Ran 1985

Division of the Ichimonji lands

Hidetora Ichimonji announces that his kingdom will be divided among his three sons: Taro will hold the First Castle, Jiro the Second, and Saburo the Third, while Hidetora remains Great Lord. Saburo speaks out against the plan, and he and Tango are exiled for defending him. The decision seeds long-lasting resentment that drives the later betrayals.

Kaede's plan to seize control

Lady Kaede, bitter over Hidetora's destruction of her family and lands, begins a vindictive plot to consolidate power under Taro. She urges him to use the division to seize absolute control of the Ichimonji clan. Her machinations plant the seeds for later betrayals and tragedies.

Hidetora travels to Jiro's castle and is treated as a figurehead

Hidetora leaves the Great Lord's seat and travels to Jiro's castle seeking alliance and counsel. Jiro treats him as a ceremonial pawn rather than a partner, using the old king to legitimize his own ambitions. Tango tries to warn him about the danger posed by the new decree against aiding his father.

Refuge in the Third Castle

Hidetora and his retinue seek shelter in the Third Castle, which Saburo’s forces had followed them into exile and where Ogura has taken over. The castle is emptied of its original defenders, but danger looms as Taro and Jiro prepare their ambush. The group debates how long they can hold out in a place now under threat from within.

The ambush at the Third Castle

Taro and Jiro coordinate a ruse, abandoning the Third Castle to lure Hidetora into a false sense of security. In the ensuing assault, Taro is killed by a bullet fired by Kurogane, and Hidetora's remaining retinue are killed or compelled to perform ritual suicides. Hidetora barely survives the massacre and begins a descent into madness.

Madness and loyalty persist

Hidetora survives the brutal ambush but descends into madness as he wanders the ruin. Kyoami, the loyal court fool, and Tango stay with him, offering some companionship and help amid the horror. The once-mighty warlord becomes a haunted shell, tormented by visions of those he has killed.

Revelations at the peasant house

Hidetora's wanderings intersect with Tsurumaru, Sue's brother, and they take shelter in a peasant's home. Tsurumaru has suffered greatly from Hidetora's siege, including the gouging of his eyes, leaving him impoverished. The encounter reveals the personal cost of Hidetora's campaigns and deepens everyone's grief.

Jiro rises as Great Lord; Kaede's manipulation deepens

With Taro dead, Jiro proclaims himself Great Lord and moves into the First Castle. Kaede escalates her manipulation, pressing for an affair with Jiro and urging him to kill Lady Sue to remove a rival. Kurogane is ordered to carry out the deed but refuses, warning Sue and Tsurumaru to flee.

Tango warns Saburo of Jiro's plans

Tango encounters former spies and learns that Jiro may unleash assassins against Hidetora. He rides off to inform Saburo, hoping to warn him of the danger. The warning underscores the widening rift within the Ichimonji clan and the escalating threats.

Hidetora flees to the volcanic plain

As his madness deepens, Hidetora runs from the pursuing armies and into a desolate volcanic plain. He wanders alone, tormented by visions of those he has harmed. The once-powerful lord becomes a symbol of ruin and tragedy.

Saburo confronts Jiro's expansion and siege preparations

Saburo's army crosses into Jiro's territory to locate Hidetora, while Jiro mobilizes his own forces. After a tense truce, Saburo learns of Hidetora's possible location and departs, and Jiro launches attacks on Saburo's smaller forces as another army threatens the First Castle.

Father and son reunite, then tragedy strikes

Saburo locates his father and the two briefly reconcile, but Saburo is killed by a Jiro sniper, sending Hidetora into a deeper despair. Hidetora dies soon after, crushed by grief and the collapse of his ambitions. The clan's legacy spirals into ruin.

Tsurumaru and Sue at the ruins

Tsurumaru and Sue reach the ruins of a castle. Sue had given him a Amida Buddha image for protection, and she also tries to retrieve a flute she had given him earlier. In the chaos, she never returns, leaving Tsurumaru to face the ruin alone.

The siege of the First Castle and Kaede's confession

As the First Castle is besieged, Kurogane learns of Sue's death and confronts Kaede, who confesses that her plot was revenge against the entire Ichimonji clan. Kaede is killed by Kurogane, ending her schemes. The siege drags on with heavy losses on Jiro's side.