Original subtitles

KIHACHI PRODUCTIONS

JAPAN ART THEATRE GUILD

- Once upon a time, there was this young hooligan named Senta.

He had a huge penis like a horse.

Because he was so poor, he could never get married.

He prayed to the god Inari so he would have the most beautiful wife.

In answer to his prayers, the voice of the god told him

that a young woman carrying a Shamisen would come walking by

and he should wait at the gate of the shrine.

Senta waited patiently at the gate.

Finally, a young woman with a Shamisen came.

Senta did not know what to do,

so he was trying to think while he was watching her back.

Then he could not control himself any longer and he started chasing her.

BATTLE CRY (Tokkan)

FIRST YEAR OF MEIJI (1868), APRIL 19th

- Wait! You're no ordinary man.

- If you were an ordinary woman, you couldn't have fought him off like that.

- Were you watching the whole thing?

- Yes, it was a good show.

- Who are you?

I am...

- I already know. You're Staff Officer Sera's mistress.

I've been seeing you often between Tobafushimi and Edo.

Your name is...

- Now I remember. You are Sera-san's subordinate.

- I am not his subordinate. I am a spy.

- What are you doing here?

- Selling the information I gathered.

- Why did you do that?

- Why are you doing such a thing?

- It's punishment. So he will never do that again.

- He has probably never been with a woman.

If he had any experience, he would not fail like he just did.

And he looks to be about my age.

I could not bear watching his manhood being crushed.

He is unconscious yet he is sexually vigorous.

Stop it! You're getting me aroused now...

Calm down...

- What are you doing? You're just a hoodlum!

I'm telling Sera-chan!

- Please! Please, don't resist so hard!

- Mother!

I'm sorry... I'm really sorry.

- What did you do this time?

Did you steal? Did you extort?

- No, I didn't do any of those.

So please stop sharpening the knife. It's dangerous.

- It's dangerous around here, that's why I am sharpening it.

So what did you do?

- I was looking for a bride.

- You were looking for a bride?

- Yes.

- You were looking for a bride while lying on the ground,

exposing your balls and erect penis?

That's absurd!

- So you rescued me?

- I can't carry you myself.

Magotaro rescued you.

- Magotaro?

He must be the one who attacked me and stole the girl. Damn it!

It hurts! What is he?

Damn it!

- Magotaro is dressed like a migrant worker,

but his name is Hosoya Judayu and he's really a samurai from Sendai.

- Why is he here?

- He was saying that a big war is coming from the west.

- War?

That'll be fun.

Who is the other one with him?

- He got wounded in Utsunomiya and is on his way to Aizu.

He belongs to this group... Shinsengumi.

And... his name is... Hijikata Toshizo.

- Toshizo?

I have never heard that name.

He cannot be very well known.

He has an odd haircut and wears strange clothing.

- Hijikata-san,

a man like me who lives out in the country tends to fall behind the times.

There are so many things I can't understand.

Why is Aizu the Emperor's enemy?

Sendai is trying to help Aizu.

Then why is Sendai an enemy of the Emperor?

I can't understand it.

- Of course you don't understand, Judayu-san.

Because it is absurd.

The Battle of Toba-Fushimi was all about

Satsuma-Choshu taking revenge against the central government for the last 300 years.

They were settling a score.

But just taking revenge did not sound too good to ordinary peasants,

so they used the Emperor as the cause of their revolt.

They used the Imperial brocade for their flags

and appointed court nobles as their commanders.

Satsuma-Choshu called themselves Imperial army and called us rebels.

It doesn't make any sense.

- What are you going to do now?

- I'm going to fight alongside 150 Shinsengumi fighters gathered in Aizu.

I'm going to fight and die. That's about it.

- You are going to die? So you think you'll be defeated?

- Winning or losing does not matter much any more.

I'm just fighting against absurdity.

- That's excellent!

- You again.

- Yes.

- What are you?

- I am a farmer. Something wrong with that?

- Nothing's wrong with that. I was also a farmer, then I became a samurai.

- I can quit being a farmer and join your Shinsengumi.

- Oh, you can? Thank you.

- You talk about fighting, but I have not seen a trace of the enemy.

- You can't see them here yet,

but the Sat-Cho army followed us to Utsunomiya and Imaichi

and is arriving at Shirakawaguchi soon.

- Oh!

- Judayu-san, I heard that General Ouchi arrived in Sendai taking a sea route.

- All the big shots in Sendai are spinning their wheels for this man Sera Shuzo.

- Sera...

Is he a former cavalryman? What does he want?

- He is instigating people of the Ou area (Mutsu and Dewa) to fight against the Aizu rebels.

