Birmingham Anime Film Festival 2025: Inu-Oh

Director Masaaki Yuasa presents a bold interpretation of Hideo Furukawa’s novel, The Tale of the Heike: The Inu-Oh Chapters with his new film Inu-Oh (2021). Bringing hip-hop, psychedelic rock sensibilities to 14th century Japan, this is an audacious showcase of the traditional Japanese arts, history and culture.

Born to a troupe of esteemed Noh performers, Inu-Oh is afflicted with an ancient curse that left him disfigured and cast out of both his family and society. He meets Tomoari, a blind biwa musician haunted by his own past. Bonding over their passion for music and performance, Inu-Oh becomes the dancer to Tomoari’s music. They prove to be a musical force, captivating audiences with their unconventional performances. Their popularity incurs the wrath of rival performing troupes, conservative sections of society and eventually reaches the ears of the imperial court.

At once a cautionary tale against fame and success, Inu-Oh is also a celebration of self-expression in the arts that establishes the deep bond between artists and fellow collaborators.