Lone Wolf & Cub series

[QueMuchita]

Wow! I never knew that KFB, Is the TV Series as good as the movies & does it star the same actors? Where can I find a copy of the series?

[waywardsage]

@KFB: I agree with you on that!

I was disappointed with the last movie WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL I wanted to see the showdown between Ogami & Restudo, like in the TV series! And BTW what is the deal with the TV series, did they finish the entire 1st. season or what!? What a waste one of ther best Japanese series ever made IMO, and they didn't even finish it!

But White Heaven in Hell had that badass skiing downhill fight scene!!

[Gaijin84]

Wow! I never knew that KFB, Is the TV Series as good as the movies & does it star the same actors? Where can I find a copy of the series?

Season 1:

Episodes 1-13

Episodes 14-26

Seasons 2 & 3 are available via fan subbed versions on various sites like these

Season 2

Season 3

[daisho2004]

So they actually did finish the entire 1st. season is it available as a box set? I've yet to see it as a complete season #1.

[Gaijin84]

So they actually did finish the entire 1st. season is it available as a box set? I've yet to see it as a complete season #1.

Yeah - I think they'll milk the two sets for awhile before releasing a full 26-episode version.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Wow! I never knew that KFB, Is the TV Series as good as the movies & does it star the same actors? Where can I find a copy of the series?

I think it's a great series. But no, not as good as the films IMO. It stars different actors. Though they are very good, I always miss Wakayama. And the TV star's sword skills can't compare to Wakayama-san's.

Here on eBay are the first two sets for the officially released season 1:

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Lone-Wolf-and-Cub-Collection-1-DVD-2009-6Disc-Set-/73287870?_refkw=LONE+WOLF+AND+CUB&_pcatid=1&_pcategid=617&_from=R40&_dmpt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Lone-Wolf-and-Cub-Collection-2-DVD-2010-6Disc-Set-/82181881?_refkw=LONE+WOLF+AND+CUB&_pcatid=1&_pcategid=617&_from=R40&_dmpt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray

The second and third season are only available as bootlegs.

But White Heaven in Hell had that badass skiing downhill fight scene!!

True. Still a ton of fun. Just not as good as films 1-5.

So they actually did finish the entire 1st. season is it available as a box set? I've yet to see it as a complete season #1.

Yeah - I think they'll milk the two sets for awhile before releasing a full 26-episode version.

Though in the past I would have agreed with Gaijin84 on this, now I wouldn't wait for that if I were you Daisho2004. Since Tokyo Shock is having such serious financial problems I wouldn't be surprised if they go under, let alone rerelease anything. Then, any left over stock will become OOP and these DVD sets will go up in price. I'd grab the two DVD sets if I were you.

Originally these were released in 2 disc sets, and I bought them all like that- which was quite expensive. Then they were like "Okay, did all of the hard core fans spend their cash already? Great! Now we'll rerelease these for much cheaper as collected sets". Thanks for that Tokyo Shock.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Hey guys, I thought people reading this thread might be interested in seeing the art I made that was based on/inspired by this incredible film series :

http://www.shaolinchamber36.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-in-the-shadow-of-the-ura-yagyu-art/

http://www.shaolinchamber36.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-the-assassins-path-art/

http://www.shaolinchamber36.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-the-cut-art/

http://www.shaolinchamber36.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-the-masters-of-death-art/

Plus some of my LW&C designs (and @SMK's killer "VADER VS ITTO" design) are available on shirts hoodies, and other apparel here: http://www.shaolinchamber36.com/

[BlackLamaFaction]

That is amazing Bob. So intricate, amazing detail. Goseki Kojima himself could not have portrayed these characters better.

[KUNG FU BOB]

That is amazing Bob. So intricate, amazing detail. Goseki Kojima himself could not have portrayed these characters better.

Damn bro- a huge compliment! Thank you.

