Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture (SAMURAI SPIRITS 〜破天降魔の章〜) is a Japanese animated television special based upon the 1993 SNK video game Samurai Shodown. It was released by SNK in association with Fuji TV and NAS and animated by both Studio Comet and Studio Gazelle, Co., Ltd..
An unrelated 2-episode OVA based on the same series was later released based on Samurai Spirits 2: Asura Zanmaden, which has never been adapted into English.
Story
During a bloody war in the Warring States period of Japan, an earthquake erupts and six respective warriors around the globe take heed of the events. As the dark god, Ambrosia, is resurrected, the battlefield is set ablaze. In the ashes, Haohmaru searches for the traitor, Shiro Tokisada Amakusa. He is upset that she betrayed her vows as one of the "Holy Warriors", destined fighters who keep the seal over Ambrosia from being broken. Though she tempts him to join her, Haohmaru resists and is eventually backed up by the remaining Holy Warriors: Charlotte, Wan-fu, Nakoruru, Tam Tam, and Galford. Their assault is halted when Amakusa effortlessly defeats them and burns them alive. Though their bodies die, she is unable to destroy their souls.
A hundred years pass and Amakusa has manipulated the shogunate to serve her so she can raise her army of Jashin soldiers and Ambrosia unharmed. Well informed of the Holy Warriors' presences, she issues a private manhunt for them, hoping to kill them off before they can fully assemble. Her actions raise the suspicions of Hanzo Hattori, Jubei Yagyu, and Kyoshiro Senryo; all three plot to overthrow Amakusa's reign of tyranny though lack the manpower to do so.