- We should kill him.

- What?

- A man like that would be better off dead! I will kill him.

- You're right! Let me kill him.

- But if we kill him, this area would be devastated by war.

- Either way, this area will be devastated by war.

Judayu-san, you don't know the Imperial Army's true character.

- I think we should make every effort to avoid the war.

I heard that the commander in Sendai sent the messengers this morning.

I am going to meet them here and guard them the rest of the way to Edo.

- I think that it's a fruitless effort, but that's fine with me.

It is fruitless to fight and fruitless not to fight.

But we should always be sensible. Isn't that right, Judayu-san?

- Yes. That's all we can do.

I am leaving now. It is about the time they arrive here.

- Between him and you, whose way is more exciting?

- When I was your age, everything was exciting.

- What?

- You'd better not quit being a farmer.

- Endo!

Sanya!

- Oh... This is getting interesting!

- You did it? - Yes.

- Your name is Manjiro, if I remember correctly.

- And your name is Oito.

- I am telling Sera-san what happened today.

- You'd better not tell him. He doesn't like damaged goods.

- "Speedy" Manjiro!

- "Speedy?"

My pistol is not that quick. Just average.

- You're faster than average!

- Is that right?

- Were you born in the year of the chicken?

- No, I was born in the year of the rabbit.

- Rabbit. They say rabbits are quick also.

- What?

- I wonder if you just lost your virginity today.

I was right!

- We should do it over. - What?

- I am going to study often with you.

Let's start another lesson here, teacher!

- Stop it! You idiot! Stop rabbit! Chicken!

- Sendai is flustered!

You don't have to rush.

FUKUSHIMA: GESSHIN-IN

- What's all this commotion?

- Sera is in Kanazawaya. Hosaya-san, now is the time.

- Now is the time? Are you going to attack Sera?

CAPTAIN SEO Toshisuke: - We'll capture him. I won't kill him.

- That will ruin our peace negotiations.

- Peace negotiations? Our messengers were killed!

We just confiscated Sera's confidential message to another Satsuma staff officer!

He says that they should consider everyone in the Ou area enemies.

He says that Sendai despises the Emperor.

SENDAI STAFF OFFICER, SENDA Yunoshin - Judayu, go to Sendai and report that the message was not delivered.

We are going to Kanazawaya.

- Who are you?

- Who are you? What are you doing now?

- We are going to this brothel to kill a staff officer of the Imperial army.

- That's exciting! That's really exciting!

KANAZAWAYA BROTHEL

- I am busy now! Come back tomorrow.

- I am busy now! Come back tomorrow.

- I can't wait until tomorrow.

- What a persistent fellow! Come back tomorrow!

- I can't wait until tomorrow.

- Good evening.

Suzuki-sama from Fukushima sent us.

- Yes, I know. You're the helpers for Sera-sama, who is leaving tomorrow.

- I am sorry to be so persistent, but I really can't wait until tomorrow.

- Manjiro, get rid of the written petition.

- I understand.

- Ouch!

- Excuse me, Sera-sama,

I am sorry to disturb you,

but the parents of your hostess Teru have sent a man from her hometown

with an urgent message for her.

- Teru, your father is ill. I have a message for you.

Please, come out.

- Oh!

I don't know you.

- I don't know you either, but it's okay.

- I don't have a father. - That's all right.

- Where's Sera? - Upstairs.

- Is he alone? - Clerk?

- We got the woman out.

- But his attendant, Katsumi, is in the next room.

- Katsumi...

Hey, Katsumi!

- Yes.

- Make your woman be quiet.

- Yes.

- It's strange. It's too quiet.

I can only hear your woman's voice.

- My woman went to use the restroom and hasn't returned.

- What?

That's Manjiro!

- That's it!

- Bah... How could he!

- Something scary is going to happen.

- Really?

- But it won't be scary, if you cling to me.

That's right. More, more!

More, more, more! More!

- What kind of scary things will happen?

- Be quiet!

Slowly, and quietly.

Slowly, and quietly.

This is my first time!

- Really?

- Yes, it is true!

This is just like heaven!

We are going together to the top of heaven!

- Yes, we are going there together!

I am going to die!

- We will die together!

- You sure were long in the restroom.

Now come here!

- Katsumi, what happened?

- Yes, sir.

- What was the noise?

- No, nothing.

Nothing happened!

- Katsumi!

Who are you?

Do you know who I am?

I'm Sera Shuzo, commander of the Ou district.

- Of course we know who you are.

You are the arrogant and impolite Sera Shuzo who insulted our master,

Date Yoshikuni.

- You must be from Sendai.

- What did you mean by writing that Sendai, Fukushima, Aizu, and Ou are the enemy?

