Reviews (17)

The artistic dance of death
What a find! This is the kind of samurai movie that I've been searching for! This film is a samurai bloodfest along with bits of black comedy and some beautifully poetic scenery. The story of a self-proclaimed "evil" man and child. Even though it is obvious the "Lone Wolf" loves his "cub" even over his thoughts of revenge. The "Wolfs" fighting abilities are absolutely jaw-dropping, and will have you reaching for your slow-motion control button. Yeah, the bood fountains are a little over the top, but I believe it conveys the actual horror of being sliced and/or diced up with any assortment of weapons. I really can appreciate Ogamis (Wolfs) superb swordsmanship and especially like the little flourish he does with his katana before he sheathes it. Samurai buffs: this series is the answer to your dreams.

Best of The Samurai Flicks
Based on a classice Japanese comic of over 7000 pages, Lone Wolf and Cub is an essential Samurai film series. In America it achieves at best a matinee status. The International Channel once aired the entire series- A huge Japanese franchise of nine films- in the format seen here to lackluster success. The story is simple: The shogun's private executioner, Itto Ogami, enjoys a post envied by all of his retainers. One night the assassin clan destroys all of the Ogami clan save Itto and his infant son, Daigoro. The father and son both swear revenge, following the assassin's road to hell. What happens after is a long list of assassin's campaigns highlighting the background of this period of Japan's history, known as the Meiji era, right before the fall of the feudal system. The films are simplified, but contain all the striking elements of the comic. The action is straight from the best exploitation films of this era; bloody and to the point. For those who have only sampled modern films like Kill Bill, this will really satisfy the jones for blood and lightning fast samurai action. THis DVD is a must own!

freaky fountains of blood!
If you only buy one Samurai-action slash-fest blood-gushing film this year, this is the one to get. My favorite in the Lone Wolf series- I first saw it years ago in S.F. on poor quality VHS- It's wonderful to see it released on DVD! It has the prerequisite quick editing, tension, action, and wanton severing of limbs, i.e. the fantastic opening battle with the wicker-masked assassins. I especially like the 1970's style photography and psychedelic effects- i.e. when the female ninja team is trying to freak out our hero with their swirling colored fabric. See where Tarantino got his ideas from!

Dan's review
Baby cart at the river styx is the second installment of the baby cart series,and is landmark film making at it's best.The realistic ballets of violence set the tone for an almost artistic angle for the film.Lone wolf proceeds to roam around with his son(Diagoro)in a baby cart,while slashing his way through enemies that attack him,and also collecting payments for requested killings.He comes up against three body gaurds that happen to be brothers,'The god's of death',and follows them into the desert for the last showdown of the movie,awsome!

Lone Wolf or Lone Wuf?
No biggie just the Best Samurai Flick of all Times.Edging out my 'Main Man' Zatoichi. Animingo good job except the Master of Death had a Nailed Fist. A MAILED FIST was pre Postal then and not of any threat. Also the Gasp by Lone Wolf after he encounters the Lead Ninja Woman Seemed out of charater and not Audible on any previous tapes.Is that dubbed? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awesome
This film may be my favorite of the whole series. This film features such an accurate representation of issue #23 of LW&C: performers, and the story itself is very moving. O-Yuki is a very sympathetic character that whose quest for revenge is even more admirable than Itto's as she was not only disgraced but violated as a woman. (...) The ending battle scene is also magnificent. (...) While the battle is not as visceral as the one in the previous entry or part 6, this film's battle is still quite magnificent. As I said before, this is my favorite film in the whole series though all of them feature spectacular amounts of bloodshed.

Beware Topless Assassins!
This 4th in the Series, brought to you by the folks that let you know sword fighting was a messy and WET business, begins with a lovely young woman, topless and tatooed, slicing up some men in tip-top fashion. Our hero, the implacable and stone-faced Ogami Itto, former Shogun Executioner presently master ronin assassin, will be hired to dispatch the young lady to the next world.

This entry is the first not directed by Kenji Mishimi, and is told a little more elliptically with many flashbacks that fill in more detail on the backstory of the Yagyu Clan's enmity toward Ogami Itto that lead them to murder his wife and set him and his young son on the road as "demons at the crossroads of Hell". Lord Retsudo, Itto's arch enemy, reappears and there is much clan intrigue and skull-duggery going on.

There is still plenty of fighting and bloody mayhem, a fight in a temple has Ninja arms and legs being lopped off willy-nilly left and right. There is a lot of spraying blood, but there is also the same attention to period detail and the explanation of customs & codes of this long ago civilization, helped by great Liner Notes & Subtitles.

It all climaxes with a hellacious fight with Ogami wiping out another army of opponents, but this time by using the terrain of gullies and ravines to his advantage. He ends the fight by taking Retsudo's eye but is badly wounded himself in the process. But, of course, he will live to fight another day.

Graphic & fantastic, serious and silly, the Lone Wolf & Cub series is a kick if you've a mind for it.

One of the best
This is another in a series of Lone Wolf and Cub I have seen. I was first introduced to this series by watching Shogun Assasin. This one had a very good plot and allowed us to see more of the personality of the Cub. The fight scenes were excellent. The only one that was not up to par of all the ones that I have seen is the scene in the temple where you couldn't see clearly what was going on but know that this was realism as it would have happened that way. I have almost completed my collection of all six in the series and look forward to the last two.

Great, Superior, Samurai
The third of six Lone Wolf and Cub movies. From the opening scene in wich a topless, tatooed woman takes out a group of roughnecks with sword flashing ease, you cant help but be hooked. Consistent with the series trademarks, many fight scenes, lots of heads, arms, and legs roll, and, the obligatory, fountains of blood. Never drags. Big fight climax with Ogami Ito unleashing the baby cart full of weapons and then taking on an army. The best fight sequence though, has him against ninjas, in almost total darkness- all you see is limbs being lobbed off and ninjas hitting the floor. GREAT!

The person below mentions "Shogun Assasin", wich was released back in the 80's. It was basically the first two Lone Wolf and Cub movies horribly edited together(with some gore cut out of the fights) to make one movie.

This is a great traditional samurai flic! Bizzare...
I seen this movie when it first came out. But when it did it was titled " SHOGUN ASSASSIN " Does anybody remember that. Please reply. This was/and is a mind blowing movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Child and expertise for rent," reads the banner flying from the wooden cart of rogue samurai Itto Ogami (Tomisaburo Wakayama). With his infant son and a baby carriage stocked with a veritable arsenal in tow, Ogami rents his services for 500 pieces of gold while awaiting his revenge on the corrupt clan that murdered his wife. Director Kenji Misumi draws his distinctive graphic style from the legendary manga series written by Kazuo Koike (who adapted his own work for the screen) and adds an inspired cinematic device: when Ogami enters battle, the world falls silent, literally, until his sword strikes. The fights are savage--blades slash, limbs fly, and blood spurts like geysers--yet the film relaxes in moments of serenity and tenderness as the cooing baby boy marvels at the wonder of the world. An essential of Japanese action cinema, it launched a classic six-film series. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Fun movie, faithful to the manga
What a great, great movie. I've been getting back into samurai flicks after a long hiatus. I wanted to see this after having seen Kill Bill v.1 -- you can see the influence after watching Lone Wolf and Cub -- and boy, this movie and its vol. 2 sequel (baby cart on river styx) -- great!

