Coming to theaters in Japan in just a few days (August 13, 2021) and scheduled to premiere overseas over the course of this month, I wish it were easier to be able to see this latest directorial work of Miike Takashi. Given his penchant for the extreme and extravagant, it looks to be a wild display of yokai craziness and fun.

As the sequel to 2005 film The Great Yokai War (妖怪大戦争), also directed by Miike Takashi, The Great Yokai War: Guardians features a plot quite similar to its prequel in that humankind is once again in peril as the city of Tokyo comes under attack by yokai. Unlike the first film, however, which featured a distinct revenge plot with the antagonist seeking vengeance explicitly against modern Japan for the extermination of local tribes, the “monster” of the film takes more the form of a natural disaster. In fact, that is what it is mistaken for by the “modern Japanese.”

The only ones who know better are the other yokai, who take it upon themselves to try and put a stop to the rampage, led by elementary school student Watanabe Kei (Terada Kokoro), who has inherited the blood of the legendary samurai folk hero Watanabe no Tsuna (953-1025), known in Japanese folklore to have taken on many yokai, especially oni. The most notable and notorious of which was Ibaraki Doji, who also makes an appearance in this film.

Based off the trailer, this film appears to feature a number of the “major players” of Japanese folklore like the kitsune, tanuki, and the tengu, as well as some more obscure ones such as the ubume or the amanojaku. As a fan of Japanese medieval literature, the historic references to Japanese folklore by having the main character essentially take on his ancestor’s role as yokai “slayer,” even seems to battle Ibaraki Doji again, makes me smile.

As to perhaps be expected not only of Miike Takashi, but also of a grand ensemble production such as this, the cast does not disappoint. A lot of recognizable faces, some up and coming some veteran, but perhaps what I am most warmed by is the presence of Kamiki Ryunosuke, who starred as the human boy hero in the previous film, in the cast as Kei’s homeroom teacher.

Needless to say, I am definitely planning on and looking forward to seeing this when I get the chance.