I have your message here!

- Excellent!

- Let me kill him!

- Do you know what will happen to you?

Do you know what will happen to those who defy the Imperial Army?

- We know!

But you are going to die first!

- They are dying!

It's fun to watch proud-looking samurai getting killed!

Teru-chan, take a good look.

- I am scared.

- Wearing the shiny piece of silk makes them so distinguished?

- Yes, for just wearing that shiny piece of silk, people bow down to them.

- What is it?

- It is a symbol of the Imperial Standard.

It's him!

- Is that it?

- Get out of the way!

- Hey! I'm on your side.

- The war will begin.

Oito-san, what are you going to do?

- I have no idea.

- Were you in love with Sera?

- No. He only bought me with money.

What are you going to do? Aren't you rescuing Sera?

- He only bought me with money too.

Listen, Oito-san...

we were born into this funny world,

we should take advantage of this great opportunity and make a lot of money.

- I thought you were just a kid, but you're more mature than I thought.

- We will not know about tomorrow.

Let's worry about it while we sleep together, teacher.

- Again?

- So Manjiro got the money?

- Yes, he got paid 10 ryo.

- 10 ryo?

- Yes. He may still be somewhere in this building.

- You just wait here.

I will get that 10 ryo and buy you back from the brothel.

- "We petition the above matters.

"...to Lord of Sendai, Date Yoshikuni...

"Yonezawa Uesugi Danjo, Daisuke Naminori...

"Morioka Nanbu Mino...

"Lord of Mino, Akita Sataki...

"Ukyo... Ukyo... Ukyo..."

- Here you are! You are Manjiro!

What is this?

- It's a pistol. I'm going to shoot.

- Shoot? Go ahead and shoot.

But if you shoot, the group of samurai will be back.

- What do you want?

- I want that 10 ryo.

- 10 ryo? - Yes.

If you give me 10 ryo, I will spare your life.

I have seen you two before.

- What is your name?

- My name is Senta.

- I will kill you the next time we meet.

- Please! Have a samurai's compassion.

- Samurai?

A common foot soldier is not considered a samurai.

Choshu domain's former soldier of ashigaru rank, Sera Shuzo,

disturbed the peace of the Oshu domain by using the Imperial Standard to instigate...

ABUKUMA RIVER

- Oh! You!

- What's the matter?

- You look like a different person after taking your make-up off.

- Do I look ugly?

- No! No!

You look like a doll. You are beautiful.

- Really?

- Yes. Yes.

I will teach you something.

- What are you teaching me?

- In war, if a man tries to attack you, kick his balls with your knee.

- I can't do that.

- Don't be silly. You can't be timid.

Try it once!

- Like this?

- More power.

- Like this?

- More!

- Like this?

- More! More! More!

- Like this?! - Oooph!

- Are you all right?

- Kill him!

APRIL 20th.

- You don't need to feel an obligation for that 10 ryo.

- But if you go that way, there will be the war.

- Yes, it'll be interesting.

You should go back to your parents.

- I don't have any. My mom has also died.

- How about an older brother?

Any older sisters?

In that case.

Bye!

- Bye.

- On April 21st,

Aizu took the strategically important Shirakawa Castle,

and Sendai's army began to fight.

But on May 5th, the Imperial army returned and retook Shirakawa Castle.

- Hey, Pops. Where's the war?

- It is very near.

- Really? I've got to hurry!

- What are you doing?

- I want to see the war. I have never seen one.

FUMASE POST TOWN

- Why did you run away?

- We did not run away.

We are waiting for the reinforcements from Sendai to regroup.

- Judayu, go gather information in Edo. That is your mission.

Don't meddle with matters concerning war.

- But, why did you run away?

- You were not even at the battlefield!

- Did you fight?

- What?

- Do you know the reputation of Sendai soldiers?

People call them the "Coward Corps", because they run away at the sound of a cannon.

- Judayu...

Why do you insist on defending Shirakawa?

Just because Shirakawa was taken, it does not mean the whole of Ou was defeated.

- Shirakawa is an important strategic point for Ou.

If Shirakawa is ruined, it will cause great damage to the agriculture of Ou!

- We are not farmers!

Commander, let's go.

- Judayu, if you insist on defending Shirakawa, take it back.

Maybe with help from farmers.

- Farmers...

- Gamblers defend their territories with their lives. I used to be one of them.

- Tahei, how is Gosuke?

Gosuke of NIMAIBASHI

- Did everyone from Ichiya Village escape?

- Yes, we are the last ones.

- Is that right? We are the last ones.

- What are you doing?

- I mistook you for an Imperial soldier.

