Toei Genre Films (1960s-1980s) Available in HD but Not Released on BD/UHD

[HungFist]

I started a new thread called "Toei Genre Films (1960s-1980s) Available in HD but Not Released on BD/UHD" at BD.com forum in hopes that some distributors would take notice. I will copy the list here as well just in case (took a lot of work to compile it and I don't want it to go missing in case they have some server failure or something)

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=370696

This is a little pastime project I’ve been working on for a while. It's still very much work in progress and will never be complete, but I decided to post it anyway because otherwise I would probably never manage to make it public. I do intend to add new information to the list every once in a while.

As a hard core Toei fan living in Japan, I have access to a fair bit of information regarding new HD masters premiering on Japanese TV or on streaming sites that many people outside of Japan may not be aware of. I’m hoping this list can provide some tips to distributors and fans on what films are available in HD.

Note 1: This list will focus on 60s, 70s, and 80s films only. The main focus is on 70s films. It’s an incomplete and entirely subjective list somewhat influenced by perceived film quality and commercial potential. I do not have time to create a complete list, which would likely be a thousand titles or more.

Note 2: Errors and inaccuracies are possible. I might have misremembered something, or the HD master might not be good enough. The list is only intended to give ideas on what films distributors might want to look into and see for them self if the quality of the master is up to their standards.

Note 3: I will try to delete films from the list when they are issued on English friendly BD or UHD. I've already omitted titles we know US or UK distributors have, like Fukasaku's Violent Panic: The Big Crash (listed on Film Movement's upcoming releases page).

Note 4: This is a list of films available in HD that don't have an English friendly BD or UHD release. Films that do have a BD release but are not English friendly remain on the list.

Note 5: Comments, corrections, discussion, questions are very much welcome.

Note 6: Please do not ask me to send you copies of these films. Instead ask your favourite BD label to release it on disc so that we can all purchase it.


Pinky Violence and Eros (see a separate list for Yuji Makiguchi)

History of the Shogun’s Harem (徳川女系図) (1968). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Hot Springs Geisha series
- Hot Springs Massage Geisha (温泉あんま芸者) (1969). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Geisha 2 (Daring Girls) (温泉ポン引女中)(1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Devil-Tongue Geisha (温泉こんにゃく芸者) (1970). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Earthworm Geisha (温泉みみず芸者) (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike, Miki Sugimoto. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Hot Springs Turtle Geisha (温泉スッポン芸者) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Miki Sugimoto. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Three Little Geisha (温泉おさな芸者) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- G-String Geisha (東京ふんどし芸者) (1975). Sometimes considered part of the Hot Springs Geisha series. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Sex and Life (謝国権「愛」より(秘) 性と生活) (1969). Dir. Ryuichi Takamori. HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2022
Shameless: Abnormal and Abusive Love (異常性愛記録　ハレンチ) (1969). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Girl Boss series (four films)
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Blossoming Night Dreams (ずべ公番長　夢は夜ひらく) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2024.
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Tokyo Drifters (ずべ公番長 東京流れ者) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Ballad of Yokohama Hoods (ずべ公番長 はまぐれ数え唄) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
- Delinquent Girl Boss: Worthless to Confess (ずべ公番長 ざんげの値打ちもない) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
King series (five films)
- King of the Night Life (夜の帝王) (1970). Dir. Buichi Saito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- The Kingpin of Fair Ladies (女たらしの帝王) (1970). Dir. Buichi Saito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya, Yukie Kagawa. Airing in HD on Toei Channel. NOTE: severe color fluctuation, esp. first 30 min.
- King of the Widow-Killers (未亡人ごろしの帝王) (1971). Dir. Makoto Naito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya, Sally May. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- King of Porno (ポルノの帝王) (1971). Dir. Makoto Naito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- King of Porno - Red God of the Turkish Bath(ポルノの帝王　失神トルコ風呂) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Sex Comedy, Quick on the Trigger (セックス喜劇　鼻血ブー) (1971). Silly sex comedy. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Modern Porno Tale: Inherited Sex Mania (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Girl Boss series
- Girl Boss Blues: Queen Bee’s Counter-attack (女番長ブルース　牝蜂の逆襲) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Queen Bee's Challenge (女番長ブルース　牝蜂の挑戦) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Apr. 2023.
- Girl Boss Guerilla (女番長ゲリラ) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel May. 2023.
- Girl Boss Revenge (女番長) (1973). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jun. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Escape from Reform School (女番長　感化院脱走) (1973). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jul. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Diamond Showdown (女番長　タイマン勝負) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2023.
- Girl Boss: Crazy Ball Game (女番長　玉突き遊び) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel Sep. 2023.
Terrifying Girls’ High School series
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Women’s Violent Classroom (恐怖女子高校　女暴力教室) (1972). Available in HD.
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lunch Law Classroom (恐怖女子高校　暴行リンチ教室) (1973). Available in HD.
- Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group (恐怖女子高校　不良悶絶グループ) (1973). Available in HD.
- Note: Part 4 has already been released on US BD by Discotek.
Lustful Shogun and His 21 Mistresses (エロ将軍と二十一人の愛妾) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
Neon Jellyfish series
- A Flower in a Neon Jungle (ネオンくらげ) (1973). Dir Makoto Naito. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
- Neon Jellyfish: Shinjuku Flower Streetcar (ネオンくらげ 新宿花電車) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.
Wild Sex Gang (aka Hell Riders in Kyoto) (狂走セックス族) (1973). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Criminal Woman: Killing Melody (前科おんな　殺し節) (1973). Cast: Reiko Ike, Miki Sugimoto. Available in HD.
Journey to Japan (ポルノの女王 にっぽんSEX旅行) (1973). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Christina Lindberg. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Female Convict Yakuza (女囚やくざ) (1974). Cast: Reiko Ike. HD premiere on Toei Channel Oct. 2023.
Pimp Heaven (Kigeki: Tokudashi himo tengoku) (喜劇　特出しヒモ天国) (1975). Cast: Reiko Ike. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Turkish Bathhouses of Japan (札幌・横浜・名古屋・雄琴・博多　トルコ渡り鳥) (1975). Cast: Meika Seri. Doc with fictional frame story. HD on Toei Channel.
Story of a Nymphomaniac (好色元禄（秘）物語) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Noboru Ando’s Filthy Escape into Sex (安藤昇のわが逃亡とSEXの記録) (1976). Dir. Noboru Tanaka. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
New Female Prisoner Scorpion (新女囚さそり　７０１号) (1976). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
New Female Prisoner Scorpion: Special Cellblock X (新女囚さそり　特殊房Ｘ) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The General and His Empire of Joy (大奥浮世風呂) (1977). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2019.
Harry and His Geisha Girls (生贄の女たち) (1978). Cast: Harry Reems. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Dolls of the Shogun’s Harem (大奥十八景) (1986). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Majoran (魔女卵) (1984). HD master airing on Toei Channel.

