Alakazam the Great!

Alakazam the Great!

Year: 1960

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: Japanese

Directors: Taiji Yabushita, Daisaku Shirakawa

AdventureAnimationFantasy

Duel of the Prehistoric Beasts! Summit Meeting of the Monsters! A mischievous monkey king discovers magical secrets and infuriates the gods, who imprison him. To repay his crimes, he must escort a divine‑born prince on a perilous quest across a dangerous land teeming with monsters, cannibals, demons and other dangers.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Alakazam the Great! yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Alakazam the Great! (1960)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Alakazam the Great! (1960). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Ancient Tang Dynasty-era mythic China

The story is set in a distant past that blends Tang-era aesthetics with legendary fantasy. It features heavenly tests by Buddha and a monk on a sacred pilgrimage. The landscapes oscillate between earthly villages and celestial realms, creating a timeless, mythic atmosphere.

Location

China, Heaven, Flaming Mountains, Tianzhu, Five Elements Mountain

Alakazam the Great! unfolds across a mythic ancient China with celestial realms woven into the journey. The action shifts from earthly villages to the heavens and back, including the volcanic Flaming Mountains and sacred peaks. The quest travels toward Tianzhu, a pilgrimage that ties mortal travelers to divine entities and ancient sutras.

🌏 Ancient World 🧭 Fantasy Adventure 🕊️ Mythic Realms

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:51

Main Characters – Alakazam the Great! (1960)

Meet the key characters of Alakazam the Great! (1960), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sanzō Hōshi (Nobuaki Sekine)

A principled monk guiding the pilgrimage with discipline and resolve. He uses practical wisdom to navigate dangers and keep the group focused. He places a headband on Goku, controlling his powers as part of their quest.

🎯 Leader 🗺️ Guide 🙏 Spiritual authority

Son Gokû (Kiyoshi Komiyama)

A stone-born monkey who rises to be king and quickly becomes consumed by pride and curiosity. His magical powers and bravado drive much of the action, but his journey toward humility bonds him to the team. He learns restraint after near-catastrophic tests and with Rin-Rin's influence.

🔥 Impulsive 🧠 Clever 🗡️ Brave

RinRin (Noriko Shindô)

A fellow monkey who befriends Goku and serves as a moral compass and loyal companion. She guides, consoles, and tempers Goku’s arrogance, even as she faces danger herself. Her voice links the mortal and divine sides of their journey.

🐵 Loyal 🫂 Compassionate 🧭 Wise

Gyū-Maō (Kinshirô Iwao)

A demon lord who lords over a realm of fire and deception. He schemes to extend his life by consuming Sanzo and his companions. His volcanic tricks and traps test the pilgrims and highlight the cost of power.

👹 Villainous 💥 Powerful 🧠 Cunning

Cho Hakkai (Hideo Kinoshita)

A pig-man whose actions oscillate between menace and aid. He challenges the group, then becomes an ally as misunderstandings are resolved. His wit and strength prove useful on the road.

🌀 Trickster 🐖 Gruff 🤝 Loyal

Sa Gojô (Setsuo Shinoda)

A man-eating ogre who joins the pilgrimage after being defeated by Goku. His brutal strength makes him a fearsome foe turned companion. He embodies the film’s theme of redemption and unlikely alliances.

🐉 Ferocious 🛡️ Protective 🤝 Redeemed

Shaka-nyorai (Kunihisa Takeda)

A celestial figure who tests and shapes the travelers. His presence emphasizes the martial and metaphysical stakes of the quest. He represents the world of enlightenment and divine authority.

🕉️ Transcendent 🧘‍♂️ Authority

Kanzeon-bosatsu (Katsuko Ozaki)

The compassionate bodhisattva who aids the pilgrims. She embodies mercy and guidance, appearing at critical moments to mentor the travelers. Her intervention helps resolve key conflicts.

🌸 Compassionate 🗺️ Protector

Shoryo (Michiko Shirasaka)

A mischievous imp who lures and deceives the group before changing sides. His treachery fuels early tension but later leads to a path of redemption alongside the others. His arc underscores the complexity of trust on the road.

👺 Imp 🌀 Deceptive 🤝 Redeemed

Ginkaku-daiô (Shichi Kazamatsuri)

One of the twin demon brothers who traps Goku and uses cunning to hinder their journey. His schemes are outmatched by the crew’s teamwork, and he ends up sealed away.

🗡️ Wily 🧪 Schemer

Kinkaku-daiô (Shigeru Kawakubo)

The other twin demon who competes with Goku and participates in traps against the pilgrims. He is bold and opportunistic, ultimately facing defeat and confinement alongside his brother.

🔥 Brash 🗡️ Rival

Rasetsu-jo (Tamae Kato)

A figure connected to Gyū-Maō’s schemes, involved in the desert trials and traps. Her role adds danger and intrigue as the group presses onward toward Tianzhu.

🗡️ Enforcer 🧭 Mysterious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:51

Major Themes – Alakazam the Great! (1960)

Explore the central themes of Alakazam the Great! (1960), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Journey

A pilgrimage drives the plot, testing the group as they travel to Tianzhu to retrieve a sacred sutra. The voyage exposes alliances, rivalries, and the limits of human endurance. The journey is both physical and spiritual, shaping the travelers' bonds.

🔥 Ambition

Goku's early arrogance fuels his thirst for power and glory, causing friction with companions and celestial authorities. The film explores the consequences of unchecked vanity as he confronts gods, demons, and the need for restraint. Humility gradually replaces bravado through trials and mentorship.

🤝 Friendship

Rin-Rin's companionship and Sanzo's leadership forge a fragile alliance among diverse beings. Trust builds as characters cooperate to outwit foes and protect each other. The pilgrimage becomes a test of loyalty beyond species or origin.

🕊️ Spirituality

Buddha, Kanzeon, and the Sutra anchor the tale in spiritual themes about enlightenment, fate, and mercy. The headband binding Goku creates a dynamic between freedom and restraint. The quest culminates in the sutra's attainment and a peaceful resolution.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:51

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Alakazam the Great!

Don't stop at just watching — explore Alakazam the Great! in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Alakazam the Great! is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Alakazam the Great! Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Alakazam the Great!, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Alakazam the Great! Summary

Alakazam the Great! Timeline

Track the full timeline of Alakazam the Great! with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Alakazam the Great! Timeline

More About Alakazam the Great!

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Alakazam the Great!: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Alakazam the Great!