[Ah_Tao]

Not sure if there is a topic, I couldn't find a whole topic without it being from other threads, so I decided to make a new one. Feel free to move it should you need to!

What an amazing series. Just got this last week from Amazon after I got a good old gift card. Luckily I grabbed it for $50, which was more than a bargain since it came with Shogun Assassin. Now I've seen Shogun Assassin first years ago, but never really delved into the entire series, nor watched the originals. I never even read the mangas (I'm just a DC guy). I'd also like to note that I've seen The Master and The Kid before ever seeing any versions of Lone Wolf and Cub, so to see this really made me appreciate the series as a whole. Figured I'd give my $0.02 on the whole series, and hope you guys enjoy my critique. Oh, and spoilers are ahead, so turn around if you hate em. Bare with me as I am very tired while I'm typing this

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (4.5/5)

This movie changed the tone immediately for me. Shogun Assassin starts with the most PG intro that could be given, with one of the most badass narrations and title sequences that could be seen. Instead, we see Ogami Itto, who must perform his duties as the Shogunate's Executioner and behead a presumably, 2-3 year old Lord. It was a bit hard for me to watch, because the kid looked a bit like a family member when they were just a baby. We're introduced to Ogami, who is on the Demon's Path of the Five Realms, which is shown through a cool backdrop. The story cuts to where Ogami Itto is already Lone Wolf and Cub (Yes, Lone Wolf and Cub, not Lone Wolf), and couldn't care less about his life as his son runs off to strangers (keep this in mind especially when it gets to the fourth installment). The story is told through flashbacks, as Retsudo Yagyu of the Yagyu Clan has Ogami's wife murdered while placing a Hollyhock Crest Tablets to frame him. As Lone Wolf and Cub slices his way through his path, he swears that he will kill Retsudo, even if he must search underground for him. This movie was quite amazing, as it told two stories in one- the showing of the assassin's origins, and the showing of one of his contracts.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (5/5)

I think for me, this movie ties with the next installment. Some of the best work of all chambara cinema displayed here. Ogami Itto must go up against a faction that was described in the beginning of the first film- Kurokawa. These ninjas just harass the living hell out of him in this one. They nearly kill him, when young Daigoro has to help his father out (which was a cute scene). I think what makes this movie spectacular, is when they show the different assassins that are sent by the Yagyu Clan, and how the scenes build up. Who could ever forget that we are treated to an amazing fight scene in a vast, and large desert. There's even a scene where Lone Wolf and Cub leaves a sword in a body, and makes us all think he'll use some Karate or Judo- nope, he just flips over the guy and takes out his sword, only to kill his enemy. I know it sounds like I'm basing this movie on its fight scenes, but check out its story and cinematography, it's truly amazing. It's great to see how the Yagyu Clan continued to mess with Itto even after they thought that he would be in a great spot to kill.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades (5/5)

Yep. This one starts off extremely screwed up when we see heinous acts committed. Then, a Ronin-turned-mercenary named Kanbei (played by Go Kato, who recently passed away last month, may his soul rest easy) kills off the women and one of the rapists. As the two naked rapists and Master Kanbei are present, Itto of course happens to stroll on by. We then see Itto kill off the two dogs as he rejects an open duel with Kanbei, whom Itto says he would rather see him live the life of an honorable warrior, than a low-life mercenary that he already is. However, we are given some foreshadowing as to whom this "Kanbei" is. As the story progresses, we see that Itto has to bargain to save a young girl who killed off her dealer in an inn. The yakuza led by "Tori" push Itto to give back the woman, as she is now a prostitute. Itto decides to pay for her freedom by getting water tortured, and beaten the hell out of. As of course, this doesn't phase him, he moves on. However, "Tori" wants Itto to talk to Miura, who had his arm accidentally decapitated by Itto years ago when he used to be the Executioner. He of course enlists Lone Wolf and Cub to restore honor by kill Sawatari Genba, who is a formidable foe to Itto with his army. This is first film really to have LARGE scale combat, as Itto slices and shoots (yes, not only with pistols, but through little Daigoro's stroller) his way through the men. You could tell that it took time to make this, as the scenes were planned at a very medium-scale area, and had good choreography. As well as this, Kanbei waits until Itto is done fighting through the armies to challenge him again, at which Itto accepts. After being beaten quickly, we learn the Kanbei had his own dishonorable moment that left castrated of his social level, which was why he wanted to die in the first place. I really love this film as much as the second one, as this really had a great story to it. Never read the manga, but I feel like they took whatever comic panels were prominent and placed them on-screen, it's brilliant. I like the whole Kanbei side story to it as well, as we see that Itto has someone that could actually fight him.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (4.5/5)

