Predator vs Samurai
edited together into one pic by Red Samurai.
After the premier of Prey (2022) which is set in 1719, showing a young Comanche warrior, Naru, who protects her tribe against a Predator, fans have been asking for a similar one which is set in Feudal Japan starring none other than Hiroyuki Sanada, as a Ronin fighting against the Predator. Each with their own theories of what the plot might be and how the story unfolds.
Interestingly, there is already a short story titled, Three Sparks, which was published by Titan Books in 2017 as part of the anthology, Predator : If It Bleeds. Set in Feudal Japan, the story follows a disgraced former Samurai named, Nasu Hiroto, who is offered a chance at redemption if he will hunt and kill the mysterious demon that is slaughtering all who come to face it.
The story that I will tell you is a mix of history, legend and what the book says.
The story is set in the aftermath of Genpei War (way before Ghost of Tsushima). After the defeat of the Taira by the Minamoto which changes the course of Japanese history with the establishment of the first military rule of the Shogunate, Nasu Hiroto, hero of the Battle of Dan-no-ura, retires from being a Samurai, probably weathered and shocked by what he had seen.
The battle was a tragedy where the Taira were outnumbered and cornered into the sea by the Minamoto where the men and women chose to drown themselves into the sea to avoid capture, each believing that they have a new capital under the sea where they will go to. There are legends of vengeful spirits of the Taira haunting those who venture there since.
Scene of burning Taira Ships and a vengeful Taira Samurai spirit from the Japanese Historical Drama, Yoshitsune.
In the book, while the main character, Nasu Hiroto is fictional, it is likely that he is based on the actual hero of the Battle of Dan-no-ura in history, Yoshitsune. But since Yoshitsune died after the battle, in the book it is shown that he retires but called back into service by the Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who does exist in real life, being the first Shogun.
Abandoning his post as a Samurai is considered dishonourable, so the Shogun initially wanted to execute him but is willing to pardon him if he were to mount an expedition to investigate the rumours of random killings by a terrifying Oni (demon) that is terrorizing the Aokigahara Forest, which is an actual place near Mount Fuji today known as the Suicide Forest.
Nasu Hiroto and a young arrogant Samurai, Ashikaga Motokane, set off to find the Oni that is supposedly large and strong, kills with blades and bolts of lightning and can even render itself invisible at will. Ashikaga is skeptic of the tales told by the villagers as none of them were killed except the Samurai, so he believes it is a plot by the peasants to oppose the Samurai.
A point I would like to point out here is that, Ashikaga Motokane, is a fictional character but the Clan he belongs to, Ashikaga is real. In history, Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura Shogunate which lasted for many years before Ashikaga Takauji established the Ashikaga Shogunate. So it is logical that Ashikaga dislikes Nasu who serves the Minamoto.
Back to the story, the war veteran, Nasu Hiroto however, believes that there is more than meets the eye as they venture through other villages and deep into the forest.
You can read the full summary here.
If they were to make a live action movie of this book, I think it would be interesting to see them throw in more actual history and legends. The opening scene could show Battle of Dan-no-ura, and then the story moves into few years later where there are random sightings of demons across the lands, some said to be the curse of the vengeful spirits of the defeated Taira.
Or perhaps the Samurai and Lords being killed randomly might be speculated to be the works of the Ninjas working for rival Clans who are against the Minamoto rule or still supports the late Taira and so on. It was only until Hiroyuki Sanada's character was called by the Shogun to investigate that he realizes something else much worse is at play.
Fan Art of Kabuki Predator by Leandro Benigno
While there are countless fan arts of Predator clad in Samurai armour, I think this look is the most fitting of all as it has the demonic look with a Kabuki mask. A figure which you can easily mistook as any demon or deity you might see in some Shinto shrines in Japan. I also like that the story is set during the Heian Period where there are folktales of ghosts and demons.
Either way, I would very much like to see a Samurai vs Predator movie!
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