Atsuo Kikuchi

In 1907, a group of men climb an unconquered peak in the last unmapped region of Japan.

In May 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (or JAXA) launched an unmanned spacecraft of their own development to retrieve samples from an asteroid. Seven long years later, Hayabusa achieved its goal and was the first of any kind of craft launched from Earth to safely return samples of this kind to home base. The story was one of such great national pride for Japan, and in the wake of the tsunami and resulting tragedies in Japan it’s strong nationalistic message became the subject of no less than three rival films. Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s high-profile effort, simply titled Hayabusa (2011) starred the incomparable Toshiyuki Nishida. Most recently, Welcome Home, Hayabusa (2012) was released to Japanese audiences. Slipping in between those two was Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home, concentrating on the people on the ground who helped return the probe safely.

Upon rescuing a friend who is being held captive by a wicked classmate and his gang of bullies, 11-year-olds Tetsushi, Yuusuke, and Ryoji unexpectedly find themselves entwined in a supernatural battle against the forces of hell. Armed with courage, wit, and three magical charms given to them by a mysterious hermit, they set out to thwart the evil in a quest, which takes them to the depths of hell and brings them to a final battle with the god of death himself.

In 1907, a group of men climb an unconquered peak in the last unmapped region of Japan.

In 1907, a group of men climb an unconquered peak in the last unmapped region of Japan.

In May 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (or JAXA) launched an unmanned spacecraft of their own development to retrieve samples from an asteroid. Seven long years later, Hayabusa achieved its goal and was the first of any kind of craft launched from Earth to safely return samples of this kind to home base. The story was one of such great national pride for Japan, and in the wake of the tsunami and resulting tragedies in Japan it’s strong nationalistic message became the subject of no less than three rival films. Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s high-profile effort, simply titled Hayabusa (2011) starred the incomparable Toshiyuki Nishida. Most recently, Welcome Home, Hayabusa (2012) was released to Japanese audiences. Slipping in between those two was Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home, concentrating on the people on the ground who helped return the probe safely.

Upon rescuing a friend who is being held captive by a wicked classmate and his gang of bullies, 11-year-olds Tetsushi, Yuusuke, and Ryoji unexpectedly find themselves entwined in a supernatural battle against the forces of hell. Armed with courage, wit, and three magical charms given to them by a mysterious hermit, they set out to thwart the evil in a quest, which takes them to the depths of hell and brings them to a final battle with the god of death himself.