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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 05 Nov 2021, 14:06
by HungFist
Even more DVD releases coming from Toei’s 70th Anniversary line-up. Feb. 9, 2022:

- Seven Fugitives (お尋ね者七人) (1966)
- The Turkish Bathhouses of Japan (札幌・横浜・雄琴・博多 トルコ渡り鳥) (1975)

https://www.toei-video.co.jp/special/toei70th-2nd/

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 27 Dec 2021, 19:46
by EvaUnit02
https://twitter.com/mediablasters1/stat ... 6232766469
Media Blasters recently announced Sukeban Deka (2006) for blu-ray release.

They've been busy over the last year or so, releasing a bunch of Japanese and Korean films.
https://www.rightstufanime.com/category ... RS?show=96

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 03 Jan 2022, 10:33
by HungFist
Tokyo Drifter 2: The Sea is Bright Red as the Color of Love (続東京流れ者 海は真っ赤な恋の色) (1966)
A surprisingly good sequel to the Seijun Suzuki classic. Nikkatsu’s youth film director Kenjiro Morinaga (of the excellent Youth a Go Go, 1966) takes helm and executes it as a more traditional Nikkatsu Mood Action. Watari plays the same character as in the original film. The opening sees him arriving in a harbour town, with a hitman on his tail. He’s come to meet an old buddy, and while waiting for him also crosses paths with local beauty Kazuko Tachibana, who likewise is waiting for someone. Watari is also offered shelter by old man Zenpei Saga, whose son is in trouble with bad guy Nobuo Kaneko and in love with cutie Chieko Matsubara. Watari of course chooses to get involved. This is a surprisingly entertaining film with 1st rate cinematography and art direction. The locale is particularly well captured. It is however missing Suzuki’s wilder pop art experimentation, and may not be what foreign audiences would expect from a Tokyo Drifter sequel. That is of course because Suzuki was something of an outlier in the genre, while this movie is a more traditional entry in the Nikkatsu Action line. It’s a shame none of the recent Blu-Ray releases of the Suzuki classic have bundled this with it.

This has been released on Japanese DVD by the budget label Office Y.K. about 10 years ago. I don't know how's the quality, but it could even be an old non-anamorphic print (they also put out many Roman Porno films, mostly old VHS masters with an occasional new HD master in between). The screencaps are from a 2021 Japanese TV broadcasting on Neco.

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 28 Apr 2022, 14:47
by HungFist
Toho is finally releasing some of their remaining Kiyoshi Nishimura films on DVD: the masterful thriller Too Young to Die (死ぬにはまだ早い) (1969), the socio-political actioner Attack on the Sun (白昼の襲撃) (1970) and the excellent Hong Kong set hitman action / romance Target of Roses (薔薇の標) (1972).

There are also re-releases of several other Toho New Action flicks, such as Sun Above, Death Below (狙撃) (1968), Bullet Wound (弾痕) (1969), The Creature Called Man( 豹(ジャガー)は走った) (1970) and Beast Hunt (野獣狩り」(1973).

All coming July 20, and priced at 2750 yen. Shame about no BDs, though.

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 03 Jul 2022, 04:21
by EvaUnit02
Blow out news from Anime Expo 2022:-
  • Macross Frontier and Delta BD boxsets coming from Nozomi Entertainment (Rightstufanime.com's production company). Assuming for the NA market only.
  • Macross Plus BD set coming from Anime Ltd for UK, Eur, US.
  • Macross II coming from AnimEigo.
I'm definitely keen on Frontier and Plus. I'll file M II under "maybe"

Hopefully we'll get news regarding releases of the OG SDF Macross series and Zero.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 12 Sep 2022, 15:07
by HungFist
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Tokyo, 1934. Gang boss Arakawa is too ill and a successor must be named. The choice falls on Nakai, but being an outsider he refuses and suggests senior clansman Matsuda instead. But Matsuda is in jail and the elders won’t wait for his release, so they appoint the younger and more malleable Ishido to take the reins. Clan honour and loyalties are severely tested when Matsuda is released, resulting in an increasingly violent internal strife. An atmospheric tale of gangland intrigue written by Kazuo Kasahara (Battles Without Honour and Humanity) and starring Tomisaburo Wakayama, (Lone Wolf and Cub, The Bounty Hunter Trilogy) and genre legend Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss is one of the all-time classics of the yakuza genre. Paul Schrader called it the richest and most complex film of its type, while novelist Yukio Mishima hailed it as a masterpiece. Radiance Films is proud to present this crucial re-discovery for the first time ever on Blu-ray.

Limited Edition Special Features:

High Definition digital transfer of the film
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Visual essay by genre expert Chris D on the film and its place within the period and genre (2022)
Ninkyo 101: A masterclass with Mark Schilling, author of The Yakuza Movie Book (2022)
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Stuart Galbraith IV, and critic Hayley Scanlon
Limited edition of 2000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings


- https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/product ... ng-boss-le

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 25 Oct 2022, 14:35
by HungFist

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 28 Oct 2022, 17:28
by HungFist
Radiance Films, who are releasing Big Time Gambling Boss (博奕打ち 総長賭博) (1968) in January, also have Yakuza Graveyard (やくざの墓場 くちなしの花) (1976) coming later in 2023 as revealed by their new trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyDfNN7r3PM

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 02 Nov 2022, 00:58
by Takeuchi_Yoko
Do you know if there is an eta for Yamashita's Big Time Gambling Boss?
Oh and did you read the book about Yamashita, 将軍と呼ばれた男?

