Love Ghost of Yōtei? Watch Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins — the Bloody Samurai Film You Need
Ghost of Yōtei adds two special presentation modes inspired by Japanese filmmakers, and for players who like heavy, grounded samurai fights the film 13 Assassins is a clear match. The game includes a Shinichirō Watanabe mode with lo-fi music, and a Takashi Miike Mode that increases gore, mud, and puts the camera closer to the action. Meanwhile, Takashi Miike’s 2010 film 13 Assassins is a remake of a 1963 movie and features a long, clearly staged final battle that many fans of samurai action praise.
Overview
13 Assassins was released in 2010. It was directed by Takashi Miike and is a remake of Eiichi Kudo’s 1963 film of the same name. The film stars Koji Yakusho as the samurai Shimada Shinzaemon and Goro Inagaki as the sadistic Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu. The story follows a small group of samurai who plan to stop Naritsugu before he gains power on the Shogunate Council.
Plot and violence
The film opens with a character committing seppuku (ritual suicide). Next, the movie establishes Naritsugu’s cruelty through explicit actions: he kills and assaults people on-screen. Because of these scenes and the film’s bloody climax, 13 Assassins is notably violent and not suitable for viewers who avoid graphic content.
Key scenes and style
Much of the first half focuses on recruitment and strategy, as Shinzaemon assembles allies. Then the story moves to the town of Ochiai, where the assassins prepare an ambush. In the final act, the group—13 assassins—faces roughly 200 opponents. They use traps, barriers, and the town’s layout to level the odds.
The climactic battle is long and choreographed for clarity. Instead of shaky camera or rapid cutting, the film uses wide shots and practical staging. Consequently, the action remains readable even when many combatants are on-screen. The characters and their armor become caked in blood and mud during the fight, which contributes to the film’s grounded, tactile look.
Where to watch
13 Assassins is available to rent on Amazon and other digital stores. In addition, it is currently streaming free with ads on Philo.
