Ryuhei Kitamura's (Versus, Azumi) film was produced as a part of a cinematic duel between him and director Yukihiko Tsutsumi. Aside from the theme given to both films, which is "duel," it also shares some structural similarities with the rivaling director's film. Aragami is a supernatural Jidaigeki (period action film) about a warrior demon - the title character, Aragami - who wishes to end his own seemingly invincible existence with a battle against a worthy opponent. Enter two fatally wounded samurai warriors, one of whom is given quasi immortality so that he can fight against th feared Aragami. (See Yukihiko Tsutsumi's "2LDK": GNBD-1016)