Almost everything from here ought to be released! Particularly the Girl Boss series, for which Toei did brand new HD masters in 2023, and Dolls of the Shogun's Harem. The Onsen Geisha series has a hidden gem in form of part two, which starts out normal but then goes completely and violently insane, even bringing in Tatsumi Hijikata's butoh dancers.

Yuji Makiguchi

Shogun’s Sadism (徳川女刑罰絵巻　牛裂きの刑) (1976). Toei Channel HD Premiere Oct. 2022. Earlier German BD exists.
Virgin Breaker Yuki (玉割り人ゆき) (1975). HD premiere on Toei Channel Nov. 2022.
Virgin Breaker Yuki 2 (玉割り人ゆき 西の廓夕月楼) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel Dec. 2022.
Bizarre Crimes of Post-War Japan (戦後猟奇犯罪史) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Hiroshima Honour: Hostage Rescue Tactics (広島仁義　人質奪回作戦) (1976). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Torn Priestess aka Nuns that Bite (女獄門帖　引き裂かれた尼僧) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2023.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (毒婦お伝と首切り浅) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2023.

Toei recently did almost all of Makiguchi's films in HD. These should be ideal for a label into twisted cult eros and horror.

Female Ninjas and Ninja Eros

Female Ninja Magic (くノ一忍法) (1964). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Spying Sorceress (くノ一化粧) (1964). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Ninja Chushingura (忍法忠臣蔵) (1965). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2021
Ninja’s Mark aka The Secret of the Fylfot (忍びの卍) (1968). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2022

The first three films are considered a trilogy. Part one is probably the coolest female ninja film ever. Ninja’s Mark is a pretty cool Norifumi Suzuki ninja body snatcher exploitation film that anticipated Pinky Violence films.

Song of the Night series

Yanagase Blues (柳ヶ瀬ブルース) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Sakariba Blues (盛り場ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Even If I Die (夜の歌謡シリーズ 命かれても) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Isezaki District Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ　伊勢佐木町ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Nagasaki Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ　長崎ブルース) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Harbour Town Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ　港町ブルース) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Villain Blues (夜の歌謡シリーズ　悪党ブルース) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Woman (夜の歌謡シリーズ　おんな) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Street Woman (夜の歌謡シリーズ　女のみち) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Song of the Night: Tearful Love (夜の歌謡シリーズ　なみだ恋) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Blood Stained Love Affair (夜の演歌　しのび恋) (1974). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

These films represent a major though internationally unknown genre of Japanese cinema: nocturnal dramas set in the night life and red light districts (Nikkatsu made loads of these also). Most aren't particularly great, but Song of the Night: Woman is great!

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, Yasuaki Kurata and Tadashi Yamashita Action

Judo for Life (柔道一代) (1963). Cast: Sonny Chiba. Judo biopic, Chiba's first martial arts film. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
Game of Chance series (three films)
- Game of Chance (浪曲子守唄) (1966). Ninkyo film starring Sonny Chiba and 6 year old Hiroyuki Sanada. HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
- Game of Chance 2 (続浪曲子守唄) (1967). Cast: Sonny Chiba & Hiroyuki Sanada. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
- Game of Chance 3 (出世子守唄) (1967). Cast: Sonny Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tetsuro Tamba. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Oct. 2024.
Memoir of Japanese Assassins (日本暗殺秘録) (1969). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Deka series (four films)
- Yakuza Deka (やくざ刑事) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: The Assassin (やくざ刑事　マリファナ密売組織) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: Poison Gas Affair (やくざ刑事　恐怖の毒ガス) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
- Yakuza Deka: No Epitaphs for Us (やくざ刑事　俺たちに墓はない) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Narcotics / Prostitution G-Men (A Narcotics Agent’s Ballad) (麻薬売春Ｇメン) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Narcotics / Prostitution G-Men: Terrifying Flesh Hell (麻薬売春Ｇメン　恐怖の肉地獄) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2014.
Tokyo Seoul Bangkok Drug Triangle (東京＝ソウル＝バンコック　実録麻薬地帯) (1973). Cast: Chiba, Nora Miao. HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb 2021.
Modern Witch Tale: Murderous Love (現代鬼婆考 殺愛) (1973). Manga: Kazuo Koike. Cast: Chiba, Shihomi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2019.
The Karate series (three films)
- The Karate (aka Bronson Lee: The Champion) (ザ・カラテ) (1974). Batshit crazy karate film with Tadashi Yamashita. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
- The Karate 2 (ザ・カラテ2) (1974). Batshit crazy karate film with Tadashi Yamashita and Bolo Yeung. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Aug. 2024.
- The Karate 3 (ザ・カラテ3 電光石火) (1977). Batshit crazy karate film with Tadashi Yamashita. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Sept. 2024.
The Great Chase (華麗なる追跡) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Which is Stronger: Karate or the Tiger (武闘拳　猛虎激殺！) (1976). NEW HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Dragon Princess (必殺女拳士) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2020.
Jail Breakers (脱走遊戯) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (柳生一族の陰謀) [TV series] (1978-1979). Airing in HD on Jidaigeki Channel.
Roaring Fire (吼えろ鉄拳) (1981). Superb HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yagyu abaretabi (柳生あばれ旅) (1980-1981) [TV Series]. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Adventurer Kamikaze (冒険者カミカゼ) (1981). Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
Shadow Warriors I-V 影の軍団 (TV series) (1981-1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yagyu Jubei abaretabi (柳生十兵衛あばれ旅) (1982-1983) [TV Series]. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy (コータローまかりとおる!) (1984). HD master airing on Toei Channel.

The two Narcotics/Prostitution and Tokyo-Seoul are considered a loosely linked trilogy. The first film is one of the best Sonny Chiba films ever and one the best 70s crime films IMO. The third movie co-stars Nora Miao.

Modern Witch Tale is an awesome and totally insane 45 min TV film based on a Kazuo Koike manga, starring Chiba as a 300 year old witch working as an assassin with karate expert little sister Etsuko Shihomi. Perfect if coupled with a feature film.