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 02 Nov 2022, 04:15
by HungFist
Takeuchi_Yoko wrote: 02 Nov 2022, 00:58 Do you know if there is an eta for Yamashita's Big Time Gambling Boss?
Oh and did you read the book about Yamashita, 将軍と呼ばれた男?
Jan. 2, 2023.

No, I haven't read the book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 02 Nov 2022, 18:05
by Takeuchi_Yoko
Thank you \o/
Do you want the chapters/content list? (Received the book some days ago.)

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 03 Nov 2022, 10:06
by HungFist
Takeuchi_Yoko wrote: 02 Nov 2022, 18:05 Thank you \o/
Do you want the chapters/content list? (Received the book some days ago.)
Sure. Would be interesting to see what's in there.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 03 Nov 2022, 16:13
by Takeuchi_Yoko
That's a short one as it's essentially centered around Yamashita's interview :lol:

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 16 Feb 2023, 13:21
by HungFist
HungFist wrote: 28 Oct 2022, 17:28 Radiance Films, who are releasing Big Time Gambling Boss (博奕打ち 総長賭博) (1968) in January, also have Yakuza Graveyard (やくざの墓場 くちなしの花) (1976) coming later in 2023 as revealed by their new trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyDfNN7r3PM
Yakuza Graveyard

When he falls for the beautiful wife of the jailed boss of the Nishida gang, things start to spiral out of control for detective Kuroiwa (Tetsuya Watari, Graveyard of Honour). In a world where the line between police and organised crime is vague, he finds himself on the wrong side of a yakuza war when his superiors favour Nishida’s rivals, the Yamashiro gang. Co-starring the iconic Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood) and featuring Nagisa Oshima as chief of police, Yakuza Graveyard sees director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honour and Humanity) at the peak of his powers.

Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features:
-High-Definition digital transfer
-Original uncompressed mono PCM audio
-Appreciation by filmmaker Kazuya Shiraishi (2022, 15 mins)
-The Rage and the Passion - A visual essay by critic Tom Mes on Meiko Kaji and Kinji Fukasaku’s collaborations (2022, 12 mins)
-Gallery of promotional imagery
-Easter Egg
-Trailer
-Newly improved English subtitle translation
-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
-Limited edition 32-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mika Ko on the representations of Koreans in the yakuza film, and newly translated re-prints of a contemporary review and writing by screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara
-Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Also available in USA/Canada from our partners MVD, Diabolik and Grindhouse - links coming soon!

Year: 1976
Cert: 15
Format: Blu-ray
Region: AB
RAD002BDLE
EAN: 5060974680023
Release date: 15/05/23


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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 12 Jul 2023, 18:46
by 10vodkaredbull
HungFist wrote: 12 Sep 2022, 15:07 Image

Tokyo, 1934. Gang boss Arakawa is too ill and a successor must be named. The choice falls on Nakai, but being an outsider he refuses and suggests senior clansman Matsuda instead. But Matsuda is in jail and the elders won’t wait for his release, so they appoint the younger and more malleable Ishido to take the reins. Clan honour and loyalties are severely tested when Matsuda is released, resulting in an increasingly violent internal strife. An atmospheric tale of gangland intrigue written by Kazuo Kasahara (Battles Without Honour and Humanity) and starring Tomisaburo Wakayama, (Lone Wolf and Cub, The Bounty Hunter Trilogy) and genre legend Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss is one of the all-time classics of the yakuza genre. Paul Schrader called it the richest and most complex film of its type, while novelist Yukio Mishima hailed it as a masterpiece. Radiance Films is proud to present this crucial re-discovery for the first time ever on Blu-ray.


Is there a name for this overly earnest and shouty type of acting? Does my head in. Worse, when I saw the muted Sun Above Death Below just before.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 11 Aug 2023, 04:39
by HungFist
Film Movement, who recently released Hideo Gosha's Violent Streets and Samurai Wolf 1&2 on BD, have added a whole bunch of Toei films to their site.

- Red Peony Gambler 1 (緋牡丹博徒) (1968)
- Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler's Obligation (緋牡丹博徒 一宿一飯) (1968)
- Red Peony Gambler 3: Flower Cards Match (緋牡丹博徒 花札勝負) (1969)
- Violent Panic: The Big Crash (暴走パニック 大激突) (1976)
- Wolves, Pigs and Men (狼と豚と人間) (1964)

https://filmmovement.com/red-peony-gambler
https://filmmovement.com/red-peony-gamb ... obligation
https://filmmovement.com/press/film/red ... cards-game
https://filmmovement.com/violent-panic-the-big-crash
https://filmmovement.com/wolves-pigs-and-men

Hopefully all coming to BD at some point. I'd love to update my Toe DVDs. Violent Panic is one of the best car chase movies ever made anywhere! This film is absolutely insane! I've seen it a half dozen times, including once or twice in 35mm.

As for Wolves, Pigs and Men, Arrow had this before, but apparently didn't release it because they lacked good enough master. That however has now changed as Toei's new remaster premiered on TV last month.

