The Last Loyalty Offering

The Umezu-gumi stands in opposition to the Iwasa-gumi, which rules the streets. In this city where tensions remain on the brink of explosion, Hideki Minashima is released from Osaka Prison. He visits Iwasa to convey the final words of Shimizu, with whom he had shared a cup of sake as brothers whilst in prison. Meanwhile, Umezu’s expression changes upon meeting Minashima. For he was none other than the former boss of the Kobe Kazama-gumi—the parent organisation of the Umezu-gumi. Twelve years earlier, the boss had been stabbed to death, leading to the dissolution of the group; senior members Hirokawa, Kurahashi and Kudo had each gone their separate ways. Iwasa, who had become enamoured with Minashima—who was devoting himself to training with the aim of one day rebuilding the group—proposed handing over the position of second-in-command to him. Umezu, however, betrayed the code of honour of the underworld and turned his blade against Minashima...

Directed by Takeshi Watanabe, The Last Loyalty Offering leans on a strong ensemble — Koujiro Shimizu, Masashi Ishibashi, Arase — 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 1995.