And why is Roaring Fire not on BD? One of the best Japanese action films ever, with a terrific HD master too. 80s Jackie Chan fans out to love this!

Other Martial Arts Action
Student Yakuza (学生やくざ ) (1974). Yakuza / martial arts hybrid. Cast: Tsunehiko Watase, Rika Aoki, Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.
Wicked Kempo (The Karate Man and the Spy) (極悪拳法) (1974). Cast: Tsunehiko Watase. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

Jitsuroku and Jitsuroku Style Yakuza (see separate lists for Fukasaku and Sato)

A Modern Yakuza: The Code of The Lawless (現代やくざ 与太者の掟) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Humanity and Justice of the Outlaw (現代やくざ 与太者仁義) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Broken Code (現代やくざ 盃返します) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Modern Yakuza: Three Cherry Blossom Blood Brothers (現代やくざ 血桜三兄弟) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza vs. G-Men: Decoy (やくざ対Gメン 囮) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Aesthetics of a Bullet (鉄砲玉の美学) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of Hishakaku: A Wolf's Honor and Humanity (実録・飛車角 狼どもの仁義) (1973) Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Third Generation Yamaguchi Gang (山口組三代目) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
True Story of the Yamaguchi Gang - Life and Death Operations on Kyushu aka Tattoeed Hitman (山口組外伝　九州進攻作戦) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Escaped Murderer from Hiroshima Prison aka The Rapacious Jailbreaker (脱獄広島殺人囚) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Prison Island Riot (暴動島根刑務所) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Robbery, Arson, and Killer Convicts (強盗放火殺人囚) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The Violent Money Network (Company Buggers) (暴力金脈) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the 300 000 000 Yen Case - Statute of Limitations (実録三億円事件　時効成立) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Impact: Prostitution Capital (衝撃!売春都市) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
The International Gang of Kobe (神戸国際ギャング) (1975). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Authentic True Account: Osaka Shock Tactics (実録外伝　大阪電撃作戦) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Hiroshima Honour: Hostage Rescue Tactics (広島仁義　人質奪回作戦) (1976). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Honor of Japan (日本の仁義) (1977). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather (Japan’s Don) (日本の首領) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather: Ambition (日本の首領 野望篇) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion(日本の首領 完結篇) (1978). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Battles without Honor and Humanity: Aftermath (その後の仁義なき戦い) (1979). Dir. Eiichi Kudo. Available on Toei BD.

Tons of cool films here, with the ultra-stylish Yakuza vs. G-Men: Decoy being my top pick. Sadao Nakajima has lots of great ones too, like Escaped Murderer from Hiroshima Prison and Authentic True Account: Osaka Shock Tactics

Junya Sato Yakuza Films

Organized Crime (組織暴力) (1967). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Organized Crime 2 (続組織暴力) (1967). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Organized Crime 3 - Loyalty Offering Brothers (組織暴力　兄弟盃) (1969). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Gambler: Counter-Attack (博徒斬り込み隊) (1971). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Skirmishes(やくざと抗争) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza and Feuds: True Account of the Ando Gang (やくざと抗争　実録安藤組) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the Ando Gang - Story of the Attack (実録安藤組 襲撃篇) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
True Account of the Ginza Tortures (A True Story of the Private Ginza Police) (実録・私設銀座警察) (1973). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Account of the Ando Gang: Killer Younger Brother (Violent Fraternity) (1974) (安藤組外伝　人斬り舎弟). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.

Underappreciated master Sato needs BD releases. Organized Crime 2 is IMO the best proto-jitsuroku style film of the 60s, and True Account of the Ando Gang - Story of the Attack is one of the best undiscovered true account yakuza films!

Kinji Fukasaku

Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley (風来坊探偵　赤い谷の惨劇) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Drifting Detective: Black Wind in Harbor (風来坊探偵　岬を渡る黒い風 ) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Man with the Funky Hat (ファンキーハットの快男児) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Man with a Funky Hat: The 20,000,000 Yen Arm (ファンキーハットの快男児　２千万円の腕) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
High Noon for Gangsters (aka Greed in Broad Daylight) (白昼の無頼漢) (1961). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Proud Challenge (誇り高き挑戦) (1962). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
League of Gangsters (ギャング同盟) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gang vs. G-Men (ギャング対Ｇメン) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Jakoman and Tetsu (ジャコ萬と鉄) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Kamikaze Guy (カミカゼ野郎　真昼の決斗) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but poor master. Colours fluctuate badly.
Rampaging Dragon of the North (北海の暴れ竜) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Ceremony of Disbanding (解散式) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gamblers' Ceremony of Disbanding (博徒解散式) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Bloodstained Clan Of Honor (血染の代紋) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers (人斬り与太 狂犬三兄弟) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Gambling Den Heist (資金源強奪) (1975). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Hokuriku Proxy War (北陸代理戦争) (1977). Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Gate of Youth (青春の門) (1981). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Theater Of Life (人生劇場) (1983). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
House on Fire (火宅の人) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Chaos of Flowers (華の乱) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Lots of cool films here. Gambling Den Heist needs a BD asap! The Threat is probably Fukasaku's best film of the 60s, though High Noon for Gangsters is a real gem as well. League of Gangsters and Gang vs. G-Men are ultra-cool 60s crime pop cinema.