Clean picture, clean sounds. This is an awesome DVD. I also read the manga before the DVD and can say: it is very faithful to the manga, doing a wonderful job of bringing the Kojima's artwork to the screen. Readers of Dark Horse's manga series, vol. 1 will recognize the care taken to adapt the manga.

I showed this film to a bunch of friends and they hooted and hollered. Great fun.

The film is excellent, the DVD transfer is...brilliant!
The DVD transfer is trash? Um, yeah...For everyone who owns an old VHS copy of the film, throw it out the window and purchase this version. The movie has NEVER looked and sounded better than it has on this brillant DVD transfer. You can't tell the film was made over 30 years ago. Animeigo did a great job restoring the film. The sound is great, the colors are vibrant, the subtitles are improved and easier to read; complaints do not apply here. You also get trailers for other LWC films and some Zatoichi films. And the liner notes are very long, but informative. You'll learn a lot about the setting of this film from the liner notes.

Lone wolf and cub fans need not hesitate to pick this one up. If you've never seen the series before, you're in for a treat. Any lover of samurai films, gorehounds (blood shoots out geyser style), or if you just want to see great action films with a great story and a lot of depth (style AND substance) you need to see these films. Pick it up before the rumored remake is released, although really the film has been "remade" several times ("Shogun Assassin," "Road to Peredition," "Kill Bill" etc.). But nothing beats the original. The "Lone Wolf and Cub" series takes "homage" films like "Kill Bill" to school.

(At the time of this writing Amazon doesn't offer the series, so check out Animeigo's website for even more samurai titles.)

Subtitles different than the VHS
The subtitles for the DVDs part with all established format for subtitles. The subtitles are placed higher on the screen, in the actual film image (!). On the tapes the subtitles are as they should be, in the black lower portion of the widescreen matte. Also, the subtitles' typeface has black borders, therefore increasing the amount of image intruded upon, and making the subtitles an irritating distraction. For some reason this company has completely trashed their excellent product. The graphic design of the DVD packaging makes the films look like B-movie rubbish.

LW&C DVDs are full widescreen
Just so there is no confusion, the AnimEigo LW&C DVDs (and all our samurai DVDs) are full widescreen in the original aspect ratio. NOTHING has been chopped off or pan and scanned.

NOTHING!

The DVDs are 16:9 anamorphic encoded, and since the original films are have higher aspect ratios than this, they are letterboxed.

The confusion arises from the fact that if your haven't configured your DVD player and TV correctly (in particular, widescreen TVs), the image can appear either squashed (the Toho logo at the start will be oval) or have the sides clipped off.

What you have to do to get the best video quality is

1) if you have a widescreen TV, configure the DVD player so that it knows this, and configure the TV so it knows it is getting widescreen video. Be careful about TV modes where it displays a 16:9 image in 4:3 with the edges clipped.

2) If you have a regular 4:3 TV, make sure the DVD player is configured this way, otherwise it'll send out a 16:9 signal which will appear squashed on the TV.

Excellent quality - but not Shogun Assassin
This must be one of the best quality DVD transfers I've ever seen for an "old school" martial arts movie. The picture is crisp and excellent.

"Sword of Vengeance" is part one of the "Shogun Assassin" version of the Lone Wolf and Cub movie that was released back in the 1980's and may be the version that most of us are familiar with. Shogun Assassin was dubbed in English, was faster paced, had a nice, energetic soundtrack and was frankly more entertaining. Sword of Vengeance is of course the Japanese original and is a great movie by itself. However, for those of you out there who are hoping to have "Shogun Assassin" on DVD will be disappointed. Sword of Vengeance is much slower paced and I found myself skipping ahead to the fighting scenes. Still a classic and a must have for any martial arts library. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

no where to rent this tape!
No where to find or rent this tape so I bought this tapes for its worthwhile coz i'm studying swordsmanship right now. but of course so differ from at home watching them duel. really easy to say than to do.they probably did so many takes to perfected the film.

Restore Order....Kill Everyone!
This is the 5th Entry in the Series of Lone Wolf & Cub, and this one starts off with 5 emmissaries testing our hero, former Shogun Executioner, Ogami Itto. Of course 5 emmissaries testing Ogami, means 5 duels, 5 sliced up and dead emmissaries, 500 pieces of gold and the 5 bits of information Itto needs to do the job.

These 5 gave up their lives for their Clan which is in peril because the Lord of the Clan favors his concubine and is passing off her DAUGHTER as his son. A major no-no. Especially since he HAS a living son. This information has been written down and given by the Lord to a trusted holy man, the Abbott Jikei, who turns out to be a spy in cahoots with the Yagyu Clan, Ogami's sworn enemies.

So Ogami sets out to restore order to the Clan by: killing the Abbott & stealing the document (nice bit that!), and later killing half the clan to get to the Lord and doing him, his concubine and the child. Of course, Ogami manages all this with his trademark ferocity & remorseless implacability. Our filmakers do not neglect the arterial blood sprays and lopped extremities here and there, and other traits of swordfighting messiness we've come to expect.

There is a sidestory about a pickpocket "Quick Change Oyoo" that serves no purpose other than to have Ogami's little son, Daigoro, take a flogging with the same stoicism of his old man.

Anyway, plenty of stylish photography, lots of spurting blood, and an authentic look as to period detail, and a grim look at the rigorous code of conduct in that period. The Liner Notes and Subtitles help a lot. Man, these people believed in their Clans!

I was in this movie
My name is Gerard Depardieu, and I had a small "bit" part in this film. Some people think it was my best work, but I had to wear a shirt, unlike in 1492. Anyway, it is hard for me to act in the, how you say, confines of my shirt. I like samurai, and eating babies,

gErArD

the best of babycart
this the best in the series and I haven't even seen the third title yet. The shear conflict posed by the clan in it's attempt to right the wrong of it's former leader before his actions are dicovered isalmost un believeable. this is the true meaning of the code of bushido. Ogamii embraces their plight as if he were a member of the clan. Going as far as to face the old lord and chastise him for his selfish and selfdestructive actions. the cinematography is excellent and choreography if top notch, using many different sword styles and weapons. And as always little Daigoro give us all alesson in being a true samurai at the ripe old age of 3 . Many seem to think that Ogamii is seeking revenge as he travels around japan. But they are mistaken. I think he is biding time til his son can come of age and then together they will takeRetsudo's other eye and his head as well. this is a classic and should be regarded as so by any true nipponaphile would agree.

