Professional Killers (1973) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An Edo assassin follows his private moral code as criminal violence and official corruption threaten a territory's fragile succession.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Healer's Hidden Work

Baian is introduced as an Edo acupuncturist who secretly accepts killings according to his own moral judgment. He takes the assignment to kill Oteru, and her death draws other killers into dispute.

Key Events

• Baian's Double Life — Baian practices acupuncture and secretly works as a killer guided by his own judgment. Characters: Baian Fujieda Location: Edo
• A Discriminating Code — Baian accepts jobs only against people he believes harm others or society. Characters: Baian Fujieda Location: Edo
• The Oteru Assignment — A fellow assassin asks Baian to kill Oteru, Bunkichi's second wife. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Oteru Location: Edo
• Oteru Is Killed — Baian accepts the job and kills Oteru, despite finding killing women difficult. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Oteru Location: Edo

Corruption and Succession

Mineyama's extortion and abuse of office weigh on people and vendors connected to the territory. After its boss dies, Tamekichi must manage the territory amid Magohachi's destabilizing presence.

Key Events

• Magohachi Confronts Tokujiro — Magohachi challenges Tokujiro over Oteru's killing and the thieves' code. Characters: Gozamatsu no Magohachi, Tokujiro Location: Edo
• Mineyama's Extortion — Mineyama uses his city office to extort money and intimidate people. Characters: Matajûrô Mineyama Location: Edo
• A Bribe for Office — Mineyama offers a struggling man an officer's position in exchange for a large bribe. Characters: Matajûrô Mineyama Location: Edo
• Vendors Under Pressure — Mineyama abuses his authority against vendors connected to the territory. Characters: Matajûrô Mineyama, Tamekichi Location: San-no-Matsu territory
• A Successor Takes Charge — After the territory's boss dies, Tamekichi is left to manage its affairs. Characters: Tamekichi Location: San-no-Matsu territory

Targets Multiply

Those handling the dead boss's request doubt that killing Mineyama alone will restore peace, so Magohachi is also named as a target. Baian refuses Mineyama's offer to join the officer system.

Key Events

• Magohachi's Unrest — Magohachi's activities are described as a source of danger and unrest for the territory. Characters: Gozamatsu no Magohachi, Tamekichi Location: San-no-Matsu territory
• The Killing Requests Expand — Those handling the dead boss's request conclude that removing Mineyama alone may not restore peace and add Magohachi as a target. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Matajûrô Mineyama, Gozamatsu no Magohachi Location: Edo
• Baian Refuses Office — Baian refuses Mineyama's offer to work as an officer because he will not join a corrupt system. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Matajûrô Mineyama Location: Edo

Confrontation and Spring

Baian confronts Mineyama over the harm he causes and survives their dangerous fight. The disputes are closed, Tamekichi can succeed his father, and the story ends with hopes for peace and a wedding.

Key Events

• Threats Within the Territory — Tamekichi faces threats from within his territory as the disputes intensify. Characters: Tamekichi, Gozamatsu no Magohachi Location: San-no-Matsu territory
• Baian Faces Mineyama — Baian tells Mineyama he intends to kill him for harming society, and the two fight. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Matajûrô Mineyama Location: Edo
• Baian Survives the Water — Baian survives a dangerous encounter that leaves him in the water and confirms he refused Mineyama's offer. Characters: Baian Fujieda, Matajûrô Mineyama Location: Water
• The Dispute Is Closed — Those involved agree not to reopen the case, allowing Tamekichi to succeed his father without further worries. Characters: Tamekichi Location: San-no-Matsu territory
• Spring and a Wedding Prospect — Tamekichi welcomes spring and hopes his father can rest in peace; the story closes with the prospect of a wedding and peace. Characters: Tamekichi, Baian Fujieda Location: San-no-Matsu territory

Story Breakdown

• Baian's Double Life — Baian balances his public healing work with secret killings governed by personal judgment.
  • Edo Acupuncturist — Baian works as an acupuncturist in Edo.
  • Private Moral Code — He accepts jobs only against people he believes harm others or society.
• Oteru's Assignment — A request to kill Oteru leads to a death that widens conflict among killers.
  • The Contract — A fellow assassin asks Baian to kill Oteru, Bunkichi's second wife.
  • Death and Dispute — Baian kills Oteru, and Magohachi confronts Tokujiro over the killing and the thieves' code.
• Mineyama's Corruption — Mineyama turns his city position into a means of extracting money and intimidating people.
  • Bribed Appointment — He offers a struggling man an officer's position for a large bribe.
  • Vendor Intimidation — He abuses his authority against vendors connected to San-no-Matsu.
• Tamekichi's Succession — A dead boss leaves Tamekichi responsible for the territory amid threats and instability.
  • A Father's Death — After the territory's boss dies, Tamekichi is left to manage its affairs.
  • Threats Within — Tamekichi faces danger from within the territory as Magohachi fuels unrest.
• Expanding Kill Requests — The people handling the request recognize that addressing one source of violence may not bring peace.
  • Mineyama Named — The dead boss had requested Mineyama's death.
  • Magohachi Added — Because Magohachi's brothel and gambling operations fuel violence, a further request is made against him.
• Baian Rejects Office — Baian refuses to join the corrupt system and applies his own judgment to Mineyama.
  • Refusal of the Offer — Baian declines Mineyama's offer to work as an officer.
  • Judgment of Mineyama — Baian tells Mineyama he intends to kill him because he harms people and society.
• Confrontation and Peace — Baian survives his fight with Mineyama, and the territory's disputes are finally laid to rest.
  • Dangerous Fight — Baian and Mineyama fight, and Baian survives an encounter that leaves him in the water.
  • Spring's Promise — The case is not reopened, Tamekichi succeeds his father, and the story closes with hopes for peace and a wedding.

Directed by

Yūsuke Watanabe

Key Cast

• Jirō Tamiya — Baian Fujieda
• Kōji Takahashi — Sanai Nishimura
• So Yamamura — Hanemon(Otowaya)
• Taisaku Akino — Misaki no Senzô
• Kohji Moritsugu — Tamekichi