The Red Spectacles

The Red Spectacles

Year: 1987

Runtime: 116 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Mamoru Oshii

Science FictionActionComedy

In the summer of 1995, the arrival of the “Age of Cats” leads to the disbanding of the Kerberos police unit. One former member, a lone stray dog, returns to his old headquarters after three years of exile. No longer tied to a master, he is now guided by the enigmatic “Young Lady of Fate” as he embarks on his journey.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Red Spectacles 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 – The Red Spectacles (1987)

Trace every key event in The Red Spectacles (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Formation of Kerberos

In the 20th century, Tokyo faces rising crime and lawlessness. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department establishes the Anti-Vicious Crime Kerberos unit to combat evil and restore order. The team is heavily armed and equipped with machine guns and reinforcement gear, signaling a shift toward a militarized approach to policing.

20th century Tokyo, Japan
2

Kerberos takes on the streets

Kerberos quickly takes on high-risk assignments and asserts control over Tokyo's crime-weary streets. They operate as a heavily armed, mobile unit, using machine guns and reinforcement gear to confront criminals head-on. Initially, their aggressive methods seem effective and crime drops under their watch.

20th century Tokyo, Japan
3

Rise of zeal and corruption

By the 1990s, Kerberos's zeal mutates into fanatic hatred of evil, pushing them toward cruel and corrupt actions. Public perception shifts as the line between law enforcer and vigilante blurs. Despite some successes, the unit's methods invite scrutiny and internal dissent.

1990s Tokyo, Japan
4

Beating death sparks disbandment

A Kerberos member beats a misdemeanor offender to death, triggering a massive public outcry. The incident seals the unit's fate, leading to disbandment and orders to disarm and scatter. The once-feared squad becomes a symbol of excess and abuse of power.

late 1990s Tokyo, Japan
5

Flight to the Port: three escapees

Three elite Kerberos members—Kōichi Todome, Washio Midori, and Sōichirō Toribe—refuse to disarm and flee toward the Port of Tokyo. They plan to escape the city by helicopter, hoping to vanish from the government’s reach. The Port becomes their temporary fortress as their ordeal continues.

post-disbandment Port of Tokyo
6

Ambush at the harbor

The trio is ambushed by bounty hunters near the Port of Tokyo, and a fierce firefight ensues. They manage to repel the attack, but the encounter leaves them damaged and increasingly desperate to disappear. The pursuit marks the end of any chance of a clean retreat.

post-disbandment Port of Tokyo
7

Injuries and a promise

During the ambush, Sōichirō Toribe and Washio Midori are grievously injured. They beg Todome to escape in the helicopter alone, promising that Todome will return for them. Todome reluctantly agrees, bound by duty and friendship to keep the promise.

post-disbandment Port of Tokyo
8

Todome returns as a fugitive

Three years later, Todome, now a fugitive from the government, returns to Tokyo. He finds the city unrecognizable, its buildings decayed and reality warped into a strange, surreal landscape. His return sets in motion a new, unsettling journey.

three years after disbandment Tokyo, Japan
9

A transformed Tokyo

Todome wanders through a city that no longer resembles the one he left. The decay accelerates, and the mundane becomes uncanny as familiar streets twist into dreamlike spaces. His search for the truth and for his comrades leads him deeper into the mystery.

present day Tokyo, Japan
10

The red-clad mystery woman

In the surreal streets, Todome encounters a mysterious young woman clad in red. She seems connected to the strange world around him and hints at hidden meanings behind the changes in Tokyo. Her presence deepens the sense that reality is unraveling.

present day Tokyo, Japan
11

The hunter's trail

Hitmen led by Bunmei Muroto pursue Todome through the transformed city, adding danger to his fragile quest. The pursuit intensifies the film’s dreamlike mood and tests Todome’s resolve to find his missing friends. The cat-and-mouse chase reveals a larger conspiracy behind Tokyo’s metamorphosis.

present day Tokyo, Japan
12

The tachiguishi appear

Eccentric con artists known as tachiguishi appear, swindling patrons at stand-and-eat food stalls despite public order concerns. The whimsical but sinister antics contribute to the film’s otherworldly atmosphere. Todome’s journey intersects with these odd characters as he searches for meaning.

present day Tokyo, Japan
13

The dying dream and Todome's fate

In the end, it is revealed that most of the events were a dying dream Todome experiences upon returning to Tokyo. The dream collapses in a cruel twist as Todome is attacked and killed shortly after his return. The film closes on the sense that reality and illusion have merged in Todome’s fate.

finale Tokyo, Japan

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:38

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The Red Spectacles Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Red Spectacles

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