Utsu no Miko

In the midst of the Jinshin-no-Ran civil war of 762, a boy named Utsunomiko is born with a horn on his forehead, marked as an oni by his mother. An elderly shūgenja woman takes him in and teaches him the ways of Shugendō, while he learns to navigate the complexities of the world around him.

As Miko grows, he becomes aware of the suffering of the villagers and begins to use his spiritual powers to assist them. His journey unfolds as he confronts the self-serving rulers and their conflicts, ultimately positioning himself as a champion for the oppressed. The film's unique blend of fantasy and animation, coupled with its rich narrative, makes it a notable entry in the genre.