Dragon Blue

Mayuko is a feng shui expert who, in a nearly absurd rush of exposition in the first scene of Dragon Blue, discovers that she is the blood heir of the Dragon Clan and a born demon hunter. It's a completely unmotivated but thoroughly spooky encounter between Mayuko and a demonic ghost, and she's saved by an ancient priest spirit who explains her legacy. "Why does this always happen to me?" she ponders before flying off to a remote island to investigate an ancient curse and battle a legendary Sea Demon. Mayuko befriends a burly, chivalrous detective and a little orphan boy nicknamed "the Devil's Child" who hides his own dark secret.

Directed by Takuya Wada, Dragon Blue leans on a strong ensemble — Hiroko Tanaka, Keiji Mutō, Maro Yumeno — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about fantasy titles of 1996.