The Hakkenden is based on a huge Japanese epic, formally novelised in the 19th century but pre-dating this by many centuries in other forms. During the feudal wars in Japan the Awai clan face extinction from a rival clan backed by demonic forces. In despair, the head of the clan jokingly tells the family dog that he could have his daughter's hand in marriage if he brought him the head of his enemy. Which the dog does. This brings a curse upon the family, but the daughter honours the vow, and retreats into the wilderness with her husband. They are both murdered, but their unborn union reincarnate as eight pups who become Dog Warriors - The Hakkenden. The eight reincarnate souls travel their separate ways of violence and retribution, but slowly join together as a group representing the eight virtues of The Bushido, to slay the demon and redeem their clan. The resulting 13 episode OAV is filled with heavy visual symbolism.