Another strong installment. A topless female assassin is known for killing off certain men that are ordered to kill her for a reason. Itto is paid 500 ryu to eliminate the threat. As they travel however, young Daigoro runs off for about 15 minutes into the movie, in which the two must regroup again. Daigoro stumbles upon Gunbei Yagyu, who recognizes who Daigoro is at which he wants to find his father. As Daigoro runs off, he must survive a field fire where he's literally at the center of it. As little Daigoro survives, they two and a half men regroup, where are given a stronger background of Itto. Itto once dueled Gunbei for the sake of the Shogunate Executioner position, at which Itto's sword fell, and Gunbei was disgraced. Itto was given the position by Retsudo in the end, which causes another duel to happen. The thing I don't get is how so much blood came out of Gunbei's arm, that he survives well in the end. As the story progresses, Itto catches up with Oyuki, the assassin, who is haunted by her past. She once had a duel with her teacher, who is able to ignite his weapon as a form of trickery. We learn that he rapes her unconsciously, causing her to run away and tattoo her body, which she learned from her former teacher. Itto challenges her thoughts, as he recalls how she cuts the tops of the assassins' hair off, only to have their families disgraced as well. The instructor gets what he deserves, as Itto keeps his promise to Oyuki and his contractor. In the conclusion, we get one of the best fights in the entire series. Itto goes up against Retsudo and his men, and I have to say, Itto is fast as hell. He runs through these stone mazes like they're nothing, and kills the men off one by one. Then we get to Retsudo, who is skilled in Kobudo as well. He however gets his eye stabbed out but survives, while Itto walks away near dead. This movie was quite intriguing, and I enjoy how the filmmakers transitioned from a mystery tale, to a martial arts spectacle. Definitely check this one out

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (4/5)

This is where I felt like it started to drag a bit. For the first half of the film, Itto is either being challenged to a duel for a larger reason, Daigoro is getting his behind whipped for a good 30 minutes (not literally, or probably as I didn't elapse the time), or you have the pickpocket lady that spends another 30 minutes running away (again, not literally). Itto is assigned to kill a priest that will threaten the land, which of course leads to Retsudo Yagyu (played by ANOTHER actor with whiter hair and less fat) trying to get to the scroll. The second half of this movie is amazing, with a new side of Itto being shown, however, the first half just goes on and on and on and on. Seriously, we could've had another failed attempt by Itto to show how spiritually powerful the priest was. On the other hand, we see this priest get killed in a way I never thought of in terms of assassination, cutting out the bottom portion of where they're at on a boat, which causes the person to fall unexpectedly, and then the boat sinks. We're then treated to a near-naked Itto who must fight off the Shadow Yagyu men who stalked him to his contract. Itto however, must take on more contracts however, which is to kill the Lord and his two most important connections. Fight scenes are great, but that first half could've been better if they shortened the Daigoro and pickpocket scenes. The five challenges however were great to watch.

Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell (5/5)

Okay, I am indeed biased towards this. Wait until you get to the end. Ogami Itto is forced to face the "final" child of Retsudo Yagyu, which is his daughter, who uses deception with her blades to incapacitate her opponents. This of course does not work, as Itto kills her at ease. Old Yagyu must turn to his last hope, which is his outcast son, who is known for raising the dead. As Hyouei Yagyu learns of whom Ogami Itto is, he brings a small group of dead servants to infiltrate Itto and his son. They stalk him from town to town, and kill off the owners and peasants of the inns at which they stay in. They believe that they have struck him with fear, as Itto just goes on to lure out the perpetrator. What I found strange was how they dug their heads into the ground, in which I'm guessing they're "human bulldozers" in digging the dirt to get from place to place? Idk, that's just comics for you I guess lol. As Lone Wolf and Cub brings out Hyouei, the latter's true intentions believe it or not are to have a "samurai duel" with Itto, who 50x more experienced than him, let alone has been wielding a sword from battle to battle. Retsudo Yagyu kills his son for losing the duel, and showing such stupidity and treachery for even thinking of such an idea. This is where the story brings Retsudo to a corner. Itto travels on a snowy mountain, only to be confronted by Retsudo for having killed his children and his troops in revenge. As armies of troops, gunmen, and monks (I was hoping for some Shorinji Kempo action, but that wasn't made until the mid 1900s) gather uphill, we know that we're in for a treat. As sleds come down towards the assassin and his son, young Daigoro is ordered shoot all of the men sledding down onto them. This battle scene is HUGE, as there's about a hundred or more men (in which I read) that filmed this. Old Retsudo tries to fight, but of course, as the kill count increases, he runs. Having abandoned his son nearby to fight off the people with just a sword, he goes back, only to find that little Daigoro yells out "Papa" when we see Itto worried for the first time. As the stroller/ sled with the two warriors roll down, the movie ends at a high point. Regardless of what people say of the last film, I really enjoyed how it ended. The villain runs off and the protagonists live to carry on their lives- leaving our minds to imagine whatever we want.

That's all I have to say, if you haven't seen it already, definitely check it out if you don't mind extraneous blood, and the hard-to-watch sexual themes.

[Takuma]

Great reviews. Very much agreed. I also re-watched the films a year or two ago and write mini-reviews. Here they are

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (Japan, 1972) [35mm] - 4.5/5
The first (but not the best) film in the series established the unique formula, an assassin with a child. What gets mentioned a bit less often is how well director Kenji Misumi utilizes nature in the series, rooting the fantastical storylines to a living world, and bringing the world to life, in a way that many other movies don't. With Misumi's handling of the nature, as well as the father-son relationship, the series got a director that such exploitative films rarely got to enjoy. Equally important was  Tomisaburo Wakayama, a prolific yakuza film actor and frequent comic relief prone to over-acting, who landed the role of his life with the series that put his silent charisma and impeccable sword handling skills to a full use. The first two sequels would further improve with even better action, pacing and character direction. The first film suffers a tiny bit for being a "beginning story". Lone Wolf and Cub would soon become stuff of the legends, and such mythical heroes are only hurt by too much background exposure.   

-

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at River Styx (Japan, 1972) [35mm] - 5/5
The 2nd and best film in the series excels with terrific direction and writing. Especially interesting is the symbiosis between characters and the natural world that is done subtly enough for not every viewer to pay attention to it a on conscious level. The ninja troops move with the wind, the kunoichi women march by the riverside, and the nature heals the injured hero. In the boat scene fire first threatens the protagonist, then water saves him, and few scenes later the climax is set in a desert. There's also a constant feel of thread "in the air", something director Misumi handles amazingly well via top notch use of sound and silence. The atmospheric, near perfect film also comes with memorable characters and amazing action scenes, including a riverside scene that is not only the best scene in the series but one of the finest scenes in any movie. Simply mind blowing. An extra mention must be given to the 4 year old Akihiro Tomikawa who plays Daigoro with amazing silent intensity.