- Really? I thought you were just a pickpocket.

Give me back the wallet you just stole.

- Hosoya-san...

As an old pal, would you like to buy some information from me?

- I can't buy information from a man when I don't know if he's an ally or a foe.

- Right now, we are allies.

- All right then. I will buy 1 ryo worth of information.

- Great! Now I can get something to eat.

- Where is the Imperial army now?

- They are advancing on this Rikuu Highroad.

More will come after they repair the Nimai Bridge,which was destroyed when Sendai fell.

- That's not the vanguard of the army?

- No, it is just a scouting party.

Only about 20 of them - soldiers from Satsuma and Choshu.

Another 1 ryo for more information.

- No, I got enough information for 1 ryo.

See you later!

- Food!

- It's enough!

- What?

- You leave me here.

- Old man!

- I can't go on anymore. Just look at this wound.

- Boss!

- What are you doing?!

Get away!

Run away!

- All right. We will go.

- Bastards!

Who are you?

- It's me.

- Oh, I remember you!

- You were saying that you want to do something fun. Do you want do it now?

- Yes, I do.

- Can you risk your life?

- Yes! Yes!

Hey! I am over here!

- What is that?

- Make two lines!

Shoot!

Reload!

- Excellent!

This is fun!

Damn it...

- Idiot! You can't shoot a gun without any bullets.

- Is that right?

- Gosuke!

Gosuke! It's me!

- It's you! Long time, no see...

- What are you doing?

- What am I doing? I'm trying to kill them all!

- They're all gone.

- Pops...

- Boss!

- Boss! - Our boss was killed!

- One piece... three pieces... four pieces...

It was fun! I really had a great time today.

- It's not always fun. But do you want to join the team?

- Yes, I do.

- Tough times will begin tomorrow. Are you ready?

- Yes, I am. I am ready for it!

- You didn't fight? Useless idiots!

Were you just watching?

You didn't even kill one soldier?

I will go kill them!

Hey you guys! Don't just watch! Come here and help me.

Idiots!

- Hey! Give that to me.

Tahei, are you going back to your old lifestyle?

- I'm going to take revenge for the boss!

You guys fight for this man!

We need more men.

You go ask Kakedano Zenbei, Kuwaorino Wasaburo, and Sakuraino Hyakuzo.

- Yes!

- Aren't you Manjiro?

- And you are Senta.

Give me that 10 ryo you took from me.

- 10 ryo? It's been gone a long time ago.

- What?

- I freed a pretty girl from the brothel.

- That's a lie! You wouldn't spend 10 ryo for a woman.

- If you doubt me, then go ahead...

search my body.

- All right. I'll search you!

- Where are you touching me?

Did you find anything?

- Bastard!

- You too!

- Stop! You guys.

- Hey! Don't get confused.

We're allies.

- Now we're enemies!

- Is that right? You're busy switching sides.

I can see the bullets.

The first chamber is empty. The bullet is in the second chamber.

But by that time, your hand will be cut off and gone.

What's your name?

- Manjiro.

- Surname?

- There's no surname for the son of a potato farmer in Satsuma.

But the world will change and everyone will have a surname.

- Are you going to become a samurai?

- There won't be any samurai in the new world.

I'm going to get rich. I'm going to be a merchant.

- I see. That's why you shot those two messengers on horseback?

What are you doing now? Are you shooting me next?

- That would be silly. I won't make any money.

- I am going to attack the Imperial army relentlessly.

They will be too scared to sleep at night.

Are you going to shoot me then?

- It depends on the price. You are not smart.

- Is that right?

- You don't understand the trend.

You're not the only one. Nobody in Ou understands.

- What?!

- You may be right. But samurai are not gone yet.

- I'm going to kill you, bastard!

- Sure, we will do it.

- That's right! We can't rely on those cowardly soldiers.

We protect our territory ourselves.

- Let me in!

Good evening, everyone!

- Rokuzo, what happened?

- I've been gambling since the day before yesterday.

And I lost everything.

Something's going to happen?

- Mother!

- Wake up!

- Where is this?

- This is the temporal headquarters of the "Karasugumi" (Crow Brigade).

- Crow Brigade? I've never heard of it.

- Of course you haven't. I just came up with that name.

KORIYAMA - SENDAI CLAN'S HQ

MAY 5th

- The Karasugumi name is no good.

- "Kogekitai" (= Shock Unit)

- Judayu,

crows are known for their lack of unity.

Be careful not to be a great encumbrance to our army.

- Yes. You too.

- "You too"? What do you mean?

- Wait, Seo!

Let's just hope for the success of the Shock Unit.

- Shock Unit... no, I better call them the Crow Brigade.