70s Action and Crime

Japan’s Violent Gangs series
- Japan’s Violent Gangs (Japan Organized Crime Boss) (日本暴力団 組長) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan’s Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers (日本暴力団 組長と刺客) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan’s Violent Gangs: Degenerate Boss (日本暴力団 組長くずれ) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Japan's Violent Gangs: Loyalty Offering Murder (日本暴力団 殺しの盃) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Killer’s Hit List (殺し屋人別帳) (1970)
Prisoners' Black List (監獄人別帳) (1970)
Thugs of Shinjuku (新宿の与太者) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: this is sometimes considered part of the Modern Yakuza series.
Viper Brothers series
- The Viper Brothers (懲役太郎　まむしの兄弟) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Aug. 2023.
- The Viper Brothers Rage Again (まむしの兄弟　お礼参り) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 3: Prison Gang 13 (まむしの兄弟　懲役十三回) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 4: The Young Hoodlum (まむしの兄弟　傷害恐喝十八犯) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Mar. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 5: Jail - Living for 4 1/2 Years (まむしの兄弟 刑務所暮し四年半) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Apr. 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 6: Extortion Plot for 3,000,000 Yen (まむしの兄弟 恐喝三億円) (1973). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 7: Up on 30 Charges (まむしの兄弟　二人合わせて３０犯) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
- The Viper Brothers 8: The Scoundler vs. The Viper Brothers (極道VSまむし) (1974). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- The Viper Brothers 9: The Viper Brothers and the Young General (まむしと青大将) (1975). HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
Troops of Darkness (悪の親衛隊) (1971). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
Story of Japanese Bad Men (日本悪人伝) (1971). Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Story of Japanese Bad Men: Travelling Companions to Hell (日本悪人伝 地獄の道づれ) (1972). Cast: Tomisaburo Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Street (不良街) (1972). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Three Lakes Prison: Widespread Brutality (三池監獄　兇悪犯) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Yokosuka Navy Prison (海軍横須賀刑務所) (1973). Cast: Shintaro Katsu. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
Lion Enforcer (唐獅子警察) (1974). HD master airing on Toei Channel
Rugby Yaro (ラグビー野郎) (1976). Cast: Jiro Chiba, Sonny in a cameo role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Great Jailbreak (大脱獄) (1975). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Cast: Takakura, Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
The Detonation series
- Detonation: Violent Riders (爆発! 暴走族) (1975). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Cast: Koichi Iwaki, Sonny Chiba. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
- Detonation: Violent Games (爆発! 暴走遊戯) (1976). Dir. Teruo Ishii. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
Note: the remaining two titles airing in June. Will report back later.
Festival Champ (お祭り野郎 魚河岸の兄弟分) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
The Classroom of Terror (暴力教室) (1976). Cast: Yusaku Matsuda. Airing in HD on Toei Channel, but master may be dated.
Gambling Code and Feuds (仁義と抗争) (1977). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Shinjuku’s Number One Drunk-Killer Tetsu (新宿酔いどれ番地 人斬り鉄) (1977)
Winter's Flower (冬の華) (1978). HD master airing on Toei Channel. 4K master also available.
The Young Animals (皮ジャン反抗族) (1978). Dir. Yasuharu Hasebe. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tarao Bannai series
- Tarao Bannai (多羅尾伴内) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
- The Tragedy in the Devil-Mask Village (多羅尾伴内　鬼面村の惨劇) (1978). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
No Grave for Us (俺達に墓はない) (1979). Cast. Yusaku Matsuda. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Violent Warrior (暴力戦士) (1979). Toei & Teruo Ishii's answer to Walter Hill's The Warriors. HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.

Crazed Beast would make a nice companion for Fukasaku's insane car chase film Violent Panic: The Big Crash. Winter's Flower's is a cool later era Takakura film. The Viper Brothers series seems to be on its way. Part 1 and part 6 (The Viper Brothers: The Blackmailers, by Norifumi Suzuki) at least should please any Toei fan.

60s Action and Crime (highly incomplete list)

Metropolitan Police Department Story 1-24 (警視庁物語) (1956-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Angel (ずべ公天使) (1960). Cool film and likely Toei’s first girl gang film. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
White Powder Terror (白い粉の恐怖) (1960). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Flower, the Storm, and the Gang (花と嵐とギャング) (1961). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Love, the Sun and the Gang (恋と太陽とギャング) (1962). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Life of Blackmail (A Life of Intimidation) (わが恐喝の人生) (1963). Cast. Hiroki Matsukata, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Loyal 47 Gangsters (ギャング忠臣蔵) (1963). Two part Chushingura adaptation. Part 2 was never filmed. Chiba in minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
An Outlaw (ならず者) (1964). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang (東京ギャング対香港ギャング) (1964). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Desperate aka Mud Dog (どろ犬) (1964). Aired in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel.
Detective (刑事) (="Deka". Incorrectly referred as "Keiji")(1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Boss (顔役) (1965). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Meiji Underworld - Yakuza G-Men (Yakuza G-Men) (明治暗黒街) (1965). Dir. Eichi Kudo. Cast: Hiroki Matsukata, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yakuza Hooligans (893 愚連隊) (1966). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Drifting Avenger (荒野の渡世人) (1968). JP western filmed in Australia. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Industrial Spy (産業スパイ) (1968). Cool spy action. Dir. Eiichi Kudo. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

Just a quick shout out to the classic Metropolitan Police Department Story series, a predecessor to Toei's jitsuroku films, scripted by a former Tokyo police coroner. Parts 15&16 (Sonny Chiba's first ever film roles) and 21 (just a damn good film) are particularly notewothy IMO.

Two little seen gems of Japanese noir very worthy of a release: White Powder Terror and The Desperate, the former following a group of undercover narcotics cops in the metropolitan night, and the latter about a dirty cop desperately trying to stay one step ahead of his suspecting colleagues.

Truck Yaro

Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me (トラック野郎 御意見無用) (1975). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals II: Ichibanboshi Runs Wild (トラック野郎 爆走一番星) (1975). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals III: Homesick Ichibanboshi (トラック野郎　望郷一番星) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals IV: Fully Licensed (トラック野郎　天下御免) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals V: Ichibanboshi the Brave (トラック野郎 度胸一番星) (1977). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Sonny Chiba. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VI: Momojiro, The One and Only (トラック野郎　男一匹桃次郎) (1977). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara, Tomisaburo Wakayama. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VII: Close Encounters of the First Star (トラック野郎 突撃一番星) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals VIII: Ichibanboshi Returns North (トラック野郎 一番星北へ帰る) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals IX: A 5,000 Kilometer Blast (トラック野郎　熱風５０００キロ) (1979). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.
Truck Rascals X: Hometown Express (トラック野郎 故郷特急便) (1979). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Released on Toei BD.

One Toei's most popular movie franchises ever and Norifumi Suzuki's most beloved work, this action/comedy/drama series full of touching drama, low-brow comedy, high octane truck chases, and boobs, remains criminally unknown outside of Japan. Sonny Chiba and Tomisaburo Wakayama star as rival truck drivers in parts 5 and 6.