-

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades (Japan, 1972) [BD] - 5/5
This was the first movie with the Bohachi Clan, which would later star in their own two films, starting with Teruo Ishii's mind blowing Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight (1973). The villainous yakuza clan's portrayal in this film is far more restrained, yet it happens to be Ogami's encounter with the clan's female leader that is the film's most intense scene. That can once again be attributed to Kenji Misumi. His direction is amazing throughout the film, both in terms of how he handles characters and in how he shows great restraint in proceeding to the fights. There are many great moments where he lets DoP Chikashi Makiura's camera observe, rather than cut right to the action or use music to tell us what is about to happen. This film is a example of the naturalistic approach that Misumi utilized so successfully in his Lone Wolf films, and which created a perfect counterforce for the storylines that were pure samurai pop fantasy. The film's climax marks the first 1 vs. 100 battle in the series, however, it is the duel between Ogami's and a melancholic ronin that follows that is the best fight. The film's last reel also sees - or rather hears - Wakayama performing a wonderful theme song. An amazing film.

-

Lone Wolf and Cub: Babycart in Peril (Japan, 1972) [BD] - 4.5/5
Another supremely entertaining, only slightly lesser entry. This one was directed by Buichi Saito, a Nikkatsu action director gone freelance after his former employer went Roman Porno. He was not quite Kenji Misumi's equal, which shows in how he places music where Misumi would've used silence - this applies to both action and drama - and tends to give characters unnecessary amounts of exposure with frequent flashback sequences. That is a bit of a shame as the supporting character of Oyuki, a bare breasted swordswoman beating her opponents with her short sword as well as looks, is great. The film also contains wonderful shots of Ogami travelling in the countryside, a beautifully atmospheric hot springs scene, and a shrine ambush that remains shocking to this day in its graphicness. There's also a cool tattoo sub-theme that reminds of Teruo Ishii's films, as does the casting of Asao Koike. Speaking of casting, Retsudo is played in this film by Toei slime bag Tatsuo Endo rather than Yunosuke Ito like in part 1.

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Lone Wolf and Cub: Babycart in the Land of Demons (Japan, 1973) [35mm] - 4.5/5
Kenji Misumi returned to the series with this 5th film without quite reaching the finesse of his finest work. This time Ogami is hired to assassinate a local lord and his entire family. It's a fascinating and morally ambiguous storyline that comes with very strong parts but also some sequences that underline the father-son relationship a bit too much. Daigoro getting in trouble is an example of this. In parts 2 and 3 Misumi was able to achieve similar results more subtly and without words. Another drawback is cinematographer Fujio Morita, whose work lacks the clarity and naturalistic touch of Chikashi Makiura who shot parts 1-3. Ultimately though, these are small flaws in a tremendously entertaining film that comes with loads of wonderful scenes (desert sledge, young lord giving a kill order etc.), fascinating spiritual dimensions and an immersing fantasy world populated by swordsmen, masked clansmen and assassins sailing to a sunset.

-

Lone Wolf & Cub: White Heaven in Hell (Japan, 1974) [BD] - 4.5/5
Under-rated 6th film sometimes gets criticized because it doesn't bring the storyline to a conclusion - thankfully so, because legends like this should not have an ending. The film's first third, which follows Retsudo's daughter seeing vengeance, ranks among the most beautiful segments in the series - and concludes with one of the best duels. Immediately after this the film cuts to funky blaxploitation tunes (not unlike Hanzo the Razor) and then takes a wild turn to the supernatural (Ogami vs. undead ghost warriors) before reaching its huge climax at the snowy mountains. Truly a film of opposites. It all works surprisingly well with a cartful of odd scenes not to be found in any other film of its kind. The huge final battle reportedly took 6 weeks to film and was a great way to retire the series. Direction by Yokai Monsters director Yoshiyuki Kuroda is solid, although not on par with Misumi's. The biggest liability is Isao Kimura who makes an uncharismatic villain.

