Golden Kamuy

In 1904, Saichi Sugimoto fights bravely in the Russo-Japanese War at 203 Meter Hill in China. This bloody battle resulted in staggering losses, with 60,000 Japanese and 40,000 Russian soldiers dead, marking a pivotal moment in Saichi's life.

Despite taking a direct hit during the battle, Saichi miraculously survives, showcasing extraordinary resilience. He manages to storm through Russian trenches and defeats several enemies, though he tragically fails to save his comrade Toraji.

Two years post-war, Sugimoto is haunted by the traumatic memories of battle and the guilt from killing his commanding officer. Struggling to survive without a pension, he embarks on a quest for a better life, driven by desperation.

In his search for a new life, Sugimoto hears rumors of hidden treasure in Hokkaido, said to belong to the Ainu tribe, which was hoarded for a potential conflict against the Japanese. The lead comes from a drunken vagabond who speaks of a massive fortune worth eight billion yen.

The madman Noppera-Bo, responsible for the massacre of Ainu revolutionaries, is captured by the Imperial Army. Despite enduring brutal torture in Abashiri Prison, Noppera-Bo remains silent about the location of the treasure, leading to a desperate plot among the imprisoned convicts.

In a cunning bid to communicate with his fellow inmates, Noppera-Bo tattoos the coordinates of the treasure onto specific convicts. This act sparks a fervor as rumors of their escape and the treasure spread, igniting hopes among those wanting wealth.

While reconvening with the vagabond, Sugimoto discovers that the man is actually a tattooed convict named Takechiyo Goto. A sudden bear attack leads to another twist in the tale, as Sugimoto is saved by an Ainu woman named Asirpa.

Asirpa reveals her motivations tied to her own family's tragedy at the hands of Noppera-Bo. Joining forces with Sugimoto, they vow to find the treasure and simultaneously seek revenge for her father's death, setting the stage for their adventurous quest.

Sugimoto and Asirpa travel to Otaru to gather more information regarding the tattoos. Their inquiries inadvertently attract the attention of two convicts, resulting in a tense situation as they confront their foes among the mountains.

The encounter escalates when Hyakunosuke Ogata from the Imperial Army arrives, leading to further chaos. In the confrontation, one convict is killed, testing Sugimoto's ethical beliefs as Asirpa instead opts to sketch the tattoos, avoiding bloodshed.

As the conflict intensifies, convict Yoshitake Shiraishi reveals the involvement of Toshizō Hijikata, a former samurai. Hijikata is orchestrating a jailbreak for the tattooed prisoners while planning to establish a Republic of Ezo with the treasure's potential funding.

Tokushirō Tsurumi, commander of the 7th Division, grows suspicious of Sugimoto's ties to the convicts. His ambition to use the gold for his regime in Hokkaido reveals his disdain for the government, marking him as a formidable antagonist in Sugimoto's journey.

Amidst growing dangers, Aseripa resorts to tracking Sugimoto using his socks, though fate diverts her to Yoshitake instead. Uniting with Yoshitake, they rush to rescue Sugimoto from Tsurumi's men, deepening their bonds forged by shared experiences.

Sugimoto reflects on the sacrifices made by his childhood friends, revealing his vow to find the treasure to honor Toraji's memory. His journey becomes intertwined with healing Ume's blindness, underscoring themes of friendship and remembrance.

The haunting memory of Noppera-Bo looms over Asirpa and Sugimoto as they delve deeper into their quest. Their navigation through betrayal, loss, and revenge unfolds, bringing them into a vortex of vengeance that might consume them both.