Kamikaze, the Adventurer

An ex-Olympic athlete and a student commit cash robbery. Aki Hoshino, a pre-med student, becomes inspired to steal money the school collected as “special fees” from parents wanting to assure their offspring’s’ acceptance into the hallowed institution. He forms an unbeatable alliance with an ex-employee and crime bosses to retrieve the ill-gotten money from the “wrong” hands.

Directed by Ryuichi Takamori, Kamikaze, the Adventurer leans on a strong ensemble — Sonny Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kumiko Akiyoshi — 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 action titles of 1981.