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Really hoping the rest of the Red Peony Gamblers get picked up as well. Part 5 is my favourite yakuza film of all time, and one of my favourite films period.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 07 Dec 2023, 14:05
by HungFist
Received my Stray Cat Rock: Beat `71 (野良猫ロック 暴走集団'71’) t-shirt from Hardcore Chocolate and it's a beauty!
- https://core-choco.shop-pro.jp/?pid=172273810

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Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 01 Feb 2024, 14:13
by HungFist
I started a new thread called "Toei Genre Films (1960s-1980s) Available in HD but Not Released on BD/UHD" at BD.com forum in hopes that some distributors would take notice. It's incomplete and subjective, but I intend to keep on updating it every now and then.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=370696

I will copy the list here as well just in case (took a lot of work to compile it and I don't want it to go missing in case they have some server failure or something)

Pinky Violence and Eros (see a separate list for Yuji Makiguchi)

History of the Shogun’s Harem (徳川女系図) (1968). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Hot Springs Geisha series
- Hot Springs Massage Geisha (温泉あんま芸者) (1969). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Geisha 2 (Daring Girls) (温泉ポン引女中)(1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Devil-Tongue Geisha (温泉こんにゃく芸者) (1970). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Earthworm Geisha (温泉みみず芸者) (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike, Miki Sugimoto. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Turtle Geisha (温泉スッポン芸者) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Miki Sugimoto. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Three Little Geisha (温泉おさな芸者) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- G-String Geisha (東京ふんどし芸者) (1975). Sometimes considered part of the Hot Springs Geisha series. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Love and Crime (明治・大正・昭和 猟奇女犯罪史) (1969). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2019.
Sex and Life (謝国権「愛」より(秘) 性と生活) (1969). Dir. Ryuichi Takamori. HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2022
Shameless: Abnormal and Abusive Love (異常性愛記録 ハレンチ) (1969). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Girl Boss series
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Blossoming Night Dreams (ずべ公番長 夢は夜ひらく) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2024.
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Tokyo Drifters (ずべ公番長 東京流れ者) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
(the rest are likely on their way, probably premiering on Toei Channel May-June)
Sex Comedy, Quick on the Trigger (セックス喜劇 鼻血ブー) (1971). Silly sex comedy. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Modern Porno Tale: Inherited Sex Mania (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Girl Boss series
- Girl Boss Blues: Queen Bee’s Counter-attack (女番長ブルース 牝蜂の逆襲) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Queen Bee's Challenge (女番長ブルース 牝蜂の挑戦) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Apr. 2023.
- Girl Boss Guerilla (女番長ゲリラ) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel May. 2023.
- Girl Boss Revenge (女番長) (1973). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jun. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Escape from Reform School (女番長 感化院脱走) (1973). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jul. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Diamond Showdown (女番長 タイマン勝負) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Crazy Ball Game (女番長 玉突き遊び) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel Sep. 2023.
Tokugawa Sex Ban (徳川セックス禁止令 色情大名) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast Miki Sugimoto. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Terrifying Girls’ High School series
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Women’s Violent Classroom (恐怖女子高校 女暴力教室) (1972). Available in HD.
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lunch Law Classroom (恐怖女子高校 暴行リンチ教室) (1973). Available in HD.
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group (恐怖女子高校 不良悶絶グループ) (1973). Available in HD.
- Note: Part 4 has already been released on US BD by Discotek.
King of Porno - Red God of the Turkish Bath(ポルノの帝王 失神トルコ風呂) (1972). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Neon Jellyfish series
- A Flower in a Neon Jungle (ネオンくらげ) (1973). Dir Makoto Naito. Japanese DVD release touted as "HD Remaster" coming Apr. 2024.
- Neon Jellyfish: Shinjuku Flower Streetcar (ネオンくらげ 新宿花電車) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Japanese DVD release touted as "HD Remaster" coming Apr. 2024.
Wild Sex Gang (aka Hell Riders in Kyoto) (狂走セックス族) (1973). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight (ポルノ時代劇 忘八武士道) (1973). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2024.
Criminal Woman: Killing Melody (前科おんな 殺し節) (1973). Cast: Reiko Ike, Miki Sugimoto. Available in HD.
Journey to Japan (ポルノの女王 にっぽんSEX旅行) (1973). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Christina Lindberg. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Female Convict Yakuza (女囚やくざ) (1974). Cast: Reiko Ike. HD premiere on Toei Channel Oct. 2023.
Pimp Heaven (Kigeki: Tokudashi himo tengoku) (喜劇 特出しヒモ天国) (1975). Cast: Reiko Ike. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Turkish Bathhouses of Japan (札幌・横浜・名古屋・雄琴・博多 トルコ渡り鳥) (1975). Cast: Meika Seri. Doc with fictional frame story. HD on Toei Channel.
Story of a Nymphomaniac (好色元禄(秘)物語) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Noboru Ando’s Filthy Escape into Sex (安藤昇のわが逃亡とSEXの記録) (1976). Dir. Noboru Tanaka. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
New Female Prisoner Scorpion (新女囚さそり 701号) (1976). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
New Female Prisoner Scorpion: Special Cellblock X (新女囚さそり 特殊房X) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The General and His Empire of Joy (大奥浮世風呂) (1977). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2019.
Harry and His Geisha Girls (生贄の女たち) (1978). Cast: Harry Reems. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Dolls of the Shogun’s Harem (大奥十八景) (1986). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Majoran (魔女卵) (1984). HD master airing on Toei Channel.