The Crow Brigade numbers 57 in total.

SUKAGAWA TOWN - KASHIWAGIYA BROTHEL

Most of them are gamblers from the nearby area.

The rest are construction workers, farmers, and fishermen.

What the commander said about them was right.

They lack unity.

In order to subject them to rigid discipline Judayu divided them into 5 smaller groups,

and appointed 5 group leaders.

- The fourth group's leader is Hyakuzo.

The fifth group handles the firearms. And the leader is... Senta.

- I am only 19.

- Your men - Ichi, Monji, and Yata - are 18.

Wait, there's also a 72-year-old fisherman in your group.

- Seventy-two!

- Next task is "Unity". How can crows be unified?

The only way to achieve that is to have them wear uniforms.

57 sets of black shirts and hakama, navy blue headbands, leggings, and tabi socks

were prepared by the prostitutes of Kashiwagiya.

- I forgot my loincloth!

I'm so cold and uncomfortable!

Please, make me one. Hurry!

- Only the loincloths were not provided.

- Oh... Oh... Teru-chan... You couldn't forget me?!

- No. I just wanted to deliver what you left behind.

- That's great!

Teru, I'm so happy to see you.

I just need to unload.

- Not in a place like this.

- Please, let me!

I am sorry, but can you guys leave the room for a little while?

- What will you do, leader?

- What am I doing? I am going to... I am going to do "that". You know?

- What is "that", leader?

- "That" is... of course, you know... making a baby.

- Can we help, leader?

- Idiot! Of course not!

Pops, please take them out and teach them something.

- Like frost forming on the ground...

The secret of mastering the art of firearms is just the same.

- Huh?

- But for firearms, the longer the barrel... the better.

- It's cold!

- You guys are still here.

You should have left a long time ago!

- Our leader is not here.

- What is he doing?

- He is making a baby.

- What?

- He is working hard.

- Where is old Yosaku?

- I'm not too old yet!

- Wait... I am coming soon.

- Leader, I am going too...

- Coming!

- We came!

- Let's go!

- That bastard!

- Do you know where you are going?

- I know! To Odagawa! We will ambush them!

- He thinks he knows what he's doing.

Tahei, let the first unit go, too. - Yes!

- You forgot this!

- What is it?

- He forgot this again.

NEAR ODAGAWA STATION - SHICHIMAGARI

- That idiot! It's him again.

Why is he here?

I can't stop now.

Fire!

- It's a hit!

- Don't run away!

- Where are they?

- Pops, can you see the one with the "Red Lion" mane?

- Yes, I see him. Old men can see the far distance better.

- We got him!

- What's going on?

- We fought with enemy scouts.

- Who is that?

- I think he is the commander.

- Idiots! You don't need to tie him up.

What is your name?

I am the commander of the Crow Brigade, Hosoya Judayu.

What is yours?

CHOSHU 3rd UNIT, MATSUDA Seizo Yoshisada

Matsuda-san, we are too busy to treat your wound.

I am sorry.

Let's go!

- Yes!

- Take cover!

- They lied to us again!

- What?

The main body of troops have not come here yet?

- They are nowhere in sight.

- Damn it!

Withdraw!

- Those idiots are working hard going against the inevitable.

- Pops!

- I shot the man with the Red Lion mane, didn't I?

- Pops!

OTAKAWA STATION - KACHIKURAYAMA

Pops, you hit the Red Lion.

Altogether, we shot at least 10 men.

The Crow Brigade won the battle, right?

- We were defeated.

- Why?

- Even if just one of us dies, we lose.

If three of us die, it's a great defeat.

- Why? That's not right.

- If all of us die, who will fight?

- It's not right... Damn it!

- Three of the Shock Unit soldiers were killed in action!

- Judayu, is this your first war?

Don't be upset over just three casualties.

- Commander! They did not have to die!

Why is the main body of troops still here?

- Sorry about that. The reinforcements came late.

But the next time is for sure.

- Next time?

- We decided to mobilize the troops tonight and retake Shirakawa.

- Then the Shock Unit will attack the enemy at the Ota River.

But if the main army hasn't arrived there by dawn, all our efforts will be in vain

and retaking Shirakawa will never happen!

Do you understand that?

That's enough!.

- I may be too insistent..

but if we don't get the support of the main troops this time...

- Then what?

- We'll turn our backs on you.

- Turn their backs on us?

- Let him get upset.

The anger might make those scoundrels work harder.

- There are many Imperial soldiers. There should be at least 100.

- They must be really scared of us. They are going to stay up all night to be on guard.

- I don't think so.

They are lookouts. The rest are sleeping.

- What are you guys doing?

