Five years after releasing its acclaimed open-world hitGhost of Tsushima, PlayStation is about to return to Japan with a new story of vengeance, identity, and purpose inGhost of Yōtei. The game is once again developed by Sucker Punch Productions and, like its predecessor, channels both the rich history of the Land of the Rising Sun and the classic films ofAkira Kurosawaand others to create a playable samurai epic that feelsripped right out of the movies. Ahead of its release in October, then, what better way to prepare than to watch titles thatinvoke the same mythologyit’s going for? Collider can exclusively announce a new partnership betweenAlamo DrafthouseandPlayStationfor a programming event titled “Way of the Samurai.” This new series will feature five classic samurai films, a menu inspired by the game, and a collectible popcorn bucket available for purchase now.
The films chosen for the collection are all represented in the key art and teased in the official video promoting the screenings. Leading the charge is the 1962 title,The Tale of Zatoichi, directed byKenji Misumiand following the titular Zatoichi, a blind swordsman hired to take part in a coming war between a Yakuza boss and his rival, who has hired a similarly skilled master of the blade whom Zatoichi has long respected. It’s a stone-cold black and white classic chronicling the friendship between two enemies who know they must one day fight each other and long for one final epic showdown. After that is theTakashi Miike-helmed13 Assassinsremake, centering on a group of skilled swordsmen who vow to take down a high-ranking lord and his guards for his heinous actions against his people. 1973’sLady Snowblood, meanwhile, is an especially fitting choice forYōteigiven its themes of vengeance surrounding the titular killer. Finally, the event is rounded out by the1985 Kurosawa classicRan, inspired byWilliam Shakespeare’sKing Lear, and the 1972 manga adaptation,Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, following the adventures of a ronin and his young son.
To complement the screenings, Alamo Drafthouse will showcase its culinary side with its themed food items, including Togarishai Shishito Pepper skewers, “Samurai Slice Pizza,” a Mango Matcha Shake, Midori & Rye, and a Yuzu Gin Spritz. Pulling everything together is theGhost of Yōtei-inspired popcorn bucketresembling a traditional Japanese rice bucket. It’s also marked with the game’s logo and a patterned strap, along with the PlayStation icon, making it a perfect collectible to accompany Sucker Punch’s epic.
What Is ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ About?
Following in the footsteps ofthe samurai stories before it,Ghost of Yōteitakes place around Mount Yōtei and casts players as the wandering ronin Atsu (Erika Ishii/Fairouz Ai). Sixteen years prior, she witnessed her village being razed and her family being murdered by the Yōtei Six, a vicious group of renegade samurai led by Lord Saitō. Atsu herself barely survived after being pinned to a burning ginkgo tree by her father’s sword. As a grown warrior, her sole purpose in lifehas been to get revengeon the samurai, donning the persona of a vengeful spirit known as an onryō to right the wrongs done to her. Players have a new arsenal of tools at their disposal to explore the land and strike down the Six in any order they please, but along the way, Atsu will be confronted with the reality that she’s becoming lost in the hunt with no identity beyond the onryō.
Tickets and showtimes for the various Way of the Samurai screenings are availableon the official Alamo Drafthouse website, while the bucket can be found now onAlamo Martand on August 2 at Alamo locations nationwide. The programming event will run through September 4. After that, players will be able to get their hands onGhost of Yōteiexclusively on PlayStation 5 on October 2. Check out the official trailer above and get a look at the bucket, key art, and menu in the gallery below.
