47 Ronin (2013)

47 Ronin (2013) is an American film set in feudal Japan. It tells the story of the forty-seven rōnin, a group of masterless samurai who sought revenge for their daimyō Asano Naganori’s death at the hands of his rival Kira Yoshinaka. The film, based on the Japanese legend of Chūshingura, was directed by Carl Rinsch and written by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini from an idea by Morgan and Walter Hamada. In this tale, Kai is a half-Japanese, half-English outcast who becomes indebted to Lord Asano, ruler of Akō Domain. Despite societal disapproval due to his mixed heritage, Kai falls in love with Asano’s daughter Mika. However, trouble arises when Shōgun’s master of ceremonies, Lord Kira, seeks to take control of Akō with the assistance of Mizuki – a shapeshifting kitsune. When a kirin attacks Asano and his men during a hunting trip, Kai comes to their rescue. During the fight, he spots Mizuki disguised as a white fox with mismatched eyes.

Upon the arrival of Shōgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in Akō, Kai notices Mizuki disguised as a concubine with the same striking multi-colored eyes. Despite his efforts to warn Asano’s principal counselor, Oishi, about the witch in Kira’s household, he is disregarded. In order to entertain the Shōgun, Kira sets up a duel between his top warrior, a golem, and Asano’s chosen fighter. However, Mizuki uses magic to incapacitate Asano’s combatant. Unwilling to stand by, Kai secretly puts on his armor and joins the fight in place of the injured warrior. Unfortunately, he is eventually uncovered during the duel and receives severe punishment from the Shōgun. That same night, Mizuki bewitches Asano into believing that Kira is responsible for his unarmed attack on the lord. As a result, Asano is sentenced to death and must perform seppuku in order to preserve his honor. To add insult to injury, the Shōgun grants Kira control over Akō and also allows Mika one year of mourning before she is forced to marry him.