Flame of Recca (1997)

Recca Hanabishi is the son of a fireworks maker, and a ninja. Or at least, he thinks he is! Since he was young, he's always felt a deep connection to those shadowy warriors from the past. But when the past comes calling, Recca's in for a fiery awakening.

Recca declares that he's Yanagi's personal ninja in front of the entire school, which causes all kinds of rumors. Fuko, Recca's rival, decides to see whether there's any truth to the claims.

Kage Hoshi reveals some disturbing information after Domon and Recca save Fuko from herself. Overhearing all of this, the next day Tokiya, an older classmate, challenges Recca to a fight.

Domon, Yanagi, and Fuko try to help Recca out of his depression over his loss to Tokiya. But a trip to an amusement park turns deadly when Tokiya challenges Recca once more.

Recca finds a kindred spirit in the new history teacher, who knows all about the ninja of the past. The visit to the teacher's home, however, goes wrong when enemies show up to kidnap Yanagi.

In order to unlock the secret of immortality for his father, Kurei has kidnapped Yanagi. Recca sets off to rescue her, with Domon and Fuko joining him to settle their own scores.

Rescuing Yanagi will be easier said than done. Kurei's mansion is filled with deadly tricks and traps, not to mention enemy madogu users.

Fuko, Domon, and Recca face off against the Kata Kugutsu madoku user, who can control dolls. But even if they succeed, Kurei has plenty more in store.

Following the fight against a master of dolls, the group is confronted by a mountain of a man, who takes the descriptor literally.

Tokiya lends a hand to Recca, allowing him to continue on to Yanagi. But then Kurei shows up, and reveals some startling truths about Recca's past.

Tokiya fights Koganei while Recca and the others are trapped in the demented Mokuren's lair. Upon hearing Yanagi's screams, Recca loses his cool.

Recca and the others face off against Kurei, who reveals the true nature of Hokage fire. It seems impossible to overcome, but Kage Hoshi has one last gambit in mind.

With his gauntlet off, the form of Recca's fire reveals itself. Making a deal with a dragon, Recca turns the heat up on Kurei.

Gathering at a secret mansion, Kage Hoshi, or rather Kagero, keeps her promise to reveal everything to Recca. She tells the story of his birth, long, long ago.

Unsettled by the truth of his birth, Recca turns his anger upon three would-be ninja assassins.

Determined to grow stronger for their inevitable showdown with Kurei, Recca attempts to master the eight dragons, while Fuko and Domon train with new madogu.

Recca and the others are invited to the Underground Death Tournament, and are given no choice but to accept.

The tournament begins, with Recca's Team Hokage up against the "bandit killers" in Team Kuu. The first match: the staff wielding Daikoku versus Tokiya!

With the conclusion of Tokiya's fight, it's time for Domon to step into the ring! But his opponent Minamio has flexibility on his side, literally.

None of the Team Kuu members have been pushovers, but none have been quite so vile and perverted as Fuko's opponent, Fujimaru! Can Fuko keep her cool, and her shirt?

At last, it's Recca's turn to fight. But his opponent Saicho declares he'll beat Recca in just 10 minutes. What can a guy who controls paper do against fire?

Unable to accept his team's "easy" win, Recca challenges the leader of Team Kuu, Kukai, to a final showdown to determine everything. But Kukai's not the saint he's described as.

Kukai's rampage is unstoppable, and to top it off, he claims he'll kill Yanagi as well as Recca! But there's something more to this fight, and Recca just might figure it out.

The next round of the tournament is upon Team Hokage, but Domon and Fuko have fallen into Kurei's trap! Rather than lose by default, a certain someone shows up to save the day.

Now a member of Team Hokage, Koganei faces down Shiju, the chimera. But even after winning, Domon and Fuko are still missing. Koganei will need to fight again, and this time the opponent is someone he knows.

Mokuren swallows Koganei, earning Team Hokage a loss. Rather than worrying about winning against the reborn serial killer, Tokiya steps into the ring to save Koganei.

Recca faces off against Meno, who looks to be nothing more than an innocent schoolgirl. But the vile Genjiro wouldn't leave anyone with their innocence.

The final battle of round two has Recca pitted against the leader of Team Uruha Illusion, Genjiro. But Genjiro was never worried about losing... and he's got his own ideas for what to do with Recca!

Round three of the tournament, and Team Hokage faces off against Team Uruha Sound. Domon's up first, but when his opponent starts stripping in the ring, something's definitely not right.

In a twist, Neon and Miki challenge Tokiya and Recca to a doubles match. But will the two be able to work past their differences to win, or will Neon sing their swan song?

Neon unleashes her requiem, a powerful effect that could kill everyone in the stadium! But why is she willing to go so far for Kurei's sake?

With their next opponents too injured to fight, Team Hokage automatically advances to the semi-finals. But Uruha Ma is filled with strange and deadly opponents... and Koganei's got to fight first!

In the second round, it's Recca versus "the Magician" Kashamaru, who specializes in copying techniques he's seen before. Good thing Recca's still got some tricks up his sleeve!

Fuko faces off against the heavily armed and armored Gashakura. It's a fight that pits force against intelligence... and they're going to have to go all out to see which one will win!

With both Fuko and Gashakura at their limits, they put everything on the line. Fuko gains a little help from the Fujin.

In the final bout of the semi-finals, it's the mysterious Magensha versus Domon! But there's also another Magensha hunting down Yanagi. Which is which? And where did Fuko go?

Domon's fight against Magensha continues, but it's only when Fuko reappears that the real fight begins! Domon's Ring of Saturn shines brightly.

A mysterious old man speaks with Team Hokage, imparting sage advice. The next day, a Kurei-less Uruha Crimson shows up to fight Team Hokage... and the first match is the Killer Machine Noroi versus Domon!

The swordsman Kai steps into the ring, and Tokiya recognizes the blade he wields. Fighting one another, Tokiya learns the truth behind his sister's death. Meanwhile, Recca confronts his dragons.

Mikoto from Uruha Kurenai has a creepy appearance, but what's truly frightening is her underhanded tactics! Fuko's got her work cut out for her, and Recca's trials against his dragons only get hotter.

The puzzling Joker forfeits his match with Koganei, leaving only one fight left... against Kurei! In a twist, Kurei takes on all of Team Hokage, but will Recca show up in time?

It's the final show down between Kurei and Recca. Flame versus flame, dragon versus phoenix. But Koran Mori still desires immortality, and nothing will stop him from obtaining it!