Yasunori Kato
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character, the antagonist
of the Japan
ese historical fantasy
series Teito Monogatari
, created by Hiroshi Aramata
.
Since his first cinematic appearance in 1988, Yasunori Kato has gone on to become a well known and well respected archetype in Japanese popular culture
having inspired a number of clones and homages in various video games, anime
, and film
released in Japan. The most renowned fictional character inspired by Yasunori Kato is the villain M. Bison
from the internationally acclaimed Street Fighter
video game series. Despite success in the East, the character is virtually unknown in Western popular culture.
Katō is a former First Lieutenant of the Imperial Japanese Army
and a powerful onmyoji. Throughout the series, he is also constantly referred to as an oni. In the first novel, his origin was never directly clarified all at once, but hints about his background were slowly revealed throughout the course of the series.
Near the beginning of the original novel, Kato's birthplace is determined to be Ryujin Village
, which is also the mythological birthplace of Abe no Seimei
. Although his time of birth is never specified, Kato keeps himself young through a selective diet of human organs (similar to the diet of an oni), implying that he has lived a much longer life than that of a normal human (perhaps thousands of years). It is also revealed that Kato is the descendant of indigenous tribes who did not worship the Japanese Imperial Court
during ancient times. While growing up, he was trained in the esoteric magical arts of these heretical mystics and gained their resentment against the Japanese Empire. Having trained under the tutelage of mystics separated from the Japanese government, Kato understands all the secrets of the onmyoji as well as many other forms of black magic
.
Kato also claims descent from Abe no Seimei
, who is the most skilled and proficient Onmyoji in Japanese legend. Kato's first name, Yasunori is derived from the name of Seimei's teacher, Kamo no Yasunori
.
In the 19th century, Kato infiltrated the Imperial Japanese Army
. After rising to the rank of First Lieutenant, Kato was reportedly killed in the First Sino-Japanese War
during a military skirmish in Dalian
, China
. Kato reappears miraculously alive and unhurt in 1908, which is where the story of Teito Monogatari
begins.
In Teito Monogatari
, Kato reveals his true intentions to destroy Tokyo
through any means possible in order to avenge the grudges of Japan's ancestors. Initially, he attempts to awaken the sleeping spirit of Taira no Masakado
to destroy the city, a process which takes the course of ten years. When that plan fails, Kato turns to feng shui
to stimulate the spiritual energy veins beneath Tokyo to cause earthquakes powerful enough to bring down the city. His efforts result in the Great Kanto Earthquake of the 1923, which does not have the desired effect. Eventually, in 1927, Kato is stopped by the efforts of the shrine maiden Keiko Tatsumiya.
After being defeated, Kato retreats into the protection of the Chinese secret society to plan anew. In 1960, he returns to Japan amidst the chaos of student protests against the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
. There he befriends the eager young writer Yukio Mishima
and subtly manipulates him to promote liberal agendas in the capital which will weaken Japan's political power. Eventually Mishima fights back, and on November 25, 1970; commits seppuku, thereby defeating Kato's influence. Kato retreats into hiding.
In 1998, Kato returns to stir up another earthquake under Tokyo by arousing the water dragon, Ryūjin
. It is revealed here that Kato is actually another incarnation of the raging spirit of Taira no Masakado
himself who (in the story) had cursed the city of Edo
just before his death. Just as Masakado sought to overthrow the current Japanese government, so does Kato seek to overthrow the Imperial authority by eliminating the capital Tokyo
.
This time, Kato is confronted by many spiritual guardians devoted to defending Tokyo
, including the ghost of Taira no Masakado
himself. Kato engages in a direct battle with Masakado and his forces, but loses to the spirit of the warlord. Though defeated, Kato's body is not discovered among the wreckage and he appears to have retreated again. Thus ends the story of Teito Monogatari
.
