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Movie Info & Details
Release Year1981
Runtime1h 55m
LanguageJapanese
CertificationNR
GenresDrama, Action
Votes5
DirectorKazuyuki Izutsu
WritersTakuya Nishioka
TypeFeature Film
Rating5.0 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsEmpire of Kids
About Empire of Kids
Following a stint in reform school, Ryu (Shinsuke Shimada) returns to his home, the Minami area of Osaka, accompanied by his new friend Ko (Takeshi Masu). He's greeted by his friends, Chabo (Ryusuke Matsumoto) and Ken (Bang-ho Cho). They seek to forge their own path through a multitude of rival gangs in Kita and Minami, including the Hokushin Alliance, backed by the yakuza, the Hope Association, and various other minor factions, including Zainichi Korean groups. What follows is a wild, fast-paced story of violence, revenge, betrayal, and discrimination, that never loses its sense of humor.
Directed by Kazuyuki Izutsu, Empire of Kids leans on a strong ensemble — Shinsuke Shimada, Ryusuke Matsumoto, Bang-ho Cho — 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 drama titles of 1981.
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