The Babycart Assassin
This is one story from an amazingly detailed legend of a samuri and his 3 year old son. Itto Ogami (the samuri) was framed and his family murdered. Now Ogami roams like a ronin throughout Japan, with his son, as an assassin for hire. He seeks revenge against the clan that framed him through treachery and becomes a thorn in their side. This is a classic that anyone who enjoys martial arts, japanese legends, japanese comic books, samuri flicks, or action packed movies with beautiful scenery would love! ... Read more

Description

Caught in a clash of cultures and ready to wreak more havoc on Japan than Godzilla, the Bad News Bears are back for their third outing, following the enormously successful The Bad New Bears and The Bad News Bears In Breaking Training. This time the Bears have been spirited off to Tokyo by Tony Curtis as Marvin Lazar, a slick and sleazy con artist who sees in the team a perfect peg for a get-rich-quick scheme. The strikeout-prone Bears are pitted against a murderously skillful Japanese junior baseball team, and the resulting comic chaos is hilarious. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Well - it is the third
This movie rounds out the three Bears movies and helped pave the way to the short lived tv series of the same name. While there is very little baseball in this film (the filmmakers get to caught up with the idea of being in Japan and forget who the film is about) and Tony Curtis is not Walter Matthau (but who is?) the film still has its moments and isn't without the smallest of pleasures. A perfect film for kids around 7 years old who like baseball. All others need not bother.

...
...All the Bad News Bears movies are good. I have all 3 on DVD at home and I watch them all the time and never get sick of it. This third one is good also. It does show the team from the first two of the Bad News Bears through the whole movie. They don't play till the end though. I think my favorite one is the second one where they play at the Astrodome that's my favorite one. It's still a classic and fun to watch.

Cheap Seats with even cheaper CRAP!!
Oh CRUD! Is this a baseball movie or a Japan documentary? If this was supposed to be a baseball movie of little league kids, they should have put a little more baseball in it. I like the humor however. But without Tanner and Lupus, the humor is dry. It's just plain garbage! I wish that they would get the TV series out on video too!! It beats the crud out of this one!!

What's wrong with it!
I think that ALL of the bad news bears including the TV series were exceptionally done! They are MUCH MUCH better than the baseball comidies of today! And I wish they would bring the bears back to the BIG SCREEN!

This Is Why Over-The-Hill Players Play in Japan...
"The Bad News Bears Go to Japan." After all, where else could they go after playing in the Astrodome? Unfortunately, a movie series that started with a movie that really didn't need a sequel, much less two, ends down by a run, two men on and a two-out pop-up in the bottom of the 9th. Or 10th... or 15th... Another one of these movies and we're gonna have to get the commissioner's office involved.

Tony Curtis strains mightily to get laughs out of some paper-thin material, and Jackie Earle Haley is way too old to be playing in this league. The film involves his character in a cross-cultural romance, and pits the Bears against the Japanese national team, but the novelty has worn off.

You're just going to be left wondering, "Why did they bother to make this movie? Free trip to Japan?" If you're interested in how our national pasttime is played in the OTHER country where it's the national pasttime, check out the passable "Mr. Baseball" instead. At least Tom Selleck has some believable moves. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Yet another great Misumi Kenji production
Although I heard 1 & 2 were the cream of the crop (cooked down further into "Shogun Assassin") -- it really pays to see all of the director Misumi Kenji's work on this series. #3 is quite good as it spirals out ever wider and wider telling the story of a series of job Ogami must perform to repay a debt. The way the director handles action and gore is simply stunning -- poetic but fun. Sadly, Misumi does not work on the next, 4th installment.

One story (the farmer girl) is adapted from Vol. 3 of the manga, story "The Virgin and the Whore". As with the comic, the movie provides information and insight into the Tokugawa Period and its customs. Those who enjoy this movie series should pick up Dark Horse Comic's manga series (28 volumes, each at $9.95, 300 pages each) -- the manga is beautiful and exciting reading.

The Way of the Warrior...
This 3rd entry in the Series is one of the best. There are several plots involved, more or less revolving around the Bushido code and what are the correct actions and responsibilities of the true Warrior, the true Samurai.
Ogami states that he and his young son, Daigoro, "live the life of Demons, without rules" but in truth, Ogami Itto is a true warrior and, although an implacable and remorseless assassin, he strictly follows the Warrior's code of behavior.

This is demonstrated in this film when he, at the outset, declines to duel with another honorable, though disgraced, Samurai; and later, when Itto saves a farm girl from servitude as a prostitute and indures the Water & Buri Buri torture (don't ask) in her place.

Very stylized and as bloody and violent as the rest, I found the six-gun packing villain a bit incongruous (six guns in the 17th Century?), and the series steps far into the fantastic with Itto literally slaying an army of opponents with a trickier than we supposed Baby Cart and a two-sword frenzy of slashing and stabbing, chopping and skewering dozens of enemies (with the by now familiar gushes and sprays of blood).

But, what the hell, James Bond can kill em by the dozen, so why not our Master of the Suiouryu Horse-Slaying Technique, Ogami Itto? And in the end, there is an elegant duel with the disgraced Samurai and we learn the true Way of the Warrior is to "live to die". Great liner notes, and good subtitles help to explain what you need to know as background to the story.

Best of the Series
This entry into the Lone Wolf and Cub series, was quite simply, excellent. From baby Daigoro, who is truly a son that any father could not help but be proud of for his uncommon coolness and spiritual strength, to the Samurai of great personal skill who was unjustly banished from his clan. After showing superior skill and loyalty, he's cast out of his respectful samurai position and ultimately gets caught up against Ogami Itto after being forced to work a less than dignified job to survive. Through his trials, he still seeks to know the true Way of the Samurai, since he's confused as to what that means. As fate would have it, the actions he thought epitomized a Warrior were the very actions that got him banished in the first place. I thought that this conflict and his "High-Noon" Showdown with Ogami near the end where Ogami finally answers his questions about what being a Samurai is all about and Daigoro's continued coming of age made this film most memorable, along with the skills displayed by Ogami Itto. The man doesn't miss any tricks. If a great action/Martial Arts flick with lessons in honor are for you, You won't want to miss this one.

Best Of the Series
This was quite simply, an excellent movie. There were two story-lines in it that sealed it up for me. The first involved a Samurai that comes up against Ogami after being banished from his clan after committing an act of unbelievable courage, loyalty and skill. He then has to take menial jobs, keeping his honor and personal dignity intact to survive and is confused about the Way of the Samurai. As fate would have it, the very acts that he committed that he thought were the epitomy of true Samurai Behavior, is what got him banished in the first place. His "High-Noon" showdown with Ogami where Ogami finally answers his burning question about the true Way of the Warrior, as well as Daigoro's continued coming of age and uncommon spiritual and emotional strength were the highlights, along with the incredible skill displayed by Ogami Itto. The man is simply awesome. If great Martial Arts action as well as lessons in personal honor and dignity are for you, then you won't want to miss this one.

