Heian welcomes Raiko, who's succeeded in bringing the legendary jewel Magatama back to the capital. But sadness fills Hikaru's heart, as she has been unable to save the life of her brother. Hikaru retreats in solitude by the Rashomon Gate, and while sadly looking over the city from the top of the gate, she starts playing the flute she had received from her brother. Suddenly she realizes that a young and handsome jester is silently dancing by her side. His name is Mansairaku. But there is no time to think: a shower of arrows coming from the bottom of the stairs invests Hikaru. The Rashomon Gate is commonly believed to be a haunted place where demons and other supernatural creatures appear, and the guards, alarmed by the sound of the flute and the mysterious dance, have rushed to the spot. Will Hikaru and Mansairaku escape?

Raiko, Tsuna and Sadamitsu venture on a new journey to the Western provinces, and this time they are accompanied by a girl named Urabe, who has been appointed by the Emperor himself. Their first task is to reach an island in the Seto Inland Sea, known as the Cursed Island, where a gang of pirates is said to store the Water Magatama. Dressed in female outfits to disguise their true identities, the travellers are welcomed without any suspicion by the inhabitants of a village on the coast near the island. Raiko is confident that her plan to capture the Magatama is proceeding well, but due to a terrible accident caused by Urabe, the fellowship seems to be on the verge of disruption. Will Raiko be able to hold her team together?

Like a forest of stupas floating in the mist, countless oars are standing like eerie towers on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. One of these islands, called Noroijima, the Cursed Island, is the den of Torakuma, chief of a pirate gang who is said to be in possession of the Water Magatama. Hikaru and her fellows sail toward Noroijima...

In the midst of an ephemeral moment of dream that has brought tranquility to her heart, Hikaru is suddenly awakened by an assault of unknown and hostile men. Despite her courage, she is no match for so many foes. When any resistance seems pointless and she is about to fall into enemy's hands, an unexpected friend comes out from the shadow...

Raiko and her fellows are finally approaching Chinzei, the land of Shuten Doji, leader of the Kumaso clan. They bend their steps through the heart of enemy territory and towards their final destination, the Kumaso's fortress. But once in front of this unusual system of buildings and fortifications, they are welcomed by a giant fireball launched from inside the walls.

Raiko and her fellows rush to Heian, and report to the Court about Shuten Doji's plans. But their words are despised, and instead they receive an order to remain confined to their quarters. One night, Hikaru makes up her mind: with the flute received from her brother, she leaves the palace behind her.

Hikaru, Sadamitsu and Tsuna climb the slope of Oeyama, where the besieging Shuten Doji's army has its main encampment. Looking down, the city below them appears devoured by the flames of a raging inferno, caused by the overwhelming power of the incredible weaponry of Kumaso. How can Hikaru and her followers save Heian and themselves from the approaching catastrophe?

At Oeyama, Raiko has succeeded in seizing the Fire Magatama, but she is attacked by an unexpected assassin. Devastated by fire, the proud city of Heian appears now as a poor burned corpse in front of the astonished fellowship. But inside the palace walls, the Lords of the Right and the Left seem to be indifferent to the disaster that has ravaged the city, and instead are rather concerned about their own plans.

Nobody but Hikaru can stop the stars and the fate they are bringing to the human world. And now, instigated by the onmyoji's conspiracy, even the guards of Heian are after Hikaru and her fellows -alive or dead. But there is no time left.

Hikaru is standing firm at the Rashomon Gate. For the words her brother left to her. For the hopes that her friends entrusted to her. For the prayers of the people of Heian. Her woman's heart, her disguised identity as Raiko, everything is now behind her; and for the first time, Hikaru shoots her arrows to kill.