Comic Book Action

Gang of Men (男組) (1975). Dir. Makoto Naito. Martial arts oriented delinquent boy film. Likely HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
Sukeban Deka
- Sukeban Deka (TV series) (スケバン刑事) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Series 2&3 not in HD.
- Sukeban Deka: The Movie スケバン刑事 (1987). Available on Toei BD.
- Sukeban Deka the Movie 2 (スケバン刑事　風間三姉妹の逆襲) (1988). Available on Toei BD.
Big Magnum Kuroiwa (ビッグ・マグナム黒岩先生) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 2 (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎哀歌) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 3: A Delinquent Student March (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール　高校与太郎行進曲) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 4: A Dunce Rhapsody (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎狂騒曲) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School Pt. 5 (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎音頭) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Be-Bop High School 6: The Power (ビー・バップ・ハイスクール 高校与太郎完結篇) (1988). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

80s Action and Crime

The Young Ramblers (Taiyo no kizuato) (太陽のきずあと) (1981). Dir. Chusei Sone. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Yokohama BJ Blues (ヨコハマＢＪブルース) (1981). Cast: Yusaku Matsuda. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
The Shinjuku Love Story (新宿純愛物語) (1987). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Hideo Gosha

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn (丹下左膳 飛燕居合斬り) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather (鬼龍院花子の生涯) (1982). Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel.
The Geisha (陽暉楼) (1983). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Fireflies in the North (北の螢) (1984). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Oar (櫂) (1985). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Wives of the Yakuza (極道の妻たち) (1986). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tokyo Bordello (吉原炎上) (1987)

Ninkyo Yakuza (very incomplete list)

Theater of Life 1-3 (人生劇場) (1963-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 1-4 (次郎長三国志‎) (1963-1965). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man’s Pledge (八州遊侠伝 男の盃) (1963). Cast: Chiezo Kataoka, Sonny Chiba in a minor rolr. Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel. 4K available.
Dragon's Life (Two Lives, Two Yakuza) (竜虎一代) (1964). Cast: Koji Tsuruta, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Tales of Japanese Chivalry 1-11 (1964-1971). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Abashiri Prison 4-18 (網走番外地) (1965-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1. Note 2: parts 1-3 coming from Eureka.
Brutal Tales of Chivalry 1-9 (昭和残侠伝) (1965-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1. Part 1 released on UD BD.
Honor Among Brothers 1-9 (兄弟仁義) (1965-1971). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Blood of Revenge (明治侠客伝 三代目襲名) (1965). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available.
Continental Drifter (大陸流れ者) (1966). Ninkyo movie filmed in Hong Kong. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Expelled by a Man’s Rivals (Tears of Banishment) (男涙の波門状) (1967). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Flower Cards Chivalry (花札渡世) (1967). HD premiere on Toei Channel in 2020.
Gambling Den 1-11 (博奕打ち) (1967-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Part 4 released by Radiance.
Rogue (ごろつき) (1968). Cast: Takakura, Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Histories of the Chivalrous (侠客列伝) (1968). Cast: Takakura, Wakayama, Tsuruta, Fuji. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Theater of Life: Hishakaku and Kiratsune (人生劇場 飛車角と吉良常) (1968). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Gokudō / Scoundrel 1-11 (極道) (1968-1974). Star: Tomisaburo Wakayama. All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Red Peony Gambler 4-8 (緋牡丹博徒) (1969-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K masters available for parts 1 and 3. Parts 1-3 coming from Eureka and Film Movement.
Tales of Japan’s Chivalrous Women 1-5 (日本女侠伝) (1969-1972). All airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
Brothers Serving Time (懲役三兄弟) (1969): Cast: Takakura, Sugawara, Wakayama. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Woman Boss: Chivalrous Fight (女親)　喧嘩渡世) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kanto Street Peddlers series (five films)
- Kanto Street Peddlers (関東テキヤ一家) (1969). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Violent Loyalty (関東テキヤ一家 喧嘩仁義) (1970). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.
- Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Royal Temple Duel (関東テキヤ一家 天王寺の決斗 ) (1970). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Sept 2024.
- Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Violent Fire Festival (関東テキヤ一家 喧嘩火祭り) (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Oct. 2024.
- Kanto Street Peddlers: Shallow Clan Honor (関東テキヤ一家 浅草の代紋) (1971). Dir. Takashi Harada. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Nov. 2024.
House of Gamblers (博徒一家) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Biography of a Chivalrous Man (遊侠列伝) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Rise and Fall of Chivalry (任侠興亡史 組長と代貸) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Chivalrous Woman 1-2 (女渡世人) (1971). Both airing in HD on Toei Channel. Note: 4K master available for part 1.
A Scarred Life (傷だらけの人生) (1971). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A Scarred Life 2: Blood Will Tell (傷だらけの人生　古い奴でござんす) (1972). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Showa Woman Gambler (昭和おんな博徒) (1972). Dir. Tai Kato. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.


Now that Radiance has released Big Time Gambling Boss, the world needs more ninkyo. Theater of Life (1963) is a masterwork and the film that started it all. Red Peony Gambler 5 is my personal favourite yakuza film of all time. And Flower Cards Chivalry is a divine masterpice, basically the Ashes of Time of ninkyo films which mid 90s Wong Kar Wai would have made had he found a time portal to 60s Japan.

War / Military

Listen to the Voices of the Sea (日本戦歿学生の手記 きけ、わだつみの声) (1950). 4K remaster airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Escape (二・二六事件　脱出) (1962). Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
South Pacific Waves Are High (南太平洋波高し) (1962). Cast: Ken Takakura, Sonny Chiba in a minor role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Mid-August Commotion (八月十五日の動乱) (1962). Cast: Koji Tsuruta, Sonny Chiba in minor a role. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Navy (海軍) (1963). Cast: Kinya Kitaoji, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Diaries of the Kamikaze (Classmates) (あゝ同期の桜) (1967). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Takakura, Tsuruta, Chiba, Matsukata. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Last Kamikaze (最後の特攻隊) (1970). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Father of the Kamikaze (あゝ決戦航空隊) (1974). Airing in HD on Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel. 4K master available.

Drama / Musical

Four Sisters (山麓) (1962). Cast: Yoshiko Mita, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
A House in the Quarter (五番町夕霧楼) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Let’s Dance Bon-Odori in Hawaii (夢のハワイで盆踊り) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Here Because of You (君たちがいて僕がいた) (1964). Cast: Kazuo Funaki, Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Dash to the Sun (太陽に突っ走れ) (1966). Cast: Sonny Chiba. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Four Seasons: Natsuko (四季・奈津子) (1980). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Samurai, Ninja, Jidaigeki (crazy incomplete list)