Almost everything from here ought to be released! Particularly the Girl Boss series, for which Toei did brand new HD masters in 2023, and Dolls of the Shogun's Harem. The Onsen Geisha series has a hidden gem in form of part two, which starts out normal but then goes completely and violently insane, even bringing in Tatsumi Hijikata's butoh dancers.

Yuji Makiguchi

Shogun’s Sadism (徳川女刑罰絵巻 牛裂きの刑) (1976). Toei Channel HD Premiere Oct. 2022. Earlier German BD exists.
Virgin Breaker Yuki (玉割り人ゆき) (1975). HD premiere on Toei Channel Nov. 2022.
Virgin Breaker Yuki 2 (玉割り人ゆき 西の廓夕月楼) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel Dec. 2022.
Bizarre Crimes of Post-War Japan (戦後猟奇犯罪史) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Hiroshima Honour: Hostage Rescue Tactics (広島仁義 人質奪回作戦) (1976). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Torn Priestess aka Nuns that Bite (女獄門帖 引き裂かれた尼僧) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2023.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (毒婦お伝と首切り浅) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2023.

Toei recently did almost all of Makiguchi's films in HD. These should be ideal for a label into twisted cult eros and horror.

Female Ninjas and Ninja Eros

Female Ninja Magic (くノ一忍法) (1964). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Spying Sorceress (くノ一化粧) (1964). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Ninja Chushingura (忍法忠臣蔵) (1965). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2021
Ninja’s Mark aka The Secret of the Fylfot (忍びの卍) (1968). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2022

The first three films are considered a trilogy. Part one is probably the coolest female ninja film ever. Ninja’s Mark is a pretty cool Norifumi Suzuki ninja body snatcher exploitation film that anticipated Pinky Violence films.

Song of the Night series

Yanagase Blues (柳ヶ瀬ブルース) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Sakariba Blues (盛り場ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Even If I Die (夜の歌謡シリーズ 命かれても) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Isezaki District Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ 伊勢佐木町ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Nagasaki Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ 長崎ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Harbour Town Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ 港町ブルース) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Villain Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ 悪党ブルース) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Woman (夜の歌謡シリーズ おんな) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Street Woman (夜の歌謡シリーズ 女のみち) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Tearful Love (夜の歌謡シリーズ なみだ恋) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Blood Stained Love Affair (夜の演歌 しのび恋) (1974). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

These films represent a major though internationally uknown genre of Japanese cinema: nocturnal dramas set in the night life and red light districts (Nikkatsu made loads of these also). Most aren't particularly great, but Song of the Night: Woman is great!

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi and Yasuaki Kurata Action

Memoir of Japanese Assassins (日本暗殺秘録) (1969). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Deka series
- Yakuza Deka (やくざ刑事) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: The Assassin (やくざ刑事 マリファナ密売組織) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: Poison Gas Affair (やくざ刑事 恐怖の毒ガス) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: No Epitaphs for Us (やくざ刑事 俺たちに墓はない) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Narcotics / Prostitution G-Men (A Narcotics Agent’s Ballad) (麻薬売春Gメン) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Narcotics / Prostitution G-Men: Terrifying Flesh Hell (麻薬売春Gメン 恐怖の肉地獄) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Tokyo Seoul Bangkok Drug Triangle (東京=ソウル=バンコック 実録麻薬地帯) (1973). Cast: Chiba, Nora Miao. HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb 2021.
Modern Witch Tale: Murderous Love (現代鬼婆考 殺愛) (1973). Manga: Kazuo Koike. Cast: Chiba, Shihomi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2019.
Karate Bullfighter (けんか空手 極真拳) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Karate Bearfighter (けんか空手 極真無頼拳) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Great Chase (華麗なる追跡) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Which is Stronger: Karate or the Tiger (武闘拳 猛虎激殺!) (1976). NEW HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Dragon Princess (必殺女拳士) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2020.
Jail Breakers (脱走遊戯) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (柳生一族の陰謀) [TV series] (1978-1979). Airing in HD on Jidaigeki Channel.
Roaring Fire (吼えろ鉄拳) (1981). Superb HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yagyu abaretabi (柳生あばれ旅) (1980-1981) [TV Series]. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Adventurer Kamikaze (冒険者カミカゼ) (1981). Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
Shadow Warriors I-V 影の軍団 (TV series) (1981-1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yagyu Jubei abaretabi (柳生十兵衛あばれ旅) (1982-1983) [TV Series]. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy (コータローまかりとおる!) (1984). HD master airing on Toei Channel.

The two Narcotics/Prostitution and Tokyo-Seoul are considered a loosely linked trilogy. The first film is one of the best Sonny Chiba films ever and one the best 70s crime films IMO. The third movie co-stars Nora Miao.

Modern Witch Tale is an awesome and totally insane 45 min TV film based on a Kazuo Koike manga, starring Chiba as a 300 year old witch working as an assassin with karate expert little sister Etsuko Shihomi. Perfect if coupled with a feature film.

And why is Roaring Fire not on BD? One of the best Japanese action films ever, with a terrific HD master too. 80s Jackie Chan fans out to love this!

