Goemon

Goemon

Year: 2009

Runtime: 128 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Kazuaki Kiriya

ActionFantasyDramaEpic heroesEpic history and literature

The film follows the legendary ninja thief Ishikawa Goemon, portrayed by Yosuke Eguchi, as he mounts a daring raid on the Nanban—Southern Barbarians—seeking treasure. Amid the loot he discovers a secret grave that holds a mysterious box, an ancient relic whose forgotten powers could alter his destiny.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Goemon (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Goemon (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

16th century

The events unfold in the late 1500s, a time of rapid territorial shifts and intense feudal conflict. Nobunaga’s death triggers a power vacuum that leads Hideyoshi and Mitsunari to battle for supremacy. The era is defined by betrayals, daring assassinations, and large-scale battles that shape Japan's future.

Location

Nobunaga's castle, Kyoto city, temple ruins, Hideyoshi's palace, royal ships

Set against the volatile Sengoku period, the story moves through noble castles, bustling urban centers, sacred temples, and grand ships. Castles and palaces become the theaters of shifting loyalties and brutal power plays, while temples and waterfalls mark moments of fate and confrontation. The world is torn between warlords, spies, and ninjas, all vying for control of a fractured country.

🏯 Feudal Japan ⚔️ Warfare 🗺️ Political intrigue

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

Main Characters – Goemon (2009)

Meet the key characters of Goemon (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ishikawa Goemon (Yosuke Eguchi)

A daring outlaw who rises from tragedy to become a legendary figure navigating loyalty, vengeance, and personal freedom. His arc moves from rescue and training under a warlord to brutal acts in the name of peace, culminating in a self-sacrificing final stand.

🗡️ Antihero 🏹 Freedom seeker 🌌 Destiny

Kirigakure Saizō (Takao Osawa)

Goemon’s pragmatic ally who seeks status within the samurai world. His ambition leads to perilous choices and devastating losses, ending in a brutal fate that tests loyalties and courage.

🗡️ Loyalist ⚔️ Rival 🧭 Ambition

Chacha Asai (Ryoko Hirosue)

Noblewoman and Nobunaga’s designated liaison, she grows to navigate danger and political machination. Her bond with Goemon becomes a linchpin in the shifting loyalties around the central power struggles.

👑 Noblewoman 💔 Love 🧭 Political Player

Mitsunari Ishida (Jun Kaname)

A high-ranking samurai whose ambition fuels the post-Nobunaga power struggle. He serves as a calculating antagonist whose schemes heighten the stakes for Goemon and Saizō.

🗡️ Strategist 🧭 Rival 💼 Politician

Tokugawa Ieyasu (Masatô Ibu)

A rising power who becomes the central political force after the clashes. His leadership and decisions shape the ongoing struggle between competing factions.

🏛️ Statesman 🗺️ Power broker 🛡️ Leader

Goemon's Mother (Ryo)

A maternal figure whose death underscores the personal costs of the feuds sweeping through Goemon’s world. Her fate highlights the human stakes behind the battles for power.

👩 Tragedy 🧭 Catalyst 🪡 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

Major Themes – Goemon (2009)

Explore the central themes of Goemon (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Power Struggle

Warlords and their retinues vie for dominance, turning every alliance into a bargaining chip. The pursuit of land, influence, and prestige drives alliances, betrayals, and brutal decision-making. The narrative centers on how power is gained, maintained, and contested.

🕊️ Loyalty and Betrayal

Characters switch sides and test fealty in a world where trust is scarce. Personal bonds collide with political necessity, leading to crushing betrayals and costly sacrifices. Loyalties are constantly renegotiated as the balance of power shifts.

✨ Sacrifice and Destiny

Individual costs are immense as characters sacrifice freedom, family, and even life for a larger peace. The protagonist’s choices are driven by a sense of destined duty, even as they seek personal redemption. The pursuit of peace comes at a steep, often tragic price.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

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Goemon Summary

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Goemon Summary

Goemon Timeline

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Goemon Timeline

Goemon Spoiler-Free Summary

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Goemon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Goemon

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