Wind, Woman and Road (風と女と旅鴉) (1958). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Yagyu Chronicles 1-9 (柳生武芸帳) (1961-1964). All airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Musashi Miyamoto 1-5 (宮本武蔵) (1961-1965). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Tale of Oiwa’s Ghost (怪談　お岩の亡霊) (1961). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
In Search of Mother (瞼の母) (1962). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (武士道残酷物語) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. 4K available.
Castle of Owls (忍者秘帖 梟の城) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Warrior of the Wind (風の武士) (1964). Dir. Eiichi Kudo. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
13 Assassins (十三人の刺客) (1963). Eiichi Kudo's masterpiece. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Brave Records of the Sanada Clan (Sasuke and His Comedians) (真田風雲録 ) (1963). Dir. Tai Kato. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Ninja Hunt (忍者狩り ) (1964). Streaming in HD on Amazon Prime Japan.
The Great Killing (大殺陣) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Shogun’s Vault (御金蔵破り) (1964). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Seventeen Ninja 2: The Great Battle (十七人の忍者 大血戦) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Legends of the Poisonous Seductress series
- Female Demon Ohyaku (妖艶毒婦伝 般若のお百) (1968). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
- Quick-Draw Okatsu (妖艶毒婦伝 人斬りお勝) (1969). HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
- Okatsu the Fugitive (妖艶毒婦伝 お勝兇状旅) (1969). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro (木枯し紋次郎) (1972). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Kogarashi Monjiro 2: Secret of Monjiro’s Birth (木枯し紋次郎　関わりござんせん) (1972). Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
The Shogun Assassins (真田幸村の謀略) (1979). Sadao Nakajima film, not the Lone Wolf movie. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Shadow Warriors: Hattori Hanzo (影の軍団　服部半蔵) (1980). Eiichi Kudo film, not the Chiba TV series. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Tokusatsu
World War III Breaks Out (第三次世界大戦　四十一時間の恐怖) (1960). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Others
Pretty Devil Yoko (非行少女ヨーコ) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
Delinquent Boss series
- Delinquent Boss (不良番長) (1969). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.
- Delinquent Boss: Ocho the She-Wolf (不良番長　猪の鹿お蝶) (1969). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Note: the remaining 15 sequels are likely available in HD. I'm working on confirming it.

Disqualified
Crazed Beast aka A Savage Beast Goes Mad (狂った野獣) (1976). Ancient HD master airing on Toei Channel, looks like a bad upscale.

[Guro Taku]

Thanks for taking on this huge task. Hopefully it will get some attention from those making acquisitions at certain labels.

Yuji Makiguchi

Shogun’s Sadism (徳川女刑罰絵巻　牛裂きの刑) (1976). Toei Channel HD Premiere Oct. 2022. Earlier German BD exists.
Virgin Breaker Yuki (玉割り人ゆき) (1975). HD premiere on Toei Channel Nov. 2022.
Virgin Breaker Yuki 2 (玉割り人ゆき 西の廓夕月楼) (1976). HD premiere on Toei Channel Dec. 2022.
Bizarre Crimes of Post-War Japan (戦後猟奇犯罪史) (1976). HD master airing on Toei Channel.
Torn Priestess aka Nuns that Bite (女獄門帖　引き裂かれた尼僧) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Jan. 2023.
Decapitation of an Evil Woman (毒婦お伝と首切り浅) (1977). HD premiere on Toei Channel Feb. 2023.

Toei recently did almost all of Makiguchi's films in HD. These should be ideal for a label into twisted cult eros and horror.

This one is an especially frustrating head-scratcher. I'd have expected at least Shogun's Sadism and Nuns That Bite from a label like Mondo Macabro (or Arrow before they went mainstream) by now. These days, Discotek might also be up for it but their Toei releases appear to be completely random with sequels being released before originals, for example.

I take it his superlative proto-heroic bloodshed epic 広島仁義　人質奪回作戦 (1976) didn't yet get the HD treatment? I'd have guessed the 2017 DVD release would have been based on a HD scan.

Lakes Prison: Widespread Brutality (三池監獄　兇悪犯) (1973). HD master airing on Toei Channel

This should probably say Three Lakes Prison.

[HungFist]

Thanks for taking on this huge task. Hopefully it will get some attention from those making acquisitions at certain labels.

Thanks.

This one is an especially frustrating head-scratcher. I'd have expected at least Shogun's Sadism and Nuns That Bite from a label like Mondo Macabro

Jared from Mondo said he had actually asked about Nuns from Toei about a year ago, but they didn't have it in HD back then. I've informed him about the new HD master.

I take it his superlative proto-heroic bloodshed epic 広島仁義　人質奪回作戦 (1976) didn't yet get the HD treatment? I'd have guessed the 2017 DVD release would have been based on a HD scan.

Very much possible. It has not been on Toei Channel in recent years, however, hence I haven't been able to confirm whether Toei has it in HD or not. I'm sure there are many film missing from my list just because I'm not aware of an existing HD master.

This should probably say Three Lakes Prison.

Hah, true. Copy-paste error. Thanks.

[HungFist]

Recent updates

Pinky Violence and Eros
Delinquent Girl Boss: Tokyo Drifters (ずべ公番長 東京流れ者) (1970). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
Delinquent Girl Boss: Ballad of Yokohama Hoods (ずべ公番長 はまぐれ数え唄) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
Delinquent Girl Boss: Worthless to Confess (ずべ公番長 ざんげの値打ちもない) (1971). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
Lustful Shogun and His 21 Mistresses (エロ将軍と二十一人の愛妾) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike. HD premiere (?) on Toei Channel in May 2024.
King of Porno - Red God of the Turkish Bath(ポルノの帝王　失神トルコ風呂) (1972). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Wild Sex Gang (aka Hell Riders in Kyoto) (狂走セックス族) (1973). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Neon Jellyfish series
- A Flower in a Neon Jungle (ネオンくらげ) (1973). Dir Makoto Naito. Japanese DVD release touted as "HD Remaster" coming Apr. 2024.
- Neon Jellyfish: Shinjuku Flower Streetcar (ネオンくらげ 新宿花電車) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Japanese DVD release touted as "HD Remaster" coming Apr. 2024.

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi and Yasuaki Kurata Action
Game of Chance (浪曲子守唄) (1966). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024. Note: the sequels will likely follow in July-Aug.

Yuji Makiguchi
Hiroshima Honour: Hostage Rescue Tactics (広島仁義　人質奪回作戦) (1976). Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.