- Our leader is gone again.

- Is Senta gone again? Where did he go?

- We don't know.

- You know where he is.

- What?

- Tell me.

I'll kill you if you don't tell me!

- But he told me that he would kill me if I tell anyone.

- Be quiet! There are many Imperial soldiers here. Don't make a sound.

- It's you again!

I was sleeping peacefully!

- Peacefully?

Well, that's fine.

But why are you sleeping in the midst of the enemy, Kimi (master)?

- Kimi?

- You are Kimi, I am Boku (servant). It's the new trendy way of talking among Imperial soldiers.

- That's interesting. Master and Servant.

I came here before the enemy set up camp...

No! I should not speak about our secrets to one of the enemy.

- That's fine. I know most of your plans anyway.

- What?

- Are you shooting?

Why don't you try? You will be surrounded by Imperial soldiers.

- Damn it! What do you want? I don't have that 10 ryo anymore.

- I don't care about small change like that anymore. I need a partner.

- A partner? - Yeah.

Some things can be done by two people but not by one person.

I found out where 10,000 ryo for the war funds is.

- Are you stealing it?

- That's right.

- No, I won't do it.

I've always been poor, but I've never stolen.

- Stealing is much better than murdering people.

- In war you have no choice.

- I am saying that this is a meaningless war.

- Why meaningless?

What is so meaningless about protecting our territory?

- You can never go against the trend. Even if it's a reasonable thing to do. You will never win.

- You may be right. But it's more exciting going against the trend.

- It is much more exciting to take advantage of the trend than going against it.

- It is fun taking those Imperial Standards.

- No matter how many Imperial Standards you take, the world will still change.

We go for the war funds in the bustle and confusion of the changing times.

It is exciting. Nothing is more exciting than this.

Be my partner.

- No!

- We'll split it fifty-fifty, right down the middle.

- No! No! No!

- What's happening?

- They've gone to sleep.

- That so? Then wake up our men.

And I want to send someone in there.

- Someone is already in there, commander.

- Is Senta there?

- Yes. He said that he is taking revenge.

- That bastard. Is he alone?

- No. Three men joined him.

- Idiots! Turn around and look behind you!

- Hi!

- Oh, it's you. Did anyone come in here?

- Excellent!

- How silly.

- What?

Strange fellow. I don't know if he's an enemy or an ally.

- The Crow Brigade is here!

- Idiot! It's him again.

- Caw! Caw!

- Bastard! I will kill him!

- Caw!

- It's a hit! - Caw...!

- Idiot.

Excellent!

- Ridiculous!

- Once again the main body of troops did not show up.

However, the Crow Brigade's attack that night was successful.

After that, they tried 3 more all-out attacks. But each time they were defeated.

While the Crow Brigade fought all over at various battle fields, the people sang:

"Crow man, Hosoya and 16 fighters"

"If they didn't exist, the Imperial troops could sleep in peace."

However, due to a lack of leadership by the rebel army's high command in each district

things got worse for the Crow Brigade. They had 7 dead and half of the rest were wounded.

On June 16th,

Imperial army reinforcements arrived in 3 ships at Hirakata.

They joined the forces at Shirakawa and took Kanakura Castle and Taira Castle.

And on July 26th,

the Miharu clan betrayed the Shogunate and joined the Imperial army.

On July 29th,

the last base on the Rikuu Highroad, Nihonmatsu Castle, fell to the Imperial army.

On that day, the Crow Brigade lost 3 soldiers.

They divided into 3 teams and headed for Sendai.

- They're the Nihonmatsu Boys' Troop.

- How cruel!

They didn't have to cut off their penises.

- Senta, they are younger than you. Bury the dead.

- I will revenge them.

I promise! Wait for that day!

- Commander!

- Damn it!

Damn Imperial soldiers!

- Tahei, cremate the dead bodies.

- Everyone, get some firewood!

- Yes.

- Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

- On August 7th, the Crow Brigade was ordered to go to the refuge area.

Sendai clan chose this area on the border for the last battle.

- Damn it! Damn it!

DAMN IT!!!

- In Komagamine, 34 infantry corps and 2000 soldiers of Oshu are stationed.

And in Hatamaki Toge, 15 infantry corps and a total of 1200 soldiers are stationed.

The Crow Brigade fought deadly battles against the Imperial army,

joining the Hatamaki troops under the district domain master's command.

On September 10th...

- What? Komagamine fell?

- And we heard that the clan's master sent out a declaration of surrender.

- That's silly! We fought so hard...

We're trying to take revenge. And they're surrendering? What do they mean?

Commander!

- I'm going to Sendai Castle to confirm this with my own eyes and ears!

