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Empire of Kids (1981)

Empire of Kids (1981)

Action Drama
Release Date: 1981, July 4
Directors: Kazuyuki Izutsu
Countries: Japan
Production: Art Theatre Guild, Art Theatre Guild, Play Guide Journal, Play Guide Journal
Cast: Jun Kunimura, Bang-ho Cho, Ryusuke Matsumoto, Shinsuke Shimada

Overview:

Following a stint in reform school, Ryu (Shinsuke Shimada) returns to his home, the Minami area of Osaka, accompanied by his new friend Ko (Takeshi Masu). He's greeted by his friends, Chabo (Ryusuke Matsumoto) and Ken (Bang-ho Cho). They seek to forge their own path through a multitude of rival gangs in Kita and Minami, including the Hokushin Alliance, backed by the yakuza, the Hope Association, and various other minor factions, including Zainichi Korean groups. What follows is a wild, fast-paced story of violence, revenge, betrayal, and discrimination, that never loses its sense of humor.

Keywords:

1960s osaka, japan shōwa era (1926-89) juvenile delinquency zainichi youth culture