Doomed Megalopolis

Doomed Megalopolis (帝都物語) is a 1991 Japanese original video animation (OVA) series produced by Madhouse and distributed by Toei. It is an adaptation of the historical fantasy novel Teito Monogatari by Hiroshi Aramata. Like its live-action predecessor, Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis, the anime is only an adaptation of the first third (the first four books) of the original novel. The plot concerns a spiritual battle within Tokyo during the early 20th century.

Plot

Episode 1: "The Haunting of Tokyo"

The story begins in contemporary Tokyo, with a voiceover narrative concerning the expanding city's state. The narrator tells the tale of how Taira no Masakado went against the Emperor and was executed for his crimes. However, his hatred for the new capital of Edo has left a dangerous onryo that persists in the city to this day. Throughout the years, Masakado's spirit was placated through the worship of the citizens of Tokyo, and he became deified as the city's guardian spirit. If his powerful spirit were to be awoken or disturbed, though, his suppressed anger against the

Episode 3: "The Gods of Tokyo"

The plot shifts to 1927, a year in the Showa Period. While rebuilding Tokyo, plans are put forth by Noritsugu Hayakawa to erect a subway system which will modernize the city. Hayakawa employs the talents of Torahiko Terada, a physicist and scientist in the field of earthquake studies, to oversee construction. Kato infiltrates the construction sites for the subway tunnel, and utilizes shikigami to hold the workers at bay while he focuses on a second awakening of the Underground Dragon, trying to create an earthquake larger than the Great Kanto one. Shibusawa calls in a Feng Shui expert (Shigemaru Kuroda), who pinpoints the source of these disturbances to foreign magic that is undermining the balance of the earth's spiritual energy veins. Since the construction workers are too frightened to continue their work, Terada decides that different action must be taken to complete the excavation. He enlists the help of Dr. Makoto Nishimura to use his robot Gakutensoku to finish the work. Terada reasons that since Gakutensoku is inhuman, he can't be tricked by psychic apparitions that would terrify normal men.

Meanwhile, a young shrine maiden by the name of Keiko Mekata appears near the Ministry of Finance. She is a powerful and skilled miko who has been summoned by Masakado's spirit to oppose Kato. While praying at Masakado's shrine one day, she catches the eye of Yoichiro Tatsumiya, who courts her. The two eventually marry, and Keiko is initiated into the Tatsumiya household. As a member of the Tatsumiya household, Keiko provides spiritual protection for the family from the inside. Kato, prevented from rousing the Underground Dragon by Masakado, decides to kidnap Yukiko and use her as a sacrifice to amplify the Dragon's energy. After a battle at the Tatsumiya household, Kato escapes with Yukiko and Keiko pursues him underground. While contending with Keiko, Kato is distracted and doesn't notice the efforts of Gakutensoku, who drilling deep underground, has arrived at the "heart" of the Underground Dragon and self-destructs. This throws the chi veins into disarray, releasing Yukiko and foiling Kato's plan. Finally, Keiko uses Masakado's power to banish Kato.

type	ova
director	Rintaro (chief) Kazuyoshi Katayama (1) Koichi Chigira (2) Kazunari Kume (3) Masashi Ikeda (4)
producer	Masao Maruyama Naoko Takahashi
writer	Akinori Endō Masayuki (4) Rintaro (4)
music	Kazuhiko Toyama
studio	Madhouse
first	September 27, 1991
last	August 14, 1992
runtime	40 minutes (each)
episodes	4

Plot

Episode 1: "The Haunting of Tokyo"

Episode 2: "The Fall of Tokyo"

Episode 3: "The Gods of Tokyo"

Episode 4: "The Battle for Tokyo"

Cast

Production

Distribution

Reception

External links

References