In 2005, as chronicled by the novel The Great Yokai War, Kato returns to Japan with an army of monstrous Yokai (who have been transformed to serve him) in another attempt to destroy Tokyo. This time he is stopped by the efforts of a band of native yokai
and a young boy wielding the power of the Kirin
Rider. Despite being defeated, Kato survives the encounter and it is implied that at the end, he is still ready to execute another plan.
More about Kato's past is revealed in the spin-off
novel Teito Monogatari Iroku
. In this novel, it is revealed that Kato is the last descendant in a long line of mystics. Yasunori Kato's predecessor was Jubei Kato, an occultist who was featured in Teito Gendan
and Shin Teito Monogatari
. In Teito Monogatari Iroku, Jubei passes the curse of the grudge against the Japanese Empire down to Yasunori.
Kato appears as a tall man with an unnaturally long face and sunken cheeks. His classic outfit is composed of the traditional uniform of a Japanese Imperial officer, complete with a service dress
, cap, gloves, sword and a cape
. On the backs of his white gloves are red inscriptions of the Doman Seiman, the magic symbol of Abe no Seimei
.
and other magic
, using his incredible powers to confound and almost destroy the entire Tsuchimikado Clan (descendents of Abe no Seimei
) in a single night. He extensively employs black shikigami
against his opponents. He can also summon oni to do his bidding.
In the original novels, Katō is portrayed differently than in the films or the anime. Being a trained imperial officer, he is skilled in the use of a katana
. Katō is also incredibly proficient in the art of using kodoku (worm toxins) to control and manipulate his victims. Using a certain magical act, he can rejuvenate himself into a new body when necessary. For example, he assumes the form of a Self Defense officer to recruit and manipulate the young Yukio Mishima
to perform his bidding. Kato is also completely fluent in Mandarin
and Korean
, another quality of the character that is only hinted at in the cinematic adaptations.
Katō also possesses super-human physiology and bears no distinguishable mortal weaknesses. In the cinematic adaptations, he has survived being dismembered, run through with a sword, having a hole blown through his body by powerful magic, scorched by lightning, being impaled in head, shot with a revolver several times in succession, and even having his entire face blown apart. In all these cases, he is relatively unfazed by the experience and recovers extremely quickly.
For most of the film adaptations of Teito Monogatari that have come to the screen, Katō has been portrayed by the Japanese stage actor Kyūsaku Shimada
. Both the anime Doomed Megalopolis
and the live-action movie Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
share the same story following Katō's creation and his initial attempts to destroy Tokyo
by awakening the spirit of Taira no Masakado
and disturbing the Underground Dragon
. The film Teito Taisen, a live action adaptation of the ending sections of Teito Monogatari
, displays Katō's resurrection in 1945 and his subsequent demise at the hands of a young, psychic apprentice of the Onmyoji.
In the third live action movie, Teito Monogatari Gaiden
his disembodied spirit attempts to possess the body of a mental hospital nurse in 1995. This movie however is a side story
and was not distributed by Toho
. Therefore it shouldn't be considered as part of the same continuity as the previous films.
Katō also makes an appearance as the main villain of the movie The Great Yokai War (2005). Hiroshi Aramata
was one of the screenplay writers as well as the author of the novelization of the film.
, the author of the original novel, has claimed that Yasunori Kato is the protagonist of Teito Monogatari and has described him as closely resembling the English occultist Aleister Crowley
. In other interviews, Aramata has stated that he wanted the character to symbolize both the heretical and official sects of onmyoji.
The character of Katō has also been compared to Count Dracula
, with the plot of Teito Monogatari
being considered a Japanese retelling of the famous horror story.
There are obvious aesthetic similarities between the two characters as well as identical abilities bestowed unto them (teleportation
, bodily possession, flight, telekinesis, telepathy
, etc.) and Bison's character portrait from Street Fighter II
is very similar to Yasunori Katō's (as portrayed Kyūsaku Shimada) portrait from Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
. Anthony Romero, a writer at Toho Kingdom claimed in his review for Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
that Katō's design in that film "would undoubtedly become the inspiration behind the later M. Bison (or Vega in Japan) in Capcom's Street Fighter series...".
