True Account: The Higashi-gumi Conflict — The Smile of Enma

An action drama that depicts the history of the fierce gang conflicts of the Higashi-gumi—renowned nationwide as an ultra–combat-oriented syndicate—brought to life with a star-studded cast including Hakuryu and Hideo Nakano. In the brutal battleground of Osaka, the Higashi-gumi managed to remain independent and avoid submission to any larger syndicate. Their survival was owed entirely to the overwhelming charisma of the boss and his younger brother. Set in Nishinari—known as the “Mecca of Osaka’s yakuza”—this true-crime yakuza epic portrays the rise of the ultra-combat-oriented Higashi-gumi, a syndicate that maintained its independence without ever bowing to any major organization. With overwhelming charisma, the Higashi-gumi boss, Higashi Kiyoshi, and his younger brother Isamu carve out their own dominant presence in Osaka through their extreme, unapologetic brutality.

Directed by Hiroyuki Tsuji, True Account: The Higashi-gumi Conflict — The Smile of Enma leans on a strong ensemble — Hitoshi Ozawa, Hakuryu, Koujiro Shimizu — 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 2004.