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[sym8]

Great reviews guys for me River Styx was the best but I also loved the Shogun Assassin American mash up,very atmospheric in a different way to the originals(and loved the voice over and music)👍👍👍

[sym8]

 

[Takuma]

There's no equal to the Lone Wolf and Cub series, but if you're hungry for more, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight (1973) is the second best thing money can buy you. An amazingly visual film full of ninjas, cool fights and psychedelic images. Brilliant pacing as well, and Tetsuro Tamba is great as the protagonist, a nihilist ronin. Just be aware that the original title is "Porno jidaigeki: Bohachi bushido" in case you're looking for family entertainment.

A bit in the same alley is the Hanzo the Razor series (1972-1974) which is all kinds of cool, especially the 2nd film, though the fights are not as good as in Bohachi or Lone Wolf.

I'd personally rank Demon Spies (1974) above the Hanzo films. A lesser known and lesser loved film, I nevertheless think it's a charmingly smutty ninja exploitation film with cool score, great action as well as plenty of sex and the usual relatively good production values you'd expect from a Toho film. I've come to like it more every time I've seen it.  

Oh and of course Lady Snowblood (1973). That one is just a fantastic dark fairly tale with political undercurrents. Not so much of an action film but great revenge tale.

All of the films I listed are based on Kazuo Koike comic books, btw.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Hey Lone Wolf and Cub fans, rejoice, there's a book on the subject coming out!

One of the recent projects I did was the cover art for this exciting new book from Arrow Video. Lone Wolf and Cub are near and dear to my heart. As a lot of you know, they are one of my favorite things of all time. I have and cherish the manga collection, the TV series, the classic 6 films (in nearly every iteration ever released), and the other, lesser known TV films as well. The posters are on my walls, the soundtracks for the films and for SHOGUN ASSASSIN on my I-Pod... To be asked to create the artwork for this book was (and still is) quite the thrill. I'd have been over the moon that this book was even written, especially by an author like Tom Mes whose work I enjoy so much, but to get to be a part of it... wow. Humbled and honored, and very excited to read this book.

 

The publicity release info follows...

 

Arrow Video

 

Time to reveal our Arrow Books release for September…

NEW ARROW BOOKS TITLE: Father, Son, Sword: The Lone Wolf and Cub Saga

Written by Japanese film expert Tom Mes, Father, Son, Sword is the full story behind the films, the manga, and the phenomenon Lone Wolf and Cub.

Pre-order your copy: http://bit.ly/2BjfJWQ

Release date: September 28

 

The gripping saga of former shogunate executioner Itto Ogami and his son Daigoro, better known as Lone Wolf and Cub. Betrayed and exiled by the treacherous Yagyu clan, they wander feudal Japan as assassins on the road to hell.

 

An epic, multi million-selling manga that spanned six years and nearly 9000 pages. A long-running television series that is one of the staples of Japanese broadcasting. And six ferocious, inimitable films that are among the best that Japanese cinema has to offer. More than 40 years after they were made, these films continue to fascinate and enthral viewers the world over.

 

Lone Wolf and Cub and the Baby Cart films are among the true classics of Japanese pop culture. Read and watched all across the globe, they inspired countless filmmakers, comic book artists, and writers, including Quentin Tarantino, Frank Miller, John Carpenter, John Woo, and Takashi Miike.

Written by Japanese film expert Tom Mes, Father, Son, Sword is the full story behind the films, the manga, and the phenomenon Lone Wolf and Cub.

[sym8]

I haven’t seen much Japanese cinema over my 50 years but I have seen these movies many times and love them so this book is a must,great cover 👍👍👍

[Ah_Tao]

After I buy the Criterion Collection?!?!? After watching this series for over 50 times now, this book is definitely gonna be a buy for me. Lone Wolf and Cub has got to be on the best series (and I'm not talking martial arts, just in general) that I own and seen of all time! As always, this artwork is amazing. I love the contrasts of green and yellow, and how they stand out. TBH, I didn't even know Arrow had their publications of books until now. Can't wait!