70s Action and Crime
The Viper Brothers 5: Jail - Living for 4 1/2 Years (まむしの兄弟 刑務所暮し四年半) (1972). HD premiere on Toei Channel Apr. 2024.
The Viper Brothers 6: Extortion Plot for 3,000,000 Yen (まむしの兄弟 恐喝三億円) (1973). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
The Viper Brothers 7: Up on 30 Charges (まむしの兄弟　二人合わせて３０犯) (1974). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.
Yokosuka Navy Prison (海軍横須賀刑務所) (1973). Cast: Shintaro Katsu. Streaming in HD on Amazon JP.
Festival Champ (お祭り野郎 魚河岸の兄弟分) (1976). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
Tarao Bannai (多羅尾伴内) (1978). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
The Tragedy in the Devil-Mask Village (多羅尾伴内　鬼面村の惨劇) (1978). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. Cast: Akira Kobayashi. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.
Violent Warrior (暴力戦士) (1979). Toei & Teruo Ishii's answer to Walter Hill's The Warriors. HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.

60s Action and Crime
Delinquent Angel (ずべ公天使) (1960). Cool film and likely Toei’s first girl gang film. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2017.
Yakuza Hooligans (893 愚連隊) (1966) . Dir. Sadao Nakajima. Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

Ninkyo Yakuza
Showa Woman Gambler (昭和おんな博徒) (1972). Dir. Tai Kato. Has aired in HD on Toei Channel in 2018.

Jidaigeki
Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (武士道残酷物語) (1963). Airing in HD on Toei Channel. 4K available.
The Ninja Hunt (忍者狩り ) (1964). Streaming in HD on Amazon Prime Japan.
Female Demon Ohyaku (妖艶毒婦伝 般若のお百) (1968). HD premiere on Toei Channel in April 2024.
Quick-Draw Okatsu (妖艶毒婦伝 人斬りお勝) (1969). HD premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Okatsu the Fugitive (妖艶毒婦伝 お勝兇状旅) (1969). HD premiere on Toei Channel in June 2024.

Hideo Gosha
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn (丹下左膳 飛燕居合斬り) (1966). Airing in HD on Toei Channel.

[HungFist]

I thought I’d occasionally post brief introductions with a screen caps for films I highly recommend for a BD / UHD release. So here’s the first one:

Roaring Fire (吼えろ鉄拳) (1981)

This mentally insane, turbo charged action comedy is one of Norifumi Suzuki's most enjoyable films, and at times almost feels like a blue print for 80s Jackie Chan movies. Hiroyuki Sanada stars as a Japanese-American man travelling back to Japan on family affairs only to discover a drug smuggling operation ran by a Japanese neo nazi. The film is packed to the brim with some of the most insane stunts ever seen in a Japanese movie, plus tons of martial arts, ninjas riding bicycles, a girl running topless in slow motion after a monkey steals her bikini top, and more. Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, and Abdullah the Butcher co-star. Insanely highly recommended.

Screen caps from Toei Channel broadcasting (try to ignore the TV level compression)







Mikio Narita


Etsuko Shihomi






I have no idea how Sanada is still alive after some of those explosives going off right next to him






Or how did he survive this? That car is going fast!

[HungFist]

Alright, time for another film introduction.

Now that people have got a taste of ninkyo yakuza movies via Radiance's Big Time Gambling Boss BD, I hope we can also get this masterpiece, which star Tatsuo Umemiya rightfully considers his finest movie.

Flower Cards Chivalry (花札渡世) (1967)

Umemiya stars as a wandering gambler who runs into a young swindler woman (Haruko Wanibuchi) working with an older man (Junzaburo Ban). They are both arrested by detective Ko Nishimura in the opening scene. A year later Umemiya is staying with a sleazy gangster Tatsuo Endo when he comes across that woman and her partner again. Endo lusts for both her (and his own daughter !), while Endo's looney yakuza brother Toru Abe has a thing for Endo's daughter, who in turn has her eye on Umemiya. Strikingly shot in black and white, this film is bursting romantic emotion while also exploding into shocking carnage. It has lengthier, more detailed gambling scenes than any other yakuza film I've seen, and an absolutely astonishing musical score! Had mid-90s Wong Kar Wai found a time portal to 60s Toei Studios, he would have made this film. Call it the Ashes of Time of ninkyo yakuza films. Or the Pale Flower of ninkyo films. Or just masterpiece!

Screen caps from Toei Channel broadcasting

[HungFist]

Next I’d like to introduce a loosely linked trio of Sonny Chiba neo noir / crime films, whose absence on BD is an absolute crime against film community. None of these gems have ever been released outside of Japan.

First up is A Narcotics Agent's Ballad (aka Narcotics / Prostitution G-Men) (麻薬売春Gメン) (1972). Chiba plays an undercover cop who’s infiltrated so deep into a narcotics cartel that it’s no longer clear on what side of the law he’s operating. His wheelchair bound wife spends lonely nights at home while he’s busy breaking into warehouses or banging heroine hookers in hopes of new leads. Meanwhile a pair of police officers (senior Asao Sano and rookie Hiroshi Miyauchi) is assigned to investigate a killing at a gangster operated sex & drugs club. The idealistic rookie is left alone after his partner encounters a horrifying tragedy, and is on an inevitable crash course with Chiba’s hard as nails, “the end justifies the means” cop.

This atmospheric and extremely stylish neo noir is one of Chiba’s best films and a gem of gritty 70s Japanese crime cinema. Well written, with a strong focus on characters and how their work affects everyone around them, the film keeps raising the bets until the tension reaches hair-rising levels. A superb score by Toshiaki Tsushima (Battles without Honor and Humanity; The Street Fighter) completes the package. And there’s tons of nudity.

















The film was followed by a direct sequel Narcotics/Prostitution G-Men: Terrifying Flesh Hell (麻薬売春Gメン 恐怖の肉地獄) (1972), with Chiba returning as the same character, this time dispatched to Okinawa. While not as good as the first film, it’s fast paced crime film with interesting political and racial tensions (it was released some six months Okinawa was returned to Japan), sex and violence, and Chiba smoking three lung cancers' worth of tobacco! Good stuff.

The third movie, Sadao Nakajima’s Tokyo Seoul Bangkok Drug Triangle (東京-ソウル-バンコック 実録麻薬地帯) (1973), is only thematically related, but should be the most interesting of the bunch to some viewers, not least because Chiba’s co-star is Nora Miao. The movie, which was filmed in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong, features Chiba as a trucker who discovers his sister’s death in South Korea may not have been an accident after all. Chiba receives help from a Korean detective (Choi Bong) to track down his sister's runaway gangster husband (Hiroki Matsukata) and his Korean lover (Kim Chang-Suk). The chase takes him from Korea to Hong Kong and eventually Thailand, where Chiba hooks up with a bilingual woman (Nora Miao) and a local tough guy (Chaiya Suliyun).