Until I get back, no one leaves this base, no matter who gives the order.

- Yes.

- Pops, was that true?

- That rumor is certainly spreading.

Once the domain master decides to surrender, everything will stop immediately.

They were so slow to fight in the war, but upon hearing we're losing, very quick to surrender.

- I can't accept that!

- Surrendered?

Who? Who said that?

I don't know about Fukushima. Nor do I know about Yonezawa.

But Sendai never surrenders!

- That's right!

- Once more I give you an order.

5 soldiers each from Komagamine and Karasugumi (Crow Brigade) are needed for a scout mission.

Who's going?

That's an order!

I almost changed my opinion of the Crow Brigade because of their brave accomplishments.

But now you're scared by a groundless rumor.

- Our commander ordered us not to leave the base.

- This is the Staff Officer's order!

I suppose you're just a bunch of hoodlums.

When it comes to the crunch, you have no backbone.

- Senta!

- I can't let him call us chicken.

Don't you think you are too old for this?

- Don't be silly. I am still strong.

- Oh! That's amazing!

CONFERENCE AREA - AOBA CASTLE

- This is the conference area, you are not allowed!

- This is the conference area, you are not allowed!

- Don't bother!

Commander!

What happened?

- We chose a person for an official apology and surrender.

Your dear farmers can work their fields undisturbed from now on.

- Pops, look! Komagamine has not fallen.

- I am sorry, but 5 men were sent out on the Staff Officer's order.

- What?

When did that happen?

- He came back! That's our leader!

- Senta! The war is over.

- Quit it if you want!

- Where are you going?

- Quit it if you want!

- Leader!

- Leader...!

HATAMAKI TOGE - MAIN ARMY'S HQ

INAWASHIROKO LAKESIDE

- After taking Shirakawaguchi and Nihonmatsu Castle,

- After taking Shirakawaguchi and Nihonmatsu Castle,

and defeating the Sendai clan,

100,000 Imperial army soldiers have surrounded the Aizu soldiers at Wakamatsu-Tsuruga Castle.

- Hey! - What?

You...

- It is against Imperial army rules to bury rebel soldiers.

If they see you, you'll be decapitated. You'd better stop.

There will be countless dead bodies from here to Wakamatsu-Tsuruga Castle.

- Even those dead bodies of young girls? And the boys whose penises were cut off?

- Where did you see those?

- Nihonmatsu.

They are savages. Cruel savages.

- The commander who was in charge of the Nihonmatsu attack will be passing here soon.

He'll be in charge of the Aizu attack also.

- Is that right?

Damn it! I am going to cut off his penis!

- You'd better be pulling the cart now.

- Don't talk big. What are you to me?

- I am your superior. I am in charge of the freight for the Imperial army.

- It doesn't matter. That's silly!

- Why are you pulling a cart now?

- Why?

There are so many pieces of the Imperial Standard silk cloth here.

- You're doing something with them? - Yes.

- Are you stealing them?

- Yes, I will make a sash with them and give it to a young girl.

- Then you are my partner.

- Partner?

You too want the Imperial silk?

- No. I found out that they always keep the military funds at the same place as the silk.

We go there and get the money. How about it?

- All right! We are partners.

- Clear the way! Clear the way!

- That's the top commander.

- His name? - Itagaki Taisuke.

- Itagaki, die!

How about it... Did I hit him?

That damn Itagaki.

50 SEN NOTE ITAGAKI Taisuke

So what was purpose of the Crow Brigade?

- To do all the hard work and just be told "Thank you" with no reward afterwards.

- Just a "Thank you", is that all?

Why are we running like this?

- If we run, we can make another trip.

That would double your salary. My profit will double also.

- Damn it! You are greedy.

- He's coming. The man who'll be in charge of the Aizu attack will be here soon.

The Governor-General is coming here with the gold notes.

- He's here?

- That means the all-out attack on Aizu will happen soon.

We should try taking the funds tonight.

- Really? Tonight?

- Are you ready? - Yes, I am!

- I just found out where the funds will be!

- Oh, where?

- At Tojimura, same as this freight. - I see!

- Let's go! - Yes!

- "The battle cries echo again...

"...Samurai are dying today."

NEAR AIZU - TOJIMURA VILLAGE "...Samurai are dying today."

"...Samurai are dying today."

- Damn!

- Stop it!

Drinking sake is tolerated after winning the war, but we are Imperial soldiers.

We are not just a group of hooligans.

Shame on you!

- Even in a group of devils, there is one good man.

- Don't you remember that commander? His name is Matsuda.

- I remember him now. We shot and captured him, then let him go.

Let's ask that commander!