ALMOST INDESCRIBABLE AS TO HOW COOL THIS MOVIE IS
Its the only Lone Wolf with Cub movie I've been able to get my hands on so far; and I've heard this one isnt even the best in the series, and its fantastic. I look forward to seeing the other films. Its nice to know that there is a series of movies with style and substance about the samurai. Seven Samurai and the Yojimbo are great movies, but the tone of Lone Wolf with Cub is different.

Here, you get a samurai movie as if Sergio Leone settled down and lived in Japan for a period of his life. Its got power and flair in its visuals and the characters breathe. The relationships dont ring a false note. You believe that he loves that little boy, and you know that little boy looks up to him. And, you damn well know that if anyone messes with either one of them, heads are going to roll.

This movie was just absolutely outstanding from start to finish. I look forward to owning and devouring the entire series. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Hmmmm.
Well I have been a fan of this series for many years and have watched each episode over and over again.....except this one. After watching this episode for the first time I felt like the producers of the show were busy watching "Shaft" or something in that genre to come up with the downhill skiing scene, not to mention the horrible 70's film overtones throughout the episode already. C'mon, any fan of LW&C would feel sick to their stomache when viewing this episode knowing it was the last. But on a good note, buy it to complete your series hehe, it will look good on your shelf.

I Think This Film Is Great Despite The Criticisms.
This installment of the Lone Wolf and Cub series isn't as deeply moving and thought provoking as the previous films. But it does feature some of the best swordplay in the series. I actually like this one more than 'Baby Cart In The Land of Demons', which I've found over-rated (at least by Ric Meyers). Maybe the sword wielding undead is too much; or the ski/swordplay finale is too over the top and corny - but hey, this is the Lone Wolf And Cub! The ending is somewhat touching, even though little Daigoro falls on his face trying to walk in the snow.

Overall, a satisfying conclusion to the film series.

Worst in the Series
If you loved the first five movies of this series, you'll be disappointed with this one. It is awful. The action sequences are nothing like, or comparable with those in the other movies. If Itto Ogami used his sword a bit more rather than the guns in the baby cart, with unlimited ammunition no less, this would be a better film. Also, the story is very disjointed and extremely hard to follow, unlike the previous Lone Wolf and Cub movies. Very disappointed with this.

Wind it Up with a Bang!
This is the 6th and last entry in the series Lone Wolf & Cub. This one not only has a different director than Kenji, who directed 4 of the others, this is the entry most like a comic-book (the series is based on a famous comic book series).
Not that that is bad.

The whole series fluctuated between great period detail, serious themes, and not taking itself too seriously. It was at once graphic and fantastic, realistic and wildly improbable, factual and imaginary. serious & silly. That's what made it so damn interesting.

Throughout the series the action has taken place in different locales and landscapes of Japan. Tracing actual historical roads and cities. Now we end the series in the mountains and the snow, the White Heaven in Hell of the title.

This entry has a lot of stuff going on: Lord Retsudo of the hated Yagyu Clan, Ogami's arch enemy, sends his last child, a daughter to do in Ogami with her "Falling Dagger" technique. When, predictably, she fails, he goes to an illegitimate son that was abandoned and raised by a mountain tribe. ...

The downhill ski battle may not be... intense and exciting but ...it ain't bad. That Ogami's Baby Cart guns never seem to need reloading etc. are minor quibbles. If Ogami doesn't shoot em he always seems able to bifurcate them, behead them, or run em through. Red sprays all over the white snow.

Anyway, they wind the series up with a bang. One of the strangest, most unique, and unusual series ever produced anywhere. Worth it if you don't mind the violence.

Not as good as the others
This is a great series but this one is my least favorite of them all. Its not that bad but it doesn't stand up to the first 2 in the series or the others. But hey this is Itto Ogami and even on a bad day he's good. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Brilliant movie - Insulting visual transfer
Before I review Black Rain, let me tell you that I agree with some of the previous reviewers that the picture quality of this DVD (its better on VHS) is totally unacceptable. When I first watched it, I had to check my cable connections to make sure they weren't at fault. What a let-down. Mr. Scott should be raising hell over this.

With that said, this is one of my favorite action movies. It portrays Detective Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) as an outgoing, old-school cop who takes moral short-cuts to get the job done. His partner, a relatively new Detective (Andy Garcia) is along for the ride. They have a run-in with a Japanese mobster (Yakuza) named Sato. After arresting Sato for commiting two murders in a New York restaurant, the Detectives are ordered to escort him back to Japan to face charges there. They manage to let Sato escape as he arrives in Japan. A Japanese Detective (Ken Takarara) is assigned to help out the New York Detectives.

Douglas, Garcia and Takarara are excellenty cast in their respective roles. The screenplay is well written. I must say that the cinematography is really good. Japan, the once-conquered nation, is now an industrial powerhouse. But, like the U.S., it suffers from the ills of corruption and violence. Ridley Scott does a great job of showing the tension between the two cultures. The Japanese, "bound by duty and honor", and the Americans, loud and outspoken, are viewed as somewhat obnoxious by their counterparts. The musical score is incredible. Hans Zimmer really brings this movie to life with an array of Japanese and American-themed music that injects just the right amount of tension for the corresponding scene. Brilliantly done.

This movie is 5-Star material, but the DVD version is a huge disapointment. I would wait to see if a special edition DVD comes out (I can only hope) with the video quality this movie deserves.

"It started to rain... Black rain."
Another masterpiece from director Ridley Scott, Black Rain stars Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin, an NY cop who is under pressure from internal affairs and has just had a divorce. Along with him is his happy-go-lucky partner Charlie (Andy Garcia), who loves a good time (it's weird how they call each other "babe"). After arresting Japanese Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) boss Sato (Yusaku Matsuda), they are assinged to return him to Japan. When Sato escapes and humiliates the cops, Nick is determined to bring him in, but has to cope with the strict ways of the Japanese law enforcement. With the help of the by-the-book cop Masahiro (Ken Takakura), Nick vows to bring Sato down. With great supporting actors/actresses, good story, and great action, it's great for any person who likes action or Michael Douglas. It's only real flay is its absurdity, but that's not going to stop you from seeing it, is it?

Culture Clash
Black Rain may not have some of the epic qualities of other Ridley Scott films, like Blade Runner, Gladiator, or even Black Hawk Down, but it is still a solid cop thrller/fish out of water story.

Just as New York detective Mike Conklin (Michael Douglas) faces an investigation for corruption, Japan's yakuza hit man Sato (Yusaku Matsuda) kills two American mobsters in New York, he's then extradited to Osaka to face trial. Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) are assigned as his escorts back home. Mistakenly turning over their prisoner to yakuza disguised as police, Conklin and Vincent realize, after running down some blind alleys, that they have no chance of finding Sato in the unfamiliar city and enlist the services of Japanese desk cop Masahiro "Mas" Masumoto (Ken Takakura). While relaxing with Mas at a karaoke bar, the cops also get information on the world of the yakuza from Joyce Kinglsey (Kate Capshaw), a high-class bargirl. As they continue the search for Sato, the scrupulous, methodical, and civilized style of Japanese police work rubs the improvisational, rule-breaking Americans the wrong way. All three men must find a way to work together though, to succeed.

