Demon City streaming on Netflix presents a gripping story of vengeance and redemption, with its protagonist, Sakata Shuhe (Toma Ikuta), at the heart of the action.
A once-ruthless hitman, Sakata is a complex character whose journey from a feared assassin to a broken man seeking justice makes him one of the most compelling figures in the action-thriller genre.
Overview
Sakata Shuhe
Sakata Shuhe is a highly skilled hitman known for his deadly efficiency and unmatched combat abilities. His expertise in assassination makes him a valuable asset in the criminal underworld.
However, despite his brutal profession, he is deeply devoted to his family, consisting of his wife and daughter, Rio. He yearns for a peaceful life away from violence, but his past refuses to let him go.
Sakata’s final assignment is to eliminate the Kunu-gumi gang on behalf of the Kimen-gumi, a powerful criminal organization that seeks control over the ports of Shinjo City.
Believing this to be his last job before retiring, he fulfills the mission, unaware that this decision will cost him everything.
The Catalyst for Revenge
Sakata’s hopes for a normal life are shattered when, soon after his last job, his family is targeted by the very organization he worked for. The Kimen-gumi, fearing his retirement could pose a threat to their control, send masked men to eliminate him.
Instead, Sakata is forced to witness the brutal execution of his wife and daughter before being shot himself. To make matters worse, he is blamed for their deaths, adding an extra layer of tragedy to his already unbearable loss.
Left for dead, he miraculously survives but is permanently scarred—both physically and mentally.
Twelve Years of Torment
For twelve long years, Sakata is confined to a wheelchair, unable to fight back against those who wronged him. During this time, he is cared for by his close friend Fuji, a fellow hitman who had worked alongside him in the past.
Fuji remains by his side, offering support as Sakata struggles with trauma, grief, and the weight of his past. During this period, his existence is marked by helplessness.
Once a formidable assassin, he is now a man trapped in his own body, unable to take revenge. His physical limitations mirror his emotional suffering, making him a tragic figure who has lost his purpose.
A Mysterious Transformation
Everything changes when a masked member of the Kimen-gumi gang infiltrates Sakata’s hospital room. The intruder injects a strange liquid into his IV drip, mocking him as he lies in a weakened state.
However, instead of incapacitating him further, the substance has an unexpected effect—it grants him immense physical strength and endurance. Despite his long-term injuries, Sakata finds himself able to move, fight, and endure lethal blows.
This mysterious power fuels his thirst for revenge, setting him on a relentless killing spree against those responsible for his family’s death.
The Path of Vengeance
With his newfound strength, Sakata embarks on a bloody journey, eliminating Kimen-gumi operatives one by one. His methods are ruthless, and his endurance is almost inhuman, as he withstands severe injuries while continuing to fight.
One of his most daring moves involves infiltrating an enemy stronghold by pretending to be a corpse. Placed inside a body bag by his friend Fuji, he is smuggled into the building, only to emerge and massacre everyone inside.
However, before he can finish his mission, the masked men escape and destroy the building with explosives, assuming Sakata has perished.
Once again, he miraculously survives, defying death with an almost supernatural resilience. This only strengthens his resolve, pushing him further down the path of vengeance.
Betrayal and a Shocking Revelation
As Sakata inches closer to uncovering the truth, he encounters Fuji, who has been mortally wounded. In his final moments, Fuji confesses his betrayal—he was the one who orchestrated the murder of Sakata’s family, handing them over to the Kimen-gumi.
This revelation is a devastating blow, as Fuji had been his closest ally throughout his suffering.
With no hesitation, Sakata executes Fuji, ensuring that the last person who betrayed him pays for their sins.
However, his revenge mission takes an unexpected turn when he learns that his daughter, Rio, is still alive.
A Father’s Struggle
Determined to find Rio, Sakata tracks down her whereabouts and finally comes face-to-face with her. However, his worst fears come true—Rio does not recognize him.
Overwhelmed with fear, she hides from him, unwilling to accept that the man before her is her father. Before Sakata can reach her, an unknown man enters the room and attacks him.
In a shocking moment, Rio, believing Sakata to be a threat, uses her bow and arrow to shoot him in the chest, causing him to fall from a window. Though critically wounded, he survives once again.
His friend rescues and treats him, but before he can rest, he receives a final call from The Master, instructing him to come to a place called Mahoroba for a final confrontation.
The Final Battle: A Warrior’s Last Stand
At Mahoroba, Sakata wages a one-man war against The Master’s forces, taking down every masked man in his path. Despite his declining physical condition, he refuses to stop until he secures Rio’s safety.
In a climactic showdown, The Master prepares to execute Rio with his sword, wanting to push Sakata into complete despair. However, at the last moment, Rio regains her lost memories and realizes that Sakata is indeed her father.
As she escapes, he engages in his most grueling fight yet. During the battle, he kills one of The Master’s top men, only to discover that he was The Master’s twin brother.
Unfazed by his sibling’s death, The Master prepares for his final confrontation with Sakata. Despite sustaining severe injuries and even losing his left arm, he refuses to back down.
Summoning the last of his strength, he delivers the fatal blow, finally killing The Master and avenging his family.
A Tragic Ending and Rio’s Revenge
As the dust settles, Rio rushes to her father’s side. In a heartbreaking moment, Sakata succumbs to his wounds and dies in her arms, having finally secured her freedom and safety.
However, the story does not end there. While Rio is initially placed in an ambulance, she mysteriously disappears.
Meanwhile, The Master’s twin brother, who had been presumed dead, survives and takes over his deceased sibling’s role as the mayor and leader of the Kimen-gumi.
In the film’s final scene, Rio embraces her father’s legacy, tracking down the last remnant of the organization that destroyed her family. With precise aim, she fires an arrow, killing the imposter and ensuring that the cycle of revenge is complete.
Also read: Demon City: Summary and Ending Explained