Jitsuroku and Jitsuroku Style Yakuza (see separate lists for Fukasaku and Sato)

A Modern Yakuza: The Code of The Lawless (現代やくざ 与太者の掟) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Humanity and Justice of the Outlaw (現代やくざ 与太者仁義) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Broken Code (現代やくざ 盃返します) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Three Cherry Blossom Blood Brothers (現代やくざ 血桜三兄弟) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza vs. G-Men: Decoy (やくざ対Gメン 囮) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Aesthetics of a Bullet (鉄砲玉の美学) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of Hishakaku: A Wolf's Honor and Humanity (実録・飛車角 狼どもの仁義) (1973) Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Third Generation Yamaguchi Gang (山口組三代目) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
True Story of the Yamaguchi Gang - Life and Death Operations on Kyushu aka Tattoeed Hitman (山口組外伝 九州進攻作戦) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Escaped Murderer from Hiroshima Prison aka The Rapacious Jailbreaker (脱獄広島殺人囚) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Prison Island Riot (暴動島根刑務所) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Robbery, Arson, and Killer Convicts (強盗放火殺人囚) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The Violent Money Network (Company Buggers) (暴力金脈) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the 300 000 000 Yen Case - Statute of Limitations (実録三億円事件 時効成立) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Impact: Prostitution Capital (衝撃!売春都市) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The International Gang of Kobe (神戸国際ギャング) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Authentic True Account: Osaka Shock Tactics (実録外伝 大阪電撃作戦) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Hiroshima Honour: Hostage Rescue Tactics (広島仁義 人質奪回作戦) (1976). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Honor of Japan (日本の仁義) (1977). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather (Japan’s Don) (日本の首領) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather: Ambition (日本の首領 野望篇) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion(日本の首領 完結篇) (1978). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Battles without Honor and Humanity: Aftermath (その後の仁義なき戦い) (1979). Dir. Eiichi Kudo. Available on Toei BD.

Tons of cool films here, with the ultra-stylish Yakuza vs. G-Men: Decoy being my top pick. Sadao Nakajima has lots of great ones too, like Escaped Murderer from Hiroshima Prison and Authentic True Account: Osaka Shock Tactics

Junya Sato Yakuza Films

Organized Crime (組織暴力) (1967). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Organized Crime 2 (続組織暴力) (1967). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Organized Crime 3 - Loyalty Offering Brothers (組織暴力 兄弟盃) (1969). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Gambler: Counter-Attack (博徒斬り込み隊) (1971). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Skirmishes(やくざと抗争) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza and Feuds: True Account of the Ando Gang (やくざと抗争 実録安藤組) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the Ando Gang - Story of the Attack (実録安藤組 襲撃篇) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the Ginza Tortures (A True Story of the Private Ginza Police) (実録・私設銀座警察) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Account of the Ando Gang: Killer Younger Brother (Violent Fraternity) (1974) (安藤組外伝 人斬り舎弟). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.

Underappreciated master Sato needs BD releases. Organized Crime 2 is IMO the best proto-jitsuroku style film of the 60s, and True Account of the Ando Gang - Story of the Attack is one of the best undiscovered true account yakuza films!

Kinji Fukasaku

Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley (風来坊探偵 赤い谷の惨劇) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Drifting Detective: Black Wind in Harbor (風来坊探偵 岬を渡る黒い風 ) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Man with the Funky Hat (ファンキーハットの快男児) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Man with a Funky Hat: The 20,000,000 Yen Arm (ファンキーハットの快男児 2千万円の腕) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
High Noon for Gangsters (aka Greed in Broad Daylight) (白昼の無頼漢) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Proud Challenge (誇り高き挑戦) (1962). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
League of Gangsters (ギャング同盟) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gang vs. G-Men (ギャング対Gメン) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Jakoman and Tetsu (ジャコ萬と鉄) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Kamikaze Guy (カミカゼ野郎 真昼の決斗) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but poor master. Colours fluctuate badly.
Rampaging Dragon of the North (北海の暴れ竜) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Threat (脅迫(おどし)) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Ceremony of Disbanding (解散式) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gamblers' Ceremony of Disbanding (博徒解散式) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japan Organized Crime Boss (日本暴力団 組長) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. 4K master also available.
Bloodstained Clan Of Honor (血染の代紋) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Sympathy for the Underdog (博徒外人部隊 ) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers (人斬り与太 狂犬三兄弟) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Gambling Den Heist (資金源強奪) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Hokuriku Proxy War (北陸代理戦争) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Gate of Youth (青春の門) (1981). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Theater Of Life (人生劇場) (1983). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
House on Fire (火宅の人) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Chaos of Flowers (華の乱) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Lots of cool films here. Gambling Den Heist needs a BD asap! The Threat is probably Fukasaku's best film of the 60s, though High Noon for Gangsters is a real gem as well. League of Gangsters and Gang vs. G-Men are ultra-cool 60s crime pop cinema.