Scott certainly knows how to keep the action moving at a nice pace. Douglas is very good playing yet another cop on the edge. A very young Garcia makes the most of a fairly predictable role. Takakura gets along well with his "american" compatriots. His character is as much out of his element, while adjusting to the two westerners, as the two americans are. This makes the film even more fun. Special mention has to be made of the superb photography of future director Jan de Bont, who had just come off of Die Hard, in the movie. The Japan backdrop looks great and is at its grittiest. The film's biggest problem lies within its script. Some of its twists are easy to forecast before they occur. Fortunately though, everything else works pretty well, so as not to bring down the flick.

I like Black Rain a whole lot and would welcome a special edition DVD release of the movie. As it stands right now though, the current disc only has the theatrical trailer, for its bonus material. Since most Ridley Scott films make for great SE DVDs, I'm sure if done right, Black Rain would be as well. Recommended.

A guilt-free pleasure
I'm not sure why this movie is described as a 'guilty pleasure'. I don't feel at all bad about liking it. And I do like it, a lot.

For one thing, I like Michael Douglas. I liked him thirty years ago in _The Streets of San Francisco_, I liked him even better after he turned _One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest_ from a great book and a great stage play into a great motion picture, and I've kept right on liking him every time he's gotten himself cast in a stylish, well-scripted film.

And this _is_ a stylish, well-scripted film. It's every bit as dark as you expect from Ridley Scott, and although there's a fairly well-defined villain, the 'heroes' are morally ambiguous. I like that in a movie.

The reviewers who say Michael Douglas's character Nick Conklin is an 'ugly American' are right, but they seem to have missed the fact that this is part of the point. This film is a fairly ambitious, though not terribly deep, attempt to bring off an East-meets-West theme in what looks superficially like just another buddy-cop movie. The 'black rain' of the title is one of the aftereffects of the nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it's the symbolic stand-in for the Western 'decadence' bemoaned by the more traditional Nipponese (even the crime bosses).

But that doesn't mean Japan wins the dramatic argument. On the contrary, the Nipponese cop (played with endearing self-effacement by Ken Takakura) learns a few things from his new cowboy friend 'Nick-san' too. (And the karaoke scene with Takakura and Andy Garcia is priceless.)

Kate Capshaw doesn't really need an excuse to appear in a film, and that's good, because here she doesn't really have one. She's an expatriate American who inexplicably keeps turning up at the center of the action. She gives the film a bit of _Casablanca_-like flavor, but it's more a matter of mood than anything else.

I won't tell you anything about the plot except that it involves the Japanese underworld and that it zips along at a fast clip. Don't look away or you'll miss something.

The whole thing is rendered most atmospherically, with the sort of dark and brooding edge that I like in a film (and at which Ridley Scott excels). In general I'm not the biggest fan of Hans Zimmer's scores, but for the most part he's used pretty effectively here.

This is a first-rate action-adventure thriller, and I don't feel the slightest bit 'guilty' for taking a very great deal of pleasure in it.

Perfect Ridley Scott
One of my favorite films--if for no other reason, it is signature Scott. However, it is a very good film all around! Douglas, Takakura and Capshaw were outstanding! Some may not like the genre or Scott, hence, some of the reviews. A caution: Be sure to read the reviewer's comments about the quality of the DVD version on down the list. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The wild success of The Tale of Zatoichi demanded a sequel and star Shintaro Katsu was only too happy to reprise his role as the traveling masseur and blind swordsman. Star Katsu and director Kazuo Mori flesh out the enigmatic Ichi in this outing, creating a more haunted and less conniving character who prefers to keep his identity shrouded and his sword sheathed. Nonetheless the peace-loving swordsman is reluctantly and repeatedly forced to fight when he's attacked by a government goon squad, a gang of hoodlums, and an angry one-armed swordsman whose interest in Ichi is purely personal. This action-packed entry, which ultimately brings our hero back to the site of his previous film for the furious climax, practically revels in the concentrated bursts of Ichi's lightning attack.

The newly restored DVD features a small stills gallery, a fold-out insert with an essay by Tatsu Aoki (a self described "Ichi Freak"), and four collector cards. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Top notch Ichi.
Yet another good offerring in the Zatoichi series of films. About the only thing I can offer that I have not seen mentioned before in any of the reviews is that this one is a fair bit shorter than part one but it has quite a bit more action than the first. At any rate, and most importantly, if you liked the first, you will like the second as well as the rest of the recent releases on dvd( of which they are apparantly going to release the first seventeen films in the Zatoichi series.). Also, a company called animeigo has the rights to a few of the later Zatoichi films and are supposedly planning on releasing them in the near future as well.

Great Samurai Story & Series
I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who is always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.

Another great installment
The second in the series developes Ichi even more, he can be truly kind to the lower classes but has disdain for the general samurai class as a whole but has much respect for what he considers honorable men. He can be kind and then brutal in seconds, his mind weighs heavy on his deeds as seen when he is thinking of his samurai friend Master Hitaro Miki, whom he had to kill. This installment is another must have, can't wait for the rest.

Good sequel to the first Zatoichi DVD
After watching and enjoying the first Zatoichi DVD, I decided to buy the second installment. I'm glad I did because its even better than the first.
After being hired to massage a distinguished lord, Zatoichi discovers a secret that could ruin the lord's clan. This sets the story in motion as the lord's retainers send thier samurai and local gangsters after the blind masseur. In this movie we learn a little bit of Ichi's past. In fact a mysterious rival from his past turns up. We are also treated to more of Shintaro Katsu's excellent swordmanship which is even better in this movie than the first.

ZEN WARRIOR ROCKS
Criterion in association with Janus Films has exquisitely remastered the first two of 26 sequels in the life and adventures of Japan's most popular and enduring cinematic hero, Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. A common man with an extraordinary skill and an even greater moral imperative.

"THE TALE OF ZATOICHI CONTINUES" is Volume Two of The Blind Swordsman series. Features revved up action, a lethal love triangle and a freaky one-armed samurai. When Zatoichi realizes that the lord who has hired him is going insane -- a madness, that if made public would topple his empire and the livelihood of his samurai warriors -- he flees a wanted man pursued by the mad lord's samurais and hired yakuza mercenaries. Zatoichi manages to escape until he is forced to confront his old foe -- the one armed warrior (played by Kenzaburo, Shintaro Katsu's brother who changed his name to Tomisaburo Wakayama and starred as Itto Ogami in the "Lone Wolf and Cub" series).