- He'll know what we're up to.

- What's the matter?

- Do you remember that woman?

- Yes, I do. That's Sera's woman.

- No, she is my woman.

IMPERIAL GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S HQ IN NIWADERA

- "The first is a consolation and the second is a lie...

- "The first is a consolation and the second is a lie...

"...The third is a total denial...

"...That is the cheating man's ordinary course of events..."

- She is singing about me.

- They should stop singing and go to sleep.

- This flag is magnificent.

We will never lose any war from now on.

- Do you know what it's made of?

- No, I don't.

- This is made from Okubo Toshimichi's mistress' belt that was purchased in Nishijin.

- Stop thinking about making a sash with that silk. Soon we'll have the big money coming in.

- Well. I wonder when they are going to sleep.

- Those men are great.

- Iwakura Tomomi inspired lots of men.

IWAKURA Tomomi

- Iwakura, Okubo, and Ito.

ITO Hirobumi

Their names will stay in history unlike us.

Itagaki and Saigo, they will also go down in history.

- We're going now.

- Okay, let's go.

- Hey! Where are you going?

- The restroom.

- Restroom?

- It's you.

- I have a sweet deal.

- I thought you'd show up.

- Why?

- I saw you in the street.

The military fund, right?

- That's right.

- What about Senta? - He'll be fine with the silk.

Where is the military fund? Where is it?

- Don't get excited. I'm busy.

- What's going on?

- I can't find out where it is.

- Is that right?

- But I found out where the silk was.

- Really?

- Two men are watching it, but they're almost asleep.

- Bastard!

Burglar!

- Burglar! - Where?

- Restrain him!

- Walk!

- Bastard!

- Keep moving!

- Sit there!

- No! Matsuda-san!

Captain Matsuda Seizo from Choshu!

Do you remember me? I am Manjiro! I was your guide!

- Oh, you are Manjiro.

- Why are you killing him?

He is my best friend.

He has this habit of sleepwalking at night. But he is my best friend.

Did he sleepwalk again?

You idiot! Apologize to them! Idiot!

Apologize! Apologize! Apologize!

- You really saved my life.

I owe you my life.

- That's alright. That commander saved your life, not me.

- What happened to the military funds?

- Everything went well. I hid it where nobody knows.

No need to rush digging it out.

- That's great! Great. Great.

But...

- What?

- There is one thing I can't understand.

- What don't you understand?

- Things went so well for you, but nothing went well for me.

I don't understand.

By any chance, did you...

- What?

- You used me.

You made me fail so you could easily rob the money.

- What are you talking about?

- Now I see!

- "You don't gain anything from fighting...

"...Born in a turbulent time...

"...there is never a moment of peace."

- Who are they?

- I will find out.

- Hey! Stop it!

- I am Commander Yamakawa. We are heading back to Aizu.

You look like local farmers. Can you do the Lion Dance?

That is great!

We prepared the props for the Lion Dance but no one knows how.

I want you to dance and lead the way for us.

- Where are we going?

- We are going back to Tsuruga Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu.

- Oh.

- The castle is totally surrounded by the enemy. We cannot go back as we are.

We will go through them with the Lion Dance, playing flutes and beating the drums.

They'll never think we are Aizu soldiers.

- That is excellent!

That is really excellent!

- If they see through our disguise, then that is okay.

Either we will return to the castle as a group,

or we will meet our deaths with the maximum damage to the enemy.

- Really?

AIZU-WAKAMATSU

TSURUGA CASTLE - WEST WING

- Don't shoot! We're on your side!

Let's go!

TSURUGA CASTLE - INSIDE THE WEST GATE

- My balls have shrunk and fled!

What can I do?!

- Mine too! What do I do?!

- Time like this, girls are the only answer.

Where can we find one?

- That's right!

First come, first served!

- Bastard!

- Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!!!

- Oh!

- Senta, dear!

- Oh, oh... Teru-chan... Why are you here?

- I have a relative in Aizu.

I was taking refuge here. And helping care for the wounded.

- I need your help.

My balls have shrunk and I don't know what to do.

Please, let's hurry. Hurry! Hurry!

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

- In a place like this? The bullets are flying!

- I don't care about the bullets!

I have to find my balls!

I found them!

I found my balls!

I found them!

- Senta worked hard to make babies.

After the war, he made many babies.

Then another war started and it ended.

After that, another war started and it also ended.

Then another war started, then it ended. This repeated many times.

His children died and grandchildren were born.

His grandchildren died and great-grandchildren were born.

That repeated several more times.

And that was how the last 100 years passed.

Ouch, hot!

That's the end of the story.

Director + Screenplay: OKAMOTO Kihachi