70s Action and Crime

Japan’s Violent Gangs series
- Japan’s Violent Gangs (Japan Organized Crime Boss) (日本暴力団 組長) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan’s Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers (日本暴力団 組長と刺客) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan’s Violent Gangs: Degenerate Boss (日本暴力団 組長くずれ) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan's Violent Gangs: Loyalty Offering Murder (日本暴力団 殺しの盃) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Killer’s Hit List (殺し屋人別帳) (1970)
Prisoners' Black List (監獄人別帳) (1970)
Thugs of Shinjuku (新宿の与太者) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: this is sometimes considered part of the Modern Yakuza series.
Viper Brothers series
- The Viper Brothers (懲役太郎 まむしの兄弟) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2023.
- The Viper Brothers Rage Again (まむしの兄弟 お礼参り) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 3: Prison Gang 13 (まむしの兄弟 懲役十三回) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 4: The Young Hoodlum (まむしの兄弟 傷害恐喝十八犯) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2024.
The Viper Brothers 5: Jail - Living for 4 1/2 Years (まむしの兄弟 刑務所暮し四年半) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Apr. 2024.
(note: the rest of the series is likely on their way)
Story of Japanese Bad Men (日本悪人伝) (1971). Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Story of Japanese Bad Men: Travelling Companions to Hell (日本悪人伝 地獄の道づれ) (1972). Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Street (不良街) (1972). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Three Lakes Prison: Widespread Brutality (三池監獄 兇悪犯) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Yokosuka Navy Prison (海軍横須賀刑務所) (1973). Cast: Shintaro Katsu. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
Lion Enforcer (唐獅子警察) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Rugby Yaro (ラグビー野郎) (1976). Cast: Jiro Chiba, Sonny in a cameo role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Great Jailbreak (大脱獄) (1975). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Cast: Takakura, Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
The Classroom of Terror (暴力教室) (1976). Cast: Yusaku Matsuda. Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Crazed Beast aka A Savage Beast Goes Mad (狂った野獣) (1976). Dated HD master airing on Toei Channel
Gambling Code and Feuds (仁義と抗争) (1977). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Shinjuku’s Number One Drunk-Killer Tetsu (新宿酔いどれ番地 人斬り鉄) (1977)
Winter's Flower (冬の華) (1978). HD master airing on Toei Channel. 4K master also available.
The Young Animals (皮ジャン反抗族) (1978). Dir. Yasuharu Hasebe. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tarao Bannai series
- Tarao Bannai (多羅尾伴内) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
- The Tragedy in the Devil-Mask Village (多羅尾伴内 鬼面村の惨劇) (1978). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
No Grave for Us (俺達に墓はない) (1979). Cast. Yusaku Matsuda. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Crazed Beast would make a nice companion for Fukasaku's insane car chase film Violent Panic: The Big Crash. Winter's Flower's is a cool later era Takakura film. The Viper Brothers series seems to be on its way. Part 1 and part 6 (The Viper Brothers: The Blackmailers, by Norifumi Suzuki) at least should please any Toei fan.

60s Action and Crime (highly incomplete list)

Metropolitan Police Department Story 1-24 (警視庁物語) (1956-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Angel (ずべ公天使) (1960). Cool film and likely Toei’s first girl gang film. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
White Powder Terror (白い粉の恐怖) (1960). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Flower, the Storm, and the Gang (花と嵐とギャング) (1961). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Love, the Sun and the Gang (恋と太陽とギャング) (1962). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Life of Blackmail (A Life of Intimidation) (わが恐喝の人生) (1963). Cast. Hiroki Matsukata, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Loyal 47 Gangsters (ギャング忠臣蔵) (1963). Two part Chushingura adaptation. Part 2 was never filmed. Chiba in minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
An Outlaw (ならず者) (1964). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang (東京ギャング対香港ギャング) (1964). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Desperate aka Mud Dog (どろ犬) (1964). Aired in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel.
Detective (刑事) (="Deka". Incorrectly referred as "Keiji")(1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Boss (顔役) (1965). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Meiji Underworld - Yakuza G-Men (Yakuza G-Men) (明治暗黒街) (1965). Dir. Eichi Kudo. Cast: Hiroki Matsukata, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Hooligans (893 愚連隊) (1966). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Drifting Avenger (荒野の渡世人) (1968). JP western filmed in Australia. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Just a quick shout out to the classic Metropolitan Police Department Story series, a predecessor to Toei's jitsuroku films, scripted by a former Tokyo police coroner. Parts 15&16 (Sonny Chiba's first ever film roles) and 21 (just a damn good film) are particularly notewothy IMO.

Two little seen gems of Japanese noir very worthy of a release: White Powder Terror and The Desperate, the former following a group of undercover narcotics cops in the metropolitan night, and the latter about a dirty cop desperately trying to stay one step ahead of his suspecting colleagues.

Truck Yaro

Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me (トラック野郎 御意見無用) (1975). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals II: Ichibanboshi Runs Wild (トラック野郎 爆走一番星) (1975). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals III: Homesick Ichibanboshi (トラック野郎 望郷一番星) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals IV: Fully Licensed (トラック野郎 天下御免) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals V: Ichibanboshi the Brave (トラック野郎 度胸一番星) (1977). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Sonny Chiba. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VI: Momojiro, The One and Only (トラック野郎 男一匹桃次郎) (1977). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Tomisaburo Wakayama. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VII: Close Encounters of the First Star (トラック野郎 突撃一番星) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VIII: Ichibanboshi Returns North (トラック野郎 一番星北へ帰る) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals IX: A 5,000 Kilometer Blast (トラック野郎 熱風5000キロ) (1979). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals X: Hometown Express (トラック野郎 故郷特急便) (1979). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.