This is a great series that has been hotly desired by an eclectic group of samurai videophiles who call themselves "Ichi Freaks." With the release of the newly restored, widescreen DVDs and the smoother translated subtitles, their number will certainly grow. ... Read more

Description

Accused of stealing, Zatoichi is pursued by friend and foe alike. In this installment of The Blind Swordsman series, Ichi must prove his innocence, expose the real culprits, retrieve the
gold and reconcile his accusers’ anger. And if the odds were not stacked high enough, Ichi is hounded and challenged by a maniacal, bullwhip yielding Ronin who finds Ichi’s status as a low ranking blind masseur and master swordsman as an affront to his class and profession. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My Favorite Zatoichi Flick
When I was younger I used to hunt down grainy copies of the Zatoichi series which were poorly subtitled and poorly transferred on VHS. I was very pleased to see this quality cinema transferred to DVD and given the respect it deserves. The Zatoichi Series, though it declined at the beginning of the seventies, remains some of the greatest drama/action in cinema history; at least according to my opinion. The seventies saw a drastic change in Japanese culture, and the movie industry became more sexual and trashy. The 1960's saw the greatest in cinematography, plot, and character development- far surpassing anything Hollywood was doing during that time. This Zatoichi episode is a classic which pits Ichi against some fierce bandits, and a mission to clear his name with a village of farmers. The chambara here is excellent, and the ethics of Ichi are highly pronounced. I look forward to more DVD transfers of the Zatoichi series.

Can't miss with a hard drinking highly skilled swordsman
As always, this movie gives you all you want in the zatoichi vein, the emmotional women, the amazing swordsmanship, and the numerous opportunities for Zatoichi to display the character that lasted him thru so many movies. Mixed up in the search for a lost chest of gold, thieves, and crooked goverment officials, Zatoichi saves the day in his unsual manner. Not quite as good as the first ones but still worth the price ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Iga Ninja vs. Rock-Ridge
This film is an essential purchase for all Chiba fans. Most of the cast of this film also starred in 'Ninja Wars'....the English overdubs were highly amusing(they just changed the voices around!!) Story: a homosexual samurai is brought back from the dead, rejects Christianity, worships Satan, gets a possé of suicidal sword-masters, goes on the rampage.....its the same as all the others, however, it a cross between Ninja Wars and that [terrible] Gunslinger flick with Sharon Stone in it. Sonny Chiba is Jubei and the son of a minor noble who succumbs to the [samurai's] magick. Chiba kills all of the possé exept the monk-alcoholic who has fantisies of killing women. The film must have been cut. Only buy this on DVD 'cos the American VHS version had the picture quality of a thrice-pirated '70's porno!!!! ...

Very good despite a terrible dub
I thought at first this was filmed for the asian TV market because of the obvious set design and film quality at the beginning(reminiscent of Dark Shadows). However, the film slowly builds in pace and scope until it's climax: a duel in an inferno, the burning remains of the mansion of the shogun. It is easily up to the par of the low budget asian action movies of the period. The mythology of the film is quite interesting, both in the time period it is placed and the characters that are included. The samurai that Toshiro Mifune brought to western audiences, Musashi Miyamoto, plays a key part. The only significant flaw to this film is the previously mentioned dub. Not only are the voices not timed properly but almost all the voice actors are VERY poorly chosen and seemingly refuse to emote with their characters. There are some moments with dramatic overacting but anyone seeking information on a film titled Samurai Reincarnation shouldn't be seeking subtlety. Also of note, many of the key players of this film including Sonny Chiba and the Director himself were involved in the film The Legend of the Eight Samurai, a film much like this one with similar qualities and flaws(including the dub).

If you like japanese swords you will like this film
Very good plot. Very good action . Very entertaining. I saw this film in a theatre.I am buying it now in video.Unfortunately i dont know if this version have english subtitles.However there is a version dubbed in English The hero is not of the family Yagiu and Chiba is Jubei.It is difficult to tell if his Tsuba(gard) is an Yagiu tsuba.In any case as you know he never used the Tsuba.Very good swordsman ... Read more

Description

From Kinji Fukasaku (Battles Without Honor & Humanity) comes this pivotal earlycrime drama in the celebrated career of the director who changed the face of Japanese action cinema. Stylish and hard-boiled, Sympathy for the Underdog stars Koji Tsuruta, one of Japan’s seminal figures in the Yakuza genre, as Gunji, an aging Yakuza who is released from prison after ten years. Gunji lives by a code of honor that has no place among Tokyo’s modern corporate gangs. He gets a new lease on life by reforming his former gang and taking over the whiskey trade on the island of Okinawa. But he is forced to make a final, fateful, bloody stand against the mainland gang that sent him to prison. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Gokudo - an Extraordinaire anime!
There are noble, handsome princes who traverse afar for the good of society, defending the weak, giving money to the poor... And then there's Gokudo. An ill-tempered, lecherous, money-grubbing adventurer whose only thoughts are for his own safety and pleasure, he manages to accidentally save at least four people every episode, usually stealing from them in the process. His goals are never honest, and his methods are despicable, but he's got spunk. Each episode is laugh-out-loud hilarious, the fight scenes are most excellent, and the enemies are superb. A must-see for the Slayers fan.

Gokudo Action Comedy
Gokudo is a laugh out loud kind of fun! He's totally unlike any "hero" you have ever met. He's rude, lecherous, devious, and doesn't trust anyone completely. He's looking for the angle he doesn't beleive in the goody goody stuff. He's selfish, greedy and many things. He does have a spark of good deep down inside, he does have some decentcy, not much. He fits more the bad guy kind of profile, than any hero form. This movie does have some very childish humor in it, like he picks his nose!! gross, and he has stink bomb farts, yuck!. Look beyond that and it's a cool movie, and hopefully there will be more, it does leave you hanging though, so that's no fun.

Yes its good, but not that good...
I have watched many animes and GOKUDO is just something I would say rather plainly so far, is nothing exceptional. At certain times, it can be dry but it can be funny too. But for 26 episodes altogether, the story doesn't have a story and becomes a mix mash of silly tales of Gods & Demons.

It can be fun to watch when there is nothing to watch at all... but its more of rent than to own.

I couldn't stop watching it^o^
Gokudo can be describes in 3 words; Male Lina Inverse. This series is SOOOO funny!^o^ He travels with this girl he has zero interest in who not only acts a bit like him, but looks like his freaking identical twin! Oddly enough, in the very last episode in the last 5 min, she decides she 'likes' him, go figure. Anyway, Gokudo is this funny self-centered prince-half who gets turned into women & chibis & he never gets what he wants & this hideosly scary woman follows him everywhere. & if you thought Slayers was funny, this is possible even more ammusing!

