Scars and Codes 4

Anzai Takashi (Koichi Iwaki), the leader of the Anzai-gumi, enjoys poker at the Kishochokai’s underground casino. Meanwhile, a heated poker duel unfolds between female gambler Himiko (Sayaka Tsuruta) and university student Kota Katori (Shota Haruta). Kota loses, wiping out ¥2 million. Tokunaga (Masami Tate), a half-gangster, schemes to clear his ¥5 million debt by using Kota in a rigged game but gets caught, increasing his debt to ¥7 million. The next day, Tokunaga disappears, leaving Kota to shoulder the debt. Desperate, Kota’s girlfriend, Anna (Mari Yamaji), returns to her family home and explains the situation to her mother, Reiko. Seeking help, Reiko turns to her husband, who is none other than Kawabe Akira (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi), the Anzai-gumi’s second-in-command.

Directed by Yūji Minato, Scars and Codes 4 leans on a strong ensemble — Koichi Iwaki, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Junichi Kawamoto — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2019.