The Beginning

Aku, an evil shape-shifting demon, devastates a boy Japanese prince’s land and abducts his father, the Emperor. The prince’s mother sends him into exile, where he begins training around the world under various teachers to develop the skills needed to defeat Aku. Returning to Japan as a young man, the prince receives a mystical katana and a samurai gi from his mother, then frees his father and people from Aku’s minions. Despite the Emperor’s warnings, the prince advances on Aku’s tower. He defeats Aku in battle, but before he can strike the killing blow, Aku casts a spell to send him into the future.