Legend of the Millennium Dragon (2011)
"Onigamiden" (original title)

A 15-year-old boy goes 1200 years back in time to find his unlikely destiny as the savior to end the war between humans and demons.

Director:

Hirotsugu Kawasaki

Writers:

Takafumi Takada (based on the novel by), Naruhisa Arakawa (screenplay),

Stars:

Ryuji Aigase, Andrew Beckham, Satomi Ishihara

Cast

Credited cast:
Ryuji Aigase	...	(voice)
Andrew Beckham	...	Onigamiden
Satomi Ishihara	...	(voice)
Kentarô Itô	...	(voice)
Yasuyuki Kase	...	(voice)
Sôsuke Komori	...	(voice)
Takashi Kondô	...	(voice)
Shotaro Morikubo	...	(voice)
Shidô Nakamura	...	(voice)
Akio Nojima	...	(voice)
Kensho Ono	...	(voice)
Shunsuke Sakuya	...	(voice)
Masaaki Tsukada	...	(voice)
Kanako Tôjo	...	(voice)

Storyline

A 15-year-old boy goes 1200 years back in time to find his unlikely destiny as the savior to end the war between humans and demons.

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Plot Keywords:

anime | oni | heian period | monk | dragon

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and scary images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

29 April 2011 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Legend of the Millennium Dragon

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Special Collector's Edition: Calles de fuego (2011)

User Reviews

An Anime for The Younger Set

Jun is an ordinary middle-school boy, except for his unusual birthmark which takes the form of a dragon on his chest. Because of that birthmark, he is abruptly whisked back in time, to the medieval Heian era. That era is remembered for being a peaceful time, but in fact humans, led by sorcerer Gen'un and warrior Raiko, are battling demons called the Oni, and Jun has been summoned back to awaken and control the legendary dragon, Orochi, in the fight. But the humans and the Oni are not quite what they seem, and both sides are desperate to enlist Jun, and Orochi, to their cause in this long-running conflict. Jun, however, is uncertain where the truth lies amid all the contradictory information he receives from each side, and he thinks maybe the best thing to do is simply to stop the fighting....

This anime film reminded me a good bit of YA fantasy novels, or perhaps novels for a slightly younger (say, 9-12) set, in that Jun is a typical Everyboy who must fight his insecurities and doubts to become the hero (indeed, Gen'un constantly calls him "Saviour") he is meant to be in a fantasy realm before he can return to his own time, having grown stronger and wiser in the process. Each frame of this film is hand-drawn, and some of the imagery is quite beautiful, while the supernatural battle scenes are quite epic in scope. Not a film to think about very hard after viewing, but an eye-pleasing spectacle to watch.