One Toei's most popular movie franchises ever and Norifumi Suzuki's most beloved work, this action/comedy/drama series full of touching drama, low-brow comedy, high octane truck chases, and boobs, remains criminally unknown outside of Japan. Sonny Chiba and Tomisaburo Wakayama star as rival truck drivers in parts 5 and 6.

Comic Book Action

Sukeban Deka
- Sukeban Deka (TV series) (スケバン刑事) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Series 2&3 not in HD.
- Sukeban Deka: The Movie スケバン刑事 (1987). Available on Toei BD.
- Sukeban Deka the Movie 2 (スケバン刑事 風間三姉妹の逆襲) (1988). Available on Toei BD.
Big Magnum Kuroiwa (ビッグ・マグナム黒岩先生) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 2 (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎哀歌) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 3: A Delinquent Student March (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎行進曲) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 4: A Dunce Rhapsody (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎狂騒曲) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School Pt. 5 (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎音頭) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 6: The Power (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎完結篇) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

80s Action and Crime

The Young Ramblers (Taiyo no kizuato) (太陽のきずあと) (1981). Dir. Chusei Sone. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yokohama BJ Blues (ヨコハマBJブルース) (1981). Cast: Yusaku Matsuda. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
The Shinjuku Love Story (新宿純愛物語) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Hideo Gosha

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn (丹下左膳 飛燕居合斬り) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather (鬼龍院花子の生涯) (1982). Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel.
The Geisha (陽暉楼) (1983). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Fireflies in the North (北の螢) (1984). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Oar (櫂) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Wives of the Yakuza (極道の妻たち) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tokyo Bordello (吉原炎上) (1987)

Ninkyo Yakuza (very incomplete list)

Theater of Life 1-3 (人生劇場) (1963-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 1-4 (次郎長三国志‎) (1963-1965). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man’s Pledge (八州遊侠伝 男の盃) (1963). Cast: Chiezo Kataoka, Sonny Chiba in a minor rolr. Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel. 4K available.
Dragon's Life (Two Lives, Two Yakuza) (竜虎一代) (1964). Cast: Koji Tsuruta, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tales of Japanese Chivalry 1-11 (1964-1971). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Abashiri Prison 1-18 (網走番外地) (1965-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
Brutal Tales of Chivalry 1-9 (昭和残侠伝) (1965-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1. Part 1 released on UD BD.
Honor Among Brothers 1-9 (兄弟仁義) (1965-1971). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Blood of Revenge (明治侠客伝 三代目襲名) (1965). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available.
Continental Drifter (大陸流れ者) (1966). Ninkyo movie filmed in Hong Kong. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Expelled by a Man’s Rivals (Tears of Banishment) (男涙の波門状) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Flower Cards Chivalry (花札渡世) (1967). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2020.
Gambling Den 1-11 (博奕打ち) (1967-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Part 4 released by Radiance.
Rogue (ごろつき) (1968). Cast: Takakura, Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Histories of the Chivalrous (侠客列伝) (1968). Cast: Takakura, Wakayama, Tsuruta, Fuji. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Theater of Life: Hishakaku and Kiratsune (人生劇場 飛車角と吉良常) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gokudō / Scoundrel 1-11 (極道) (1968-1974). Star: Tomisaburo Wakayama. All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Red Peony Gambler 1-8 (緋牡丹博徒) (1968-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K masters available for parts 1 and 3. Part 1-3 coming from Film Movement.
Tales of Japan’s Chivalrous Women 1-5 (日本女侠伝) (1969-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
Brothers Serving Time (懲役三兄弟) (1969): Cast: Takakura, Sugawara, Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Woman Boss: Chivalrous Fight (女親分 喧嘩渡世) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kanto Street Peddlers (関東テキヤ一家) (1969). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel. 4 sequels not in HD.
House of Gamblers (博徒一家) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Biography of a Chivalrous Man (遊侠列伝) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Rise and Fall of Chivalry (任侠興亡史 組長と代貸) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Chivalrous Woman 1-2 (女渡世人) (1971). Both airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
A Scarred Life (傷だらけの人生) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Scarred Life 2: Blood Will Tell (傷だらけの人生 古い奴でござんす) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Showa Woman Gambler (昭和おんな博徒) (1972). Dir. Tai Kato. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.


Now that Radiance has released Big Time Gambling Boss, the world needs more ninkyo. Theater of Life (1963) is a masterwork and the film that started it all. Red Peony Gambler 5 is my personal favourite yakuza film of all time. And Flower Cards Chivalry is a divine masterpice, basically the Ashes of Time of ninkyo films which mid 90s Wong Kar Wai would have made had he found a time portal to 60s Japan.

War / Military

Listen to the Voices of the Sea (日本戦歿学生の手記 きけ、わだつみの声) (1950). 4K remaster airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Escape (二・二六事件 脱出) (1962). Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
South Pacific Waves Are High (南太平洋波高し) (1962). Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Mid-August Commotion (八月十五日の動乱) (1962). Cast: Koji Tsuruta, Sonny Chiba in minor a role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Navy (海軍) (1963). Cast: Kinya Kitaoji, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Diaries of the Kamikaze (Classmates) (あゝ同期の桜) (1967). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Takakura, Tsuruta, Chiba, Matsukata. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Last Kamikaze (最後の特攻隊) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Father of the Kamikaze (あゝ決戦航空隊) (1974). Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel. 4K master available.

