13 Assassins

The film opens in 1840s Japan, highlighting the reign of the sadistic Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu, the shogun's younger stepbrother. Naritsugu is depicted as a ruthless individual who indulges in violent and sexual transgressions, operating without fear of consequences.

Sir Doi Toshitsura, the Shogun's Justice, expresses his growing concern about Naritsugu's unchecked ambitions and the potential threat he poses to the shogunate. Doi's worries lead him to seek a solution to neutralize Naritsugu's dangerous rise to power.

In a defiant act against Naritsugu's tyranny, a member of the Mimiya family commits harakiri, a ritual suicide meant to challenge their cruel overlord. This bold move prompts Sir Doi to take action against Naritsugu.

Sir Doi seeks Shinzaemon, a skilled samurai loyal to the former Shogun, proposing a plot to assassinate Naritsugu. Despite the risks, Shinzaemon accepts the mission, understanding the weight of the task ahead.

In a demonstration of his violent nature, Naritsugu orders the extermination of the entire Mimiya family, dismissing pleas for mercy from his retainers. This massacre reinforces the need for action against him and hardens Shinzaemon's resolve.

Shinzaemon gathers a group of eleven samurai, including his nephew Shinroukuro, to carry out the assassination plan. They prepare for an ambush against Naritsugu, who is traveling from Edo to Akashi.

Hanbei, Naritsugu's loyal retainer and an old friend to Shinzaemon, uncovers the assassination plot and delivers a chilling warning. He threatens severe repercussions if Shinzaemon and his team proceed with their plan.

With Sir Doi's backing, Shinzaemon's group strategically enlists the help of town Ochiai to set a trap for Naritsugu. They gain support from a minor lord seeking justice for his own losses at Naritsugu's hands.

As the assassination group executes their plans, they encounter unexpected trouble when ambushed by ronin hired by Hanbei. This setback forces them to reconsider their strategy and approach.

In a twist of fate, the group finds themselves lost in the mountains but meets Kiga Koyata, a knowledgeable hunter who offers to guide them. Koyata becomes an ally, joining the ranks as the thirteenth assassin.

In anticipation of Naritsugu's arrival, the assassins transform the town into a maze filled with booby traps and fortifications. Their meticulous preparations aim to outsmart the overwhelming numbers of Naritsugu's men.

When Naritsugu finally arrives with a much larger force than expected—200 troops instead of the anticipated 70—it sets the stage for an intense confrontation. The assassins are now faced with a daunting challenge.

A chaotic battle erupts as the assassins employ a mix of arrows, explosives, and swords against Naritsugu's soldiers. Amid the chaos, Naritsugu revels in the violence, making it clear that he thrives on the conflict.

In the climactic moments, a duel takes place between Shinzaemon and Naritsugu, with others involved in the melee. The intense battle culminates in fatal exchanges, as both warriors deal mortal wounds to each other.

Following the death of Shinzaemon, his nephew Shinroukuro escapes the grim aftermath of the battle with Koyata. The Shogun's government soon conceals the truth, spinning a narrative that Naritsugu died from illness, marking the end of an era.