Gokudo ¿ Comedy Series Extraordinaire!
Enter Gokudo Yucott Kikansky: adventurer, treasure-hunter, womanizer - overall the most selfish, stubborn, greedy character I've ever known (and still he ranks high among my favorites). The story opens as a stubby little fortune-teller informs Gokudo that the king of Eshalatto is trying to kill him. Gokudo listens to the fortune-teller just long enough to get a free dinner out of her and pick her pocket before making a cheap excuse and a mad dash (I wish I could run that fast) back to the inn where he is staying. The true fun begins when Gokudo finds that what he has stolen from the fortune-teller doesn't have the sort of value he was hoping for... Soon all sorts of strange things are happening and Gokudo finds himself with the fate of the world on his shoulders, which he naturally tries to shrug off at every opportunity he gets. The cast of characters grows steadily throughout the series' 26-episode length, every character bringing their very own distinctive personality - complete with their very own distinctive and hilarious personality flaws!
I highly recommend this series to everyone, only to say that I would voluntarily rate it somewhere between PG and PG-13. I bought this series in the box set the very first chance I got after seeing the first two of six discs. In fact, I just finished watching it today, and I really hope that there is more "Gokudo" in the works. Happy watching! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Gokudo - an Extraordinaire anime!
There are noble, handsome princes who traverse afar for the good of society, defending the weak, giving money to the poor... And then there's Gokudo. An ill-tempered, lecherous, money-grubbing adventurer whose only thoughts are for his own safety and pleasure, he manages to accidentally save at least four people every episode, usually stealing from them in the process. His goals are never honest, and his methods are despicable, but he's got spunk. Each episode is laugh-out-loud hilarious, the fight scenes are most excellent, and the enemies are superb. A must-see for the Slayers fan.

Gokudo Action Comedy
Gokudo is a laugh out loud kind of fun! He's totally unlike any "hero" you have ever met. He's rude, lecherous, devious, and doesn't trust anyone completely. He's looking for the angle he doesn't beleive in the goody goody stuff. He's selfish, greedy and many things. He does have a spark of good deep down inside, he does have some decentcy, not much. He fits more the bad guy kind of profile, than any hero form. This movie does have some very childish humor in it, like he picks his nose!! gross, and he has stink bomb farts, yuck!. Look beyond that and it's a cool movie, and hopefully there will be more, it does leave you hanging though, so that's no fun.

Yes its good, but not that good...
I have watched many animes and GOKUDO is just something I would say rather plainly so far, is nothing exceptional. At certain times, it can be dry but it can be funny too. But for 26 episodes altogether, the story doesn't have a story and becomes a mix mash of silly tales of Gods & Demons.

It can be fun to watch when there is nothing to watch at all... but its more of rent than to own.

I couldn't stop watching it^o^
Gokudo can be describes in 3 words; Male Lina Inverse. This series is SOOOO funny!^o^ He travels with this girl he has zero interest in who not only acts a bit like him, but looks like his freaking identical twin! Oddly enough, in the very last episode in the last 5 min, she decides she 'likes' him, go figure. Anyway, Gokudo is this funny self-centered prince-half who gets turned into women & chibis & he never gets what he wants & this hideosly scary woman follows him everywhere. & if you thought Slayers was funny, this is possible even more ammusing!

Gokudo ¿ Comedy Series Extraordinaire!
Enter Gokudo Yucott Kikansky: adventurer, treasure-hunter, womanizer - overall the most selfish, stubborn, greedy character I've ever known (and still he ranks high among my favorites). The story opens as a stubby little fortune-teller informs Gokudo that the king of Eshalatto is trying to kill him. Gokudo listens to the fortune-teller just long enough to get a free dinner out of her and pick her pocket before making a cheap excuse and a mad dash (I wish I could run that fast) back to the inn where he is staying. The true fun begins when Gokudo finds that what he has stolen from the fortune-teller doesn't have the sort of value he was hoping for... Soon all sorts of strange things are happening and Gokudo finds himself with the fate of the world on his shoulders, which he naturally tries to shrug off at every opportunity he gets. The cast of characters grows steadily throughout the series' 26-episode length, every character bringing their very own distinctive personality - complete with their very own distinctive and hilarious personality flaws!
I highly recommend this series to everyone, only to say that I would voluntarily rate it somewhere between PG and PG-13. I bought this series in the box set the very first chance I got after seeing the first two of six discs. In fact, I just finished watching it today, and I really hope that there is more "Gokudo" in the works. Happy watching! ... Read more

Description

Where is it written that heroes have to be heroic?Gokudo is the perfect adventurer, reckless, greedy and ambitions.Unfortunately, that makes him one imperfect crown prince and an even worse hero.With his flaming sword, a tomboy looking for excitement and the prince of his rival kingdom, he sets off on a quest to uncover all the great treasures of the world.He'll succeed, or he'll make a total fool of himself trying! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Gokudo - an Extraordinaire anime!
There are noble, handsome princes who traverse afar for the good of society, defending the weak, giving money to the poor... And then there's Gokudo. An ill-tempered, lecherous, money-grubbing adventurer whose only thoughts are for his own safety and pleasure, he manages to accidentally save at least four people every episode, usually stealing from them in the process. His goals are never honest, and his methods are despicable, but he's got spunk. Each episode is laugh-out-loud hilarious, the fight scenes are most excellent, and the enemies are superb. A must-see for the Slayers fan.

Gokudo Action Comedy
Gokudo is a laugh out loud kind of fun! He's totally unlike any "hero" you have ever met. He's rude, lecherous, devious, and doesn't trust anyone completely. He's looking for the angle he doesn't beleive in the goody goody stuff. He's selfish, greedy and many things. He does have a spark of good deep down inside, he does have some decentcy, not much. He fits more the bad guy kind of profile, than any hero form. This movie does have some very childish humor in it, like he picks his nose!! gross, and he has stink bomb farts, yuck!. Look beyond that and it's a cool movie, and hopefully there will be more, it does leave you hanging though, so that's no fun.

Yes its good, but not that good...
I have watched many animes and GOKUDO is just something I would say rather plainly so far, is nothing exceptional. At certain times, it can be dry but it can be funny too. But for 26 episodes altogether, the story doesn't have a story and becomes a mix mash of silly tales of Gods & Demons.

It can be fun to watch when there is nothing to watch at all... but its more of rent than to own.

I couldn't stop watching it^o^
Gokudo can be describes in 3 words; Male Lina Inverse. This series is SOOOO funny!^o^ He travels with this girl he has zero interest in who not only acts a bit like him, but looks like his freaking identical twin! Oddly enough, in the very last episode in the last 5 min, she decides she 'likes' him, go figure. Anyway, Gokudo is this funny self-centered prince-half who gets turned into women & chibis & he never gets what he wants & this hideosly scary woman follows him everywhere. & if you thought Slayers was funny, this is possible even more ammusing!