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese historical fantasy
Historical fantasy
Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy and related to historical fiction, which makes use of specific elements of real world history. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too...
series Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
, created by Hiroshi Aramata
Hiroshi Aramata
is a Japanese author, translator, and screenplay writer, as well as a specialist in natural history and cartography.His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari , which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime...
.
Since his first cinematic appearance in 1988, Yasunori Kato has gone on to become a well known and well respected archetype in Japanese popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
having inspired a number of clones and homages in various video games, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
released in Japan. The most renowned fictional character inspired by Yasunori Kato is the villain M. Bison
M. Bison
M. Bison, known in Japan as Vega, is a video game character created by Capcom. First introduced in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, he is a recurring character in the Street Fighter series of fighting games, acting as the final boss and primary antagonist of the Street Fighter II and Street...
from the internationally acclaimed Street Fighter
Street Fighter
, commonly abbreviated as SF, is a series of Fighting Games developed in Japan in which the players pit the video games' competitive fighters from around the world, each with his or her own unique fighting style, against one another...
video game series. Despite success in the East, the character is virtually unknown in Western popular culture.
Character Biography
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
and a powerful onmyoji. Throughout the series, he is also constantly referred to as an oni. In the first novel, his origin was never directly clarified all at once, but hints about his background were slowly revealed throughout the course of the series.
Near the beginning of the original novel, Kato's birthplace is determined to be Ryujin Village
Ryujin, Wakayama
was a village located in Hidaka District, Wakayama, Japan.On May 1, 2005 Ryūjin, along with the town of Nakahechi, the village of Ōtō, both from Nishimuro District, and the town of Hongū, from Higashimuro District, was merged into the expanded city of Tanabe....
, which is also the mythological birthplace of Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei
was an onmyōji, a leading specialist of onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian Period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
. Although his time of birth is never specified, Kato keeps himself young through a selective diet of human organs (similar to the diet of an oni), implying that he has lived a much longer life than that of a normal human (perhaps thousands of years). It is also revealed that Kato is the descendant of indigenous tribes who did not worship the Japanese Imperial Court
Imperial Court in Kyoto
thumb|left|350px|Front view of Kyoto imperial palaceImperial Court in Kyoto was the nominal ruling government of Japan from 794 AD until the Meiji Era, in which the court was moved to Tokyo and integrated into the Meiji government....
during ancient times. While growing up, he was trained in the esoteric magical arts of these heretical mystics and gained their resentment against the Japanese Empire. Having trained under the tutelage of mystics separated from the Japanese government, Kato understands all the secrets of the onmyoji as well as many other forms of black magic
Black magic
Black magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
.
Kato also claims descent from Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei
was an onmyōji, a leading specialist of onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian Period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
, who is the most skilled and proficient Onmyoji in Japanese legend. Kato's first name, Yasunori is derived from the name of Seimei's teacher, Kamo no Yasunori
Kamo no Yasunori
Kamo no Yasunori was an onmyōji, a practitioner of onmyōdō, during the Heian period in Japan. He was considered the premier onmyōji of his time.Yasunori was the son of the onmyōji Kamo no Tadayuki...
.
In the 19th century, Kato infiltrated the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. After rising to the rank of First Lieutenant, Kato was reportedly killed in the First Sino-Japanese War
First Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
during a military skirmish in Dalian
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Kato reappears miraculously alive and unhurt in 1908, which is where the story of Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
begins.
In Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
, Kato reveals his true intentions to destroy Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
through any means possible in order to avenge the grudges of Japan's ancestors. Initially, he attempts to awaken the sleeping spirit of Taira no Masakado
Taira no Masakado
was a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, who led one of the largest insurgent forces in the period against the central government of Kyoto.-History:...
to destroy the city, a process which takes the course of ten years. When that plan fails, Kato turns to feng shui
Feng shui
Feng shui ' is a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu ....
to stimulate the spiritual energy veins beneath Tokyo to cause earthquakes powerful enough to bring down the city. His efforts result in the Great Kanto Earthquake of the 1923, which does not have the desired effect. Eventually, in 1927, Kato is stopped by the efforts of the shrine maiden Keiko Tatsumiya.
After being defeated, Kato retreats into the protection of the Chinese secret society to plan anew. In 1960, he returns to Japan amidst the chaos of student protests against the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
The was signed between the United States and Japan in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 1960. It strengthened Japan's ties to the West during the Cold War era...
. There he befriends the eager young writer Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima
was the pen name of , a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor and film director, also remembered for his ritual suicide by seppuku after a failed coup d'état...
and subtly manipulates him to promote liberal agendas in the capital which will weaken Japan's political power. Eventually Mishima fights back, and on November 25, 1970; commits seppuku, thereby defeating Kato's influence. Kato retreats into hiding.
In 1998, Kato returns to stir up another earthquake under Tokyo by arousing the water dragon, Ryūjin
Ryujin
, also known as Ōwatatsumi, was the tutelary deity of the sea in Japanese mythology. This Japanese dragon symbolized the power of the ocean, had a large mouth, and was able to transform into a human shape. Ryūjin lived in Ryūgū-jō, his palace under the sea built out of red and white coral, from...
. It is revealed here that Kato is actually another incarnation of the raging spirit of Taira no Masakado
Taira no Masakado
was a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, who led one of the largest insurgent forces in the period against the central government of Kyoto.-History:...
himself who (in the story) had cursed the city of Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
just before his death. Just as Masakado sought to overthrow the current Japanese government, so does Kato seek to overthrow the Imperial authority by eliminating the capital Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
This time, Kato is confronted by many spiritual guardians devoted to defending Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, including the ghost of Taira no Masakado
Taira no Masakado
was a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, who led one of the largest insurgent forces in the period against the central government of Kyoto.-History:...
himself. Kato engages in a direct battle with Masakado and his forces, but loses to the spirit of the warlord. Though defeated, Kato's body is not discovered among the wreckage and he appears to have retreated again. Thus ends the story of Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
.
In 2005, as chronicled by the novel The Great Yokai War, Kato returns to Japan with an army of monstrous Yokai (who have been transformed to serve him) in another attempt to destroy Tokyo. This time he is stopped by the efforts of a band of native yokai
Yokai
are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is made up of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them...
and a young boy wielding the power of the Kirin
Kirin
Kirin may refer to:People*Ivica Kirin , politician, former Interior Minister of Croatia*Kirin Kiki , Japanese TV and film actressCompanies* Kirin Brewery Company, a Japanese brewing company...
Rider. Despite being defeated, Kato survives the encounter and it is implied that at the end, he is still ready to execute another plan.
More about Kato's past is revealed in the spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
novel Teito Monogatari Iroku
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
. In this novel, it is revealed that Kato is the last descendant in a long line of mystics. Yasunori Kato's predecessor was Jubei Kato, an occultist who was featured in Teito Gendan
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
and Shin Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
. In Teito Monogatari Iroku, Jubei passes the curse of the grudge against the Japanese Empire down to Yasunori.
Appearance
Service dress
Service Dress may refer to any of several military uniforms:*Service Dress *Service Dress, a uniform of the United States Navy*Service Dress, a uniform of the United States Air Force...
, cap, gloves, sword and a cape
Cape
Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic...
. On the backs of his white gloves are red inscriptions of the Doman Seiman, the magic symbol of Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei
was an onmyōji, a leading specialist of onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian Period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
.
