Year: 1991
Runtime: 60 mins
Language: Japanese
Directors: Tetsuo Imazawa, John Wolskel
After brilliant surgeon Ukyo Retsu excises what appears to be a malignant tumor from a mysterious elderly woman, he discovers the growth is actually a 5,000‑year‑old demon. Realizing the ancient evil threatens humanity, Ukyo is forced to become Earth’s reluctant guardian, using his medical expertise and newfound powers to combat the menace.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Psychic Wars (1991), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
An Osaka hospital drama unravels as myth and medicine collide. A seasoned surgeon known as Dr. Ukyo Rettsu is confronted by an elderly psychic woman pleading for the removal of a massive cancerous growth. He soon discovers the “cancer” is not a disease but a demon messenger forecasting a long-foretold invasion from 5,000 years ago, and that he may be the prophesied man meant to stop it. The woman’s spirit, though she dies, blesses Rettsu with startling new powers—superhuman toughness, speed, and strength—that reshape his life and his sense of responsibility.
To confront the looming threat, Rettsu partners with his lover, Fuyuko Asahina, and together they embark on a quest that spans time and memory. They probe the depths of Japan’s past, chasing clues to an ancient temple where Rettsu must confront and slay a colossal demon. Along the way, their mission broadens into a test of faith and reason, blending science with age-old prophecy as they inch toward a confrontation that could alter humanity’s fate. On their journey, Rettsu faces the Demon of Water and the Demon of Earth as they race to avert a catastrophe that stretches from antiquity to the present.
Their path leads to Kyoto University, where Rettsu seeks counsel from his old ally, Prof. Takase. The professor points them toward the desolate ruins of the Jomon period, suggesting that the ancient demon civilization might still be hidden beneath the earth. In a daring expedition with Asahina, Rettsu uncovers a portal that catapults him back five millennia, placing him in a world ruled by five nun spirits—the Five Goddesses—who pledge their aid in the coming struggle. In this prehistoric era, Rettsu bands with indigenous humans, shielding them from demonic forces and slipping into the demon civilization’s underground realm. He learns the demons’ plan is to leap forward into the future and erase humanity to preserve their own race from extinction.
Back in the present, Rettsu carries out a desperate mission to sever the demon threat once and for all. He destroys the demon horde at the brink of a portal that the unseen demon queen would use to cross into their world, and then completes the work when he returns to today, ending the immediate danger.
Yet the victory is not the end. After a tender reunion with Asahina, Rettsu intends to marry, only to be warned by the Five Goddesses that the demon race is not extinct. The queen still lives, and she has thrived by manipulating history—seducing men across ages to spawn new demons and secretly rebuild her civilization. In a hidden catacomb, Asahina reveals her true identity as the demon queen who adopted a human shell. She proposes to die with Rettsu as an act of tragic love, but the goddesses intervene. Rettsu fights back and defeats her, and Asahina dies proclaiming her love as the curse is finally broken and Rettsu returns to a life where the threat of annihilation has been lifted. The balance between science and myth is restored, and the world breathes a cautious, renewed peace.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:53
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Where ordinary people are forced to become mythic guardians of humanity.If you enjoyed the compelling arc of Ukyo Retsu in Psychic Wars, you'll find similar journeys here. This section collects movies featuring ordinary individuals forced to confront supernatural or apocalyptic evils, often blending personal drama with high-stakes mythology in movies like Hellboy or The Mummy.
The narrative pattern begins with an ordinary individual encountering a supernatural or ancient force that shatters their normal life. They are reluctant to accept the call to action, but circumstances force them to become the world's unlikely protector. The conflict often involves mastering new powers and making profound personal sacrifices to avert catastrophe.
Movies in this thread share the core theme of an unwilling protagonist facing a destiny they did not choose. They are united by a mix of high-stakes mythological conflict, intense personal struggle, and the emotional weight of sacrificing a normal life for a greater cause, creating a powerful and tragic hero's journey.
Stories where the threat to humanity is a corrupting force within the body itself.Fans of the visceral demonic tumor and themes of possession in Psychic Wars will appreciate this selection. Discover movies that explore similar fears of bodily corruption, ancient evils manifesting through infection or transformation, blending horror with sci-fi or fantasy in titles like The Thing or Parasyte.
These narratives often begin with a scientific or medical discovery that reveals a horrifying, inhuman entity hiding within a familiar form. The horror escalates as the entity spreads, corrupting and transforming people from the inside out. The climax frequently involves a painful choice to destroy the infected, even if they are loved ones.
These films are grouped by their shared focus on body horror as a primary source of terror. They create a unique sense of dread through themes of internal corruption, the violation of the self, and the tragic necessity of fighting a threat that has become intimately personal, resulting in a deeply unsettling and intense experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Psychic Wars 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 Psychic Wars is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Psychic Wars with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Psychic Wars. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Psychic Wars that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Psychic Wars: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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