Doomed Megalopolis

Doomed Megalopolis
The cover of ADV's DVD release of Doomed Megalopolis.
帝都物語 (Teitō Monogatari)
Genre	Alternate History, Historical, Horror, Fantasy
Original video animation
Directed by	Rintaro
Produced by	Takashige Ichise
Written by	Akinori Endō
Music by	Kazz Toyama
Studio	Madhouse
Released	September 27, 1991 – August 14, 1992
Runtime	40 minutes (each)
Episodes	4

Doomed Megalopolis (帝都物語, Teito Monogatari^?) is a supernatural/dark fantasy anime. It is an adaptation of the historical fantasy novel Teito Monogatari by Hiroshi Aramata. The anime is darker, more violent and sexualized than any previous adaptations of the novel; an artistic decision probably inspired by the financial success of the OVA Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend. Like its live-action predecessor, Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis, the anime is only an adaptation of the first 1/3rd (the first four books) of the original novel.

It was released by Toei in 1991 as a 4-part OVA. In 1995, Streamline Pictures gained the rights to the anime and released it on a four-volume cassette series in the US, under the title Doomed Megalopolis. In 2001, ADV Films re-released the entire series on a 2-Disc DVD edition. However, this release did not have the original Japanese soundtrack or any special features. Eventually, ADV gathered the rights to the original Japanese voices, and in 2003, re-released an enhanced version entitled Doomed Megalopolis: Special Edition, wherein the Japanese language option was available and bonus features, such as interviews and documentaries were added.

The plot concerns a spiritual battle within Tokyo during the early 20th century.

The story begins in contemporary Tokyo, with a voice over narrative concerning the state of the expanding city. The narrator tells the tale of how Taira no Masakado went against the Emperor and was executed for his crimes. However, his hatred for the new capital of Edo has left a dangerous onryo that persists in the city to this day. Throughout the years, Masakado's spirit was placated through the worship of the citizens of Tokyo, and he became deified as the city's guardian spirit. If his powerful spirit were to be awoken and/or disturbed though, his suppressed anger against the Japanese Empire would be unleashed and would cause havoc on a national level.