Powers and Abilities
This dark sorcerer is possessed of enormous versitude in the art of OnmyōdōOnmyodo
is a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is based on the Chinese philosophies of Wu Xing and Yin and yang, introduced into Japan at the turn of the 6th century, and accepted as a practical system of divination...
and other magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, using his incredible powers to confound and almost destroy the entire Tsuchimikado Clan (descendents of Abe no Seimei
Abe no Seimei
was an onmyōji, a leading specialist of onmyōdō during the middle of the Heian Period in Japan. In addition to his prominence in history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and has been portrayed in a number of stories and films....
) in a single night. He extensively employs black shikigami
Shikigami
Shikigami are a kind of spirit, found in Japanese Mythology summoned to serve a practitioner of onmyōdō, much like a western familiar. Shikigami cannot be seen by most people, but according to the Heian period onmyōji who were said to control them, shikigami often looked something like a...
against his opponents. He can also summon oni to do his bidding.
In the original novels, Katō is portrayed differently than in the films or the anime. Being a trained imperial officer, he is skilled in the use of a katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
. Katō is also incredibly proficient in the art of using kodoku (worm toxins) to control and manipulate his victims. Using a certain magical act, he can rejuvenate himself into a new body when necessary. For example, he assumes the form of a Self Defense officer to recruit and manipulate the young Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima
was the pen name of , a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor and film director, also remembered for his ritual suicide by seppuku after a failed coup d'état...
to perform his bidding. Kato is also completely fluent in Mandarin
Standard Chinese
Standard Chinese, or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
and Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
, another quality of the character that is only hinted at in the cinematic adaptations.
Katō also possesses super-human physiology and bears no distinguishable mortal weaknesses. In the cinematic adaptations, he has survived being dismembered, run through with a sword, having a hole blown through his body by powerful magic, scorched by lightning, being impaled in head, shot with a revolver several times in succession, and even having his entire face blown apart. In all these cases, he is relatively unfazed by the experience and recovers extremely quickly.
Film versions of Teito Monogatari
Kyūsaku Shimada
Kyūsaku Shimada is a Japanese actor. He is perhaps best known in the West for the role of Yasunori Kato in the historical fantasy film Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis. He has a distinctive long facial profile with a large, protruding chin.-History:...
. Both the anime Doomed Megalopolis
Doomed Megalopolis
is an anime rendition of the Japanese historical fantasy epic Teito Monogatari . Like it's live-action predecessor, Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis, the anime is only an adaptation of the first 1/3rd of the original novel. It was released by Toei in 1991 as a 4-part OVA...
and the live-action movie Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
is a tokusatsu historical fantasy film produced in 1987 by Exe and distributed in 1988 by Toho Studios. It is the first live-action adaptation of the Teito Monogatari series by Hiroshi Aramata.-Plot:...
share the same story following Katō's creation and his initial attempts to destroy Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
by awakening the spirit of Taira no Masakado
Taira no Masakado
was a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, who led one of the largest insurgent forces in the period against the central government of Kyoto.-History:...
and disturbing the Underground Dragon
Feng shui
Feng shui ' is a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu ....
. The film Teito Taisen, a live action adaptation of the ending sections of Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
, displays Katō's resurrection in 1945 and his subsequent demise at the hands of a young, psychic apprentice of the Onmyoji.
In the third live action movie, Teito Monogatari Gaiden
Teito Monogatari Gaiden
Teito Monogatari Gaiden is a tokusatsu horror/fantasy film...
his disembodied spirit attempts to possess the body of a mental hospital nurse in 1995. This movie however is a side story
Side story
A side story is a story that occurs alongside established stories set within a fictional universe. As opposed to a prequel, sequel, or interquel, a side story takes place within the same time frame as an existing work....
and was not distributed by Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
. Therefore it shouldn't be considered as part of the same continuity as the previous films.
