Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy

Lewd, long-haired karate kid Kotaro Shindo spends his days causing amok at the prestigious Tsurugamine Academy, until the Disciplinary Committee decides enough is enough, and puts a bounty on his luscious locks. Meanwhile other sinister forces are working in the shadows to put Kotaro to use for their own ends.

Directed by Norifumi Suzuki, Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy leans on a strong ensemble — Hikaru Kurosaki, Kenji Ohba, Mari Chihara — 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 comedy titles of 1984.