Gokudo ¿ Comedy Series Extraordinaire!
Enter Gokudo Yucott Kikansky: adventurer, treasure-hunter, womanizer - overall the most selfish, stubborn, greedy character I've ever known (and still he ranks high among my favorites). The story opens as a stubby little fortune-teller informs Gokudo that the king of Eshalatto is trying to kill him. Gokudo listens to the fortune-teller just long enough to get a free dinner out of her and pick her pocket before making a cheap excuse and a mad dash (I wish I could run that fast) back to the inn where he is staying. The true fun begins when Gokudo finds that what he has stolen from the fortune-teller doesn't have the sort of value he was hoping for... Soon all sorts of strange things are happening and Gokudo finds himself with the fate of the world on his shoulders, which he naturally tries to shrug off at every opportunity he gets. The cast of characters grows steadily throughout the series' 26-episode length, every character bringing their very own distinctive personality - complete with their very own distinctive and hilarious personality flaws!
I highly recommend this series to everyone, only to say that I would voluntarily rate it somewhere between PG and PG-13. I bought this series in the box set the very first chance I got after seeing the first two of six discs. In fact, I just finished watching it today, and I really hope that there is more "Gokudo" in the works. Happy watching! ... Read more

Description

The great body-switching curse has finally been broken, but Gokudo is still a baby!Determined to do something about his diminutive condition, Gokudo sets out for the legendary magical spring.He needs only to sacrifice Rubette to the Fire God to cure his little problem.Unfortunately Rubette has been his constant companion for all his adventures, and of course he wouldn't just sacrifice such a valuable friend, right?Afterwards, Gokudo and company are set to face off with the nagging demon, Granny, who's been tormenting them for their long journey.But she's nothing compared to Indra, who has been sent by the followers of the Buddha to destroy our heroes in the name of all that's good and just in the world.Well, who can blame him? ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Gokudo - an Extraordinaire anime!
There are noble, handsome princes who traverse afar for the good of society, defending the weak, giving money to the poor... And then there's Gokudo. An ill-tempered, lecherous, money-grubbing adventurer whose only thoughts are for his own safety and pleasure, he manages to accidentally save at least four people every episode, usually stealing from them in the process. His goals are never honest, and his methods are despicable, but he's got spunk. Each episode is laugh-out-loud hilarious, the fight scenes are most excellent, and the enemies are superb. A must-see for the Slayers fan.

Gokudo Action Comedy
Gokudo is a laugh out loud kind of fun! He's totally unlike any "hero" you have ever met. He's rude, lecherous, devious, and doesn't trust anyone completely. He's looking for the angle he doesn't beleive in the goody goody stuff. He's selfish, greedy and many things. He does have a spark of good deep down inside, he does have some decentcy, not much. He fits more the bad guy kind of profile, than any hero form. This movie does have some very childish humor in it, like he picks his nose!! gross, and he has stink bomb farts, yuck!. Look beyond that and it's a cool movie, and hopefully there will be more, it does leave you hanging though, so that's no fun.

Yes its good, but not that good...
I have watched many animes and GOKUDO is just something I would say rather plainly so far, is nothing exceptional. At certain times, it can be dry but it can be funny too. But for 26 episodes altogether, the story doesn't have a story and becomes a mix mash of silly tales of Gods & Demons.

It can be fun to watch when there is nothing to watch at all... but its more of rent than to own.

I couldn't stop watching it^o^
Gokudo can be describes in 3 words; Male Lina Inverse. This series is SOOOO funny!^o^ He travels with this girl he has zero interest in who not only acts a bit like him, but looks like his freaking identical twin! Oddly enough, in the very last episode in the last 5 min, she decides she 'likes' him, go figure. Anyway, Gokudo is this funny self-centered prince-half who gets turned into women & chibis & he never gets what he wants & this hideosly scary woman follows him everywhere. & if you thought Slayers was funny, this is possible even more ammusing!

Gokudo ¿ Comedy Series Extraordinaire!
Enter Gokudo Yucott Kikansky: adventurer, treasure-hunter, womanizer - overall the most selfish, stubborn, greedy character I've ever known (and still he ranks high among my favorites). The story opens as a stubby little fortune-teller informs Gokudo that the king of Eshalatto is trying to kill him. Gokudo listens to the fortune-teller just long enough to get a free dinner out of her and pick her pocket before making a cheap excuse and a mad dash (I wish I could run that fast) back to the inn where he is staying. The true fun begins when Gokudo finds that what he has stolen from the fortune-teller doesn't have the sort of value he was hoping for... Soon all sorts of strange things are happening and Gokudo finds himself with the fate of the world on his shoulders, which he naturally tries to shrug off at every opportunity he gets. The cast of characters grows steadily throughout the series' 26-episode length, every character bringing their very own distinctive personality - complete with their very own distinctive and hilarious personality flaws!
I highly recommend this series to everyone, only to say that I would voluntarily rate it somewhere between PG and PG-13. I bought this series in the box set the very first chance I got after seeing the first two of six discs. In fact, I just finished watching it today, and I really hope that there is more "Gokudo" in the works. Happy watching! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Gokudo - an Extraordinaire anime!
There are noble, handsome princes who traverse afar for the good of society, defending the weak, giving money to the poor... And then there's Gokudo. An ill-tempered, lecherous, money-grubbing adventurer whose only thoughts are for his own safety and pleasure, he manages to accidentally save at least four people every episode, usually stealing from them in the process. His goals are never honest, and his methods are despicable, but he's got spunk. Each episode is laugh-out-loud hilarious, the fight scenes are most excellent, and the enemies are superb. A must-see for the Slayers fan.

Gokudo Action Comedy
Gokudo is a laugh out loud kind of fun! He's totally unlike any "hero" you have ever met. He's rude, lecherous, devious, and doesn't trust anyone completely. He's looking for the angle he doesn't beleive in the goody goody stuff. He's selfish, greedy and many things. He does have a spark of good deep down inside, he does have some decentcy, not much. He fits more the bad guy kind of profile, than any hero form. This movie does have some very childish humor in it, like he picks his nose!! gross, and he has stink bomb farts, yuck!. Look beyond that and it's a cool movie, and hopefully there will be more, it does leave you hanging though, so that's no fun.

Yes its good, but not that good...
I have watched many animes and GOKUDO is just something I would say rather plainly so far, is nothing exceptional. At certain times, it can be dry but it can be funny too. But for 26 episodes altogether, the story doesn't have a story and becomes a mix mash of silly tales of Gods & Demons.

It can be fun to watch when there is nothing to watch at all... but its more of rent than to own.

I couldn't stop watching it^o^
Gokudo can be describes in 3 words; Male Lina Inverse. This series is SOOOO funny!^o^ He travels with this girl he has zero interest in who not only acts a bit like him, but looks like his freaking identical twin! Oddly enough, in the very last episode in the last 5 min, she decides she 'likes' him, go figure. Anyway, Gokudo is this funny self-centered prince-half who gets turned into women & chibis & he never gets what he wants & this hideosly scary woman follows him everywhere. & if you thought Slayers was funny, this is possible even more ammusing!

Gokudo ¿ Comedy Series Extraordinaire!
Enter Gokudo Yucott Kikansky: adventurer, treasure-hunter, womanizer - overall the most selfish, stubborn, greedy character I've ever known (and still he ranks high among my favorites). The story opens as a stubby little fortune-teller informs Gokudo that the king of Eshalatto is trying to kill him. Gokudo listens to the fortune-teller just long enough to get a free dinner out of her and pick her pocket before making a cheap