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13 Assassins 2011

During feudal Japan, a skilled samurai is tasked with assembling a group of twelve assassins to eliminate a ruthless lord. This young nobleman, brother to the Shogun, has been terrorizing the populace with impunity. The film follows their meticulous planning and preparation as they confront the lord and his formidable protectors, culminating in an intense and prolonged battle sequence that pushes the boundaries of action cinema.

During feudal Japan, a skilled samurai is tasked with assembling a group of twelve assassins to eliminate a ruthless lord. This young nobleman, brother to the Shogun, has been terrorizing the populace with impunity. The film follows their meticulous planning and preparation as they confront the lord and his formidable protectors, culminating in an intense and prolonged battle sequence that pushes the boundaries of action cinema.

Does 13 Assassins have end credit scenes?

No!

13 Assassins does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of 13 Assassins

Explore the complete cast of 13 Assassins, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for 13 Assassins

See how 13 Assassins is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where 13 Assassins stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

84

Metascore

7.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

95%

TOMATOMETER

review

88%

User Score

IMDb

7.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

73

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.9

From 226 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.88/5

From 42 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate 13 Assassins Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of 13 Assassins with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


13 Assassins Quiz: Test your knowledge on the gripping tale of vengeance and honor in '13 Assassins'.

Who is the primary antagonist that the assassins are attempting to eliminate?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for 13 Assassins

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Read the complete plot summary of 13 Assassins, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The film is set in 1840s Japan, during the waning years of the Tokugawa shogunate. It follows the sadistic younger stepbrother of the reigning Shogun, Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu of Akashi, who indulges in his propensity for violence and sexual assault without consequence. Recognizing the increasing danger posed by Naritsugu’s ambition, Sir Doi Toshitsura (Mikijiro Hira), the Shogun’s Justice, grows alarmed at the prospect of Naritsugu attaining greater power.

The plot thickens when a member of the Mimiya family openly commits harakiri, a ritual act of defiance against their cruel overlord, Naritsugu. In the aftermath, Sir Doi seeks the expertise of Shinzaemon, a seasoned samurai loyal to the former Shogun, and covertly hires him to carry out the assassination of Naritsugu. However, the plot is soon uncovered by Naritsugu’s loyal retainer Hanbei, an old friend of Shinzaemon’s, who monitors Doi’s clandestine meetings.

In a brutal display of his merciless nature, Naritsugu exterminates the entire Mimiya family, ignoring Hanbei’s pleas for mercy. Yet, Hanbei remains bound to his duty of protecting his lord. Shinzaemon gathers a team of eleven other samurai, including his nephew, Shinroukuro, to ambush Naritsugu during his return trip from Edo to Akashi. Just before their departure, Hanbei delivers a chilling warning to Shinzaemon, threatening dire consequences should he attempt to carry out the assassination.

With Sir Doi’s support, the group takes decisive measures by recruiting town Ochiai, creating an intricate trap to ensnare Naritsugu. They also gain the backing of a minor lord who bears his own grief; his daughter-in-law was assaulted and his son murdered at Naritsugu’s hands. Together, they block the highway to force Naritsugu into the town where their trap awaits. However, unforeseen challenges arise when the assassination group is ambushed by ronin hired by Hanbei to eliminate the schemers.

Opting for a mountainous route, the group finds themselves lost but soon meets Kiga Koyata, a hunter who becomes their guide, ultimately joining them as the thirteenth assassin. They transform the town into a complex maze filled with booby traps and camouflaged fortifications. Yet, when Naritsugu arrives, he is accompanied by an overwhelming force—200 troops instead of the anticipated 70.

What ensues is an intense and chaotic battle, with the assassins launching a blend of arrows, explosives, and blades against Naritsugu and his men. Amidst the frenzy, the deranged lord revels in the violence, declaring that this is the most enjoyable moment of his life. He tells Hanbei of his intent to revive the wars reminiscent of the Sengoku period when he rises to the Shogun’s council.

Despite the assassins suffering heavy losses, they manage to inflict significant damage on Naritsugu’s forces. Eventually, the final confrontation sees Shinzaemon and Shinroukuro cornering Naritsugu and Hanbei. In an act of defiance, Shinzaemon slays Hanbei, only to be insulted by Naritsugu, who disdainfully kicks the severed head of his loyal retainer.

In a tense exchange, Naritsugu arrogantly proclaims the purpose of people and samurai is to serve their lords. Yet, Shinzaemon counters that lords depend on the people’s support and warns that abuse of power will lead to rebellion. In a fatal duel, both warriors deliver mortal wounds to each other. As Naritsugu crawls away, experiencing fear for the first time, he begrudgingly thanks Shinzaemon for the thrill before the latter ends his life.

Following Shinzaemon’s death, Shinroukuro wanders through the aftermath, eventually encountering a miraculously recovered Koyata. Together, they make their escape from the town. The epilogue reveals that the Shogun’s government concealed the truth of these events, fabricating a narrative that Naritsugu died of illness on his way back. Ultimately, just 23 years later, the Tokugawa Shogunate would be dismantled during the Meiji Restoration.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for 13 Assassins

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from 13 Assassins. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


13 ASSASSINS Trailer

Cars Featured in 13 Assassins

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Explore all cars featured in 13 Assassins, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Suzuki

1995

Wagon R

Toyota

2005

Alphard

Toyota

Coaster

Volvo

Olympian

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


samuraijapanseppuku1840ssuicideassassinmassacreviolencebeheadingdecapitationmultiple amputeekatana swordkatanateam actionepic dramaepic actiongroupeviljapanese dramasamurai actionshogunlordsuicide missionguidehuntermultiple versions19th centuryends with textlove of warsevered headrunning on roofimmolationbuilding collapseslingshotbridge explosionrabbitwaterfallodd or evens gamegamblingbonsai treemurder of a childshot with an arrowwading in wateryear 1844film starts with textemaciationnon humanhealed injuryflesh eatingbloody spray

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