Katō also makes an appearance as the main villain of the movie The Great Yokai War (2005). Hiroshi Aramata
Hiroshi Aramata
is a Japanese author, translator, and screenplay writer, as well as a specialist in natural history and cartography.His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari , which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime...
was one of the screenplay writers as well as the author of the novelization of the film.
Analysis
Hiroshi AramataHiroshi Aramata
is a Japanese author, translator, and screenplay writer, as well as a specialist in natural history and cartography.His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari , which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime...
, the author of the original novel, has claimed that Yasunori Kato is the protagonist of Teito Monogatari and has described him as closely resembling the English occultist Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
. In other interviews, Aramata has stated that he wanted the character to symbolize both the heretical and official sects of onmyoji.
The character of Katō has also been compared to Count Dracula
Count Dracula
Count Dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula and archetypal vampire. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century Romanian general and Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler...
, with the plot of Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
being considered a Japanese retelling of the famous horror story.
Appearances in Popular Culture
- Katō is one of the primary inspirations for M. BisonM. BisonM. Bison, known in Japan as Vega, is a video game character created by Capcom. First introduced in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, he is a recurring character in the Street Fighter series of fighting games, acting as the final boss and primary antagonist of the Street Fighter II and Street...
(the other one being the villain Washizaki from Riki-OhRiki-Ohis a manga which later adapted to an anime series and live-action film. Created by Masahiko Takajo and Saruwatari Tetsuya, the story is about a young man who has learned the art of Qigong from one of Chiang Kai Shek's bodyguards and has become so strong that he can literally punch holes through...
, whose creation was also inspired by Kato's image), a major antagonist in the Street FighterStreet Fighter, commonly abbreviated as SF, is a series of Fighting Games developed in Japan in which the players pit the video games' competitive fighters from around the world, each with his or her own unique fighting style, against one another...
video game series.
There are obvious aesthetic similarities between the two characters as well as identical abilities bestowed unto them (teleportation
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
, bodily possession, flight, telekinesis, telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, etc.) and Bison's character portrait from Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
is a competitive fighting game originally released for the arcades in . It is the arcade sequel to the original Street Fighter released in and was Capcom's fourteenth title that ran on the CP System arcade hardware...
is very similar to Yasunori Katō's (as portrayed Kyūsaku Shimada) portrait from Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
is a tokusatsu historical fantasy film produced in 1987 by Exe and distributed in 1988 by Toho Studios. It is the first live-action adaptation of the Teito Monogatari series by Hiroshi Aramata.-Plot:...
. Anthony Romero, a writer at Toho Kingdom claimed in his review for Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis
is a tokusatsu historical fantasy film produced in 1987 by Exe and distributed in 1988 by Toho Studios. It is the first live-action adaptation of the Teito Monogatari series by Hiroshi Aramata.-Plot:...
that Katō's design in that film "would undoubtedly become the inspiration behind the later M. Bison (or Vega in Japan) in Capcom's Street Fighter series...".
- In the second episode of Takara's Brave Series anime Yuusha Keisatsu J-DeckerBrave Police J-DeckerBrave Police J-Decker was the fifth series of the anime television meta Brave series that aired in Japan during 1994 and 1995....
, a character parodying Katō, with the given name "Noriyasu" (which is an anagram of Yasunori) appears, dressing in a similar manner, and possessing similar powers. In sharp contrast, however, this Katō is presented mostly as a bungling fool, even forgetting the words to his own spells.
- In the Manga/Anime One Piece, Shiliew of the Rain, a jailer in the Series is modeled after Kato.
- Kato Masaji, an imperial officer from the Shadow HeartsShadow Heartsis a series of role playing games for the PlayStation 2. The original Shadow Hearts was developed by Sacnoth and released by Midway in the United States on December 11, 2001. The sequel, Shadow Hearts: Covenant , was also made by the same group, although Sacnoth reformed itself into a company...
video game series who embraces the dark arts after the death of his loved one, may have been inspired from Yasunori Kato.