Drama / Musical

Four Sisters (山麓) (1962). Cast: Yoshiko Mita, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A House in the Quarter (五番町夕霧楼) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Let’s Dance Bon-Odori in Hawaii (夢のハワイで盆踊り) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Here Because of You (君たちがいて僕がいた) (1964). Cast: Kazuo Funaki, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Dash to the Sun (太陽に突っ走れ) (1966). Cast: Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Four Seasons: Natsuko (四季・奈津子) (1980). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Samurai, Ninja, Jidaigeki (crazy incomplete list)

Wind, Woman and Road (風と女と旅鴉) (1958). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Yagyu Chronicles 1-9 (柳生武芸帳) (1961-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Musashi Miyamoto series (宮本武蔵) (1961-1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Tale of Oiwa’s Ghost (怪談 お岩の亡霊) (1961). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
In Search of Mother (瞼の母) (1962). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (武士道残酷物語) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. 4K available.
Castle of Owls (忍者秘帖 梟の城) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Warrior of the Wind (風の武士) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
13 Assassins (十三人の刺客) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Brave Records of the Sanada Clan (Sasuke and His Comedians) (真田風雲録 ) (1963). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Great Killing (大殺陣) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Shogun’s Vault (御金蔵破り) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Seventeen Ninja 2: The Great Battle (十七人の忍者 大血戦) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Legends of the Poisonous Seductress series
- Female Demon Ohyaku (妖艶毒婦伝 般若のお百) (1968). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro (木枯し紋次郎) (1972). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kogarashi Monjiro 2: Secret of Monjiro’s Birth (木枯し紋次郎 関わりござんせん) (1972). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Shogun Assassins (真田幸村の謀略) (1979). Sadao Nakajima film, not the Lone Wolf movie. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Shadow Warriors: Hattori Hanzo (影の軍団 服部半蔵) (1980). Eiichi Kudo film, not the Chiba TV series. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Tokusatsu
World War III Breaks Out (第三次世界大戦 四十一時間の恐怖) (1960). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Others
Pretty Devil Yoko (非行少女ヨーコ) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Boss series
- Delinquent Boss (不良番長) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Delinquent Boss: Ocho the She-Wolf (不良番長 猪の鹿お蝶) (1969). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Note: the remaining 15 sequels are likely available in HD. I'm working on confirming it.

updated Marc 3, 2024

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 03 Feb 2024, 15:27
by Guro Taku
Thanks for taking on this huge task. Hopefully it will get some attention from those making acquisitions at certain labels.
Yuji Makiguchi

Shogun’s Sadism (徳川女刑罰絵巻 牛裂きの刑) (1976). Toei Channel HD Premiere Oct. 2022. Earlier German BD exists.
Virgin Breaker Yuki (玉割り人ゆき) (1975). HD premiere on Toei Channel Nov. 2022.
Virgin Breaker Yuki 2 (玉割り人ゆき 西の廓夕月楼) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel Dec. 2022.
Bizarre Crimes of Post-War Japan (戦後猟奇犯罪史) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Torn Priestess aka Nuns that Bite (女獄門帖 引き裂かれた尼僧) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2023.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (毒婦お伝と首切り浅) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2023.

Toei recently did almost all of Makiguchi's films in HD. These should be ideal for a label into twisted cult eros and horror.
This one is an especially frustrating head-scratcher. I'd have expected at least Shogun's Sadism and Nuns That Bite from a label like Mondo Macabro (or Arrow before they went mainstream) by now. These days, Discotek might also be up for it but their Toei releases appear to be completely random with sequels being released before originals, for example.

I take it his superlative proto-heroic bloodshed epic 広島仁義 人質奪回作戦 (1976) didn't yet get the HD treatment? I'd have guessed the 2017 DVD release would have been based on a HD scan.
Lakes Prison: Widespread Brutality (三池監獄 兇悪犯) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel
This should probably say Three Lakes Prison.

Re: Japanese cult cinema thread

Posted: 04 Feb 2024, 11:55
by HungFist
Guro Taku wrote: 03 Feb 2024, 15:27 Thanks for taking on this huge task. Hopefully it will get some attention from those making acquisitions at certain labels.
Thanks.
Guro Taku wrote: 03 Feb 2024, 15:27 This one is an especially frustrating head-scratcher. I'd have expected at least Shogun's Sadism and Nuns That Bite from a label like Mondo Macabro
Jared from Mondo said he had actually asked about Nuns from Toei about a year ago, but they didn't have it in HD back then. I've informed him about the new HD master.
Guro Taku wrote: 03 Feb 2024, 15:27I take it his superlative proto-heroic bloodshed epic 広島仁義 人質奪回作戦 (1976) didn't yet get the HD treatment? I'd have guessed the 2017 DVD release would have been based on a HD scan.
Very much possible. It has not been on Toei Channel in recent years, however, hence I haven't been able to confirm whether Toei has it in HD or not. I'm sure there are many film missing from my list just because I'm not aware of an existing HD master.
Guro Taku wrote: 03 Feb 2024, 15:27 This should probably say Three Lakes Prison.
Hah, true. Copy-paste error. Thanks.