This is an interesting, atmospheric and well written crime drama, though one should not expect an action fest as the movie is relatively low key. Ichiro Araki’s superb score, Hiroki Matsukata’s terric performance, and Nora Miao’s cleavage are particular stand outs. While not the best film of the three, and I feel it’s very re-watchable and gets slightly better every time I see it.



















The link between these three films, besides the theme, is Tsusai Sugawara, a charismatic political figure who was campaigning against drugs and prostitution. The logo for his association called “Removal of Three Evils - Drugs, Venereal Diseases and Prostitution” appears in some of the films (I'm pretty sure I saw it at the start of Tokyo-Seoul's 35mm print, though not on the digital master), and the man himself acts in all three. Fear not however. These movies came out in true Toei fashion: sexy, sleazy and stylish enough to completely beat the purpose! And all the better for it!



(However, Sugawara's pathos would be back with a vengeance two years later in Tatsuo Umemiya film called Impact: Prostitution Capital (衝撃!売春都市) (1975), which was an unbelievably on-your-face morality tale with an ending that must be seen to be believed).

[Guro Taku]

The film was followed by a direct sequel Narcotics/Prostitution G-Men: Terrifying Flesh Hell (麻薬売春Gメン 恐怖の肉地獄) (1972), with Chiba returning as the same character, this time dispatched to Okinawa. While not as good as the first film, it’s fast paced crime film with interesting political and racial tensions (it was released some six months Okinawa was returned to Japan), sex and violence, and Chiba smoking three lung cancers' worth of tobacco! Good stuff.

There is also that scene at the beginning where a girl trips balls on heroin and falls to her death because of the disorienting heroin hallucinations. That and the confusing accents is what I remember most clearly about it. A proper physical HD release of all three films would be welcome. I have never seen the third one but wouldn't mind fixing that.

[HungFist]

Just a couple of quick updates - part 1/2



Pinky Violence and Eros
Lustful Shogun and His 21 Mistresses (エロ将軍と二十一人の愛妾) (1972). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Reiko Ike. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.

Glad to report the above Norifumi Suzuki / Reiko Ike film, which aired on Toei Channel last night, was a brand new HD masters offering substantial improvements over the old Amazon streaming master (labelled as HD, but see for yourself!). Below is a brief comparison:

Amazon stream


Toei Channel


Amazon stream


Toei Channel

[HungFist]

Just a couple of quick updates - part 2/2

70s Crime and Action
The Detonation series
- Detonation: Violent Riders (爆発! 暴走族) (1975). Dir. Teruo Ishii. Cast: Koichi Iwaki, Sonny Chiba. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.
- Detonation: Violent Games (爆発! 暴走遊戯) (1976). Dir. Teruo Ishii. NEW HD master premiere on Toei Channel in May 2024.

Glad to report these two were also brand new HD masters. Comparison with the older Amazon streaming "HD masters" (yeah, right) below. The last two films in the series, Season of Violence and Detonation! 750cc Tribe, air next month and I think it's safe to assume those will also be new masters.

Detonation: Violent Riders (爆発! 暴走族) (1975)

Amazon Stream


Toei Channel


Amazon Stream


Toei Channel


Amazon Stream


Toei Channel


Detonation: Violent Games (爆発! 暴走遊戯) (1976)

Amazon Stream


Toei Channel


Amazon Stream


Toei Channel

[HungFist]

I woke up a happy man this morning! July is going to be the best Toei Channel month in ages!

Pinky Violence and Eros
Neon Jellyfish series
- A Flower in a Neon Jungle (ネオンくらげ) (1973). Dir Makoto Naito. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, Yasuaki Kurata and Tadashi Yamashita Action
Judo for Life (柔道一代) (1963). Cast: Sonny Chiba. Judo biopic, Chiba's first martial arts film. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
Game of Chance 2 (続浪曲子守唄) (1967). Cast: Sonny Chiba & Hiroyuki Sanada. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.
The Karate (aka Bronson Lee: The Champion) (ザ・カラテ) (1974). Cast: Tadashi Yamashita. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.

70s Action and Crime
Troops of Darkness (悪の親衛隊) (1971). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.

Comic Book Action
Gang of Men (男組) (1975). Dir. Makoto Naito. Martial arts oriented delinquent boy film. Likely HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.

So we are getting the absolute batshit crazy martial arts film The Karate aka Bronson Lee - The Champion (I've never seen the US version, but if the PG rating is correct then it must be a heavily censored version considering all the bloodletting and severed limbs in the Japanese version), with the two equally mad sequels hopefully following in August and September. We get not one but two Sonny Chiba gems in form of his first martial arts film Judo for Life which depicts the birth of Judo (based on the same story as Akira Kurosawa's Sanshiro Sugata) and the very solid ninkyo film Game of Chance 2 starring Chiba and 6 year old Hiroyuki Sanada. The sequels will hopefully follow in August (the 2nd Judo flick is incredibly rare, downright impossible to see). There's also the first Neon Jellyfish which got released on DVD a few months ago, with the 2nd film hopefully airing in August. A bit lesser but still nice addition to the HD catalogue are Kazuhiko Yamaguchi's humoristic yakuza actioner Troops of Darkness and Makoto Naito's martial arts heavy delinquent boy film Gang of Men (again, sequel likely in August) though I'm not sure if this is the first time it airs in HD.

[HungFist]

Just for one post, I thought I’d do something different. Here are some TOEI GEMS THAT DO NOT HAVE AN HD MASTER. Any label that has the power to influence Toei, or the resources to conduct their own scan, should consider these titles.

1. School of the Holy Beast (聖獣学園) (1974). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki.
Norifumi Suzuki’s masterpiece might be the greatest nusploitation film ever made. In the DVD era two different masters were in distribution. Toei’s own master (also released on US DVD) had a strong blue/green tint, while the beautiful French Studio Canal DVD (likely derived from a French print) had a neutral color timing that elevated the film’s beautiful visuals to a new level.

Toei DVD


Studio Canal DVD


more detailed comparison (NSFW):
viewtopic.php?t=6898

2. Army Intelligence 33 (陸軍諜報３３) (1968). Cast: Sonny Chiba & Mako Midori.
This incredibly stylish WWII neo noir / commando action cocktail is a true Sonny Chiba gem. Chiba stars as a suave government spy first tasked with stealing secret information from a foreign diplomat in Japan (in the film’s hugely atmospheric film noir part), and later sent on a jungle commando mission in the action packed climax.



3. Female (牝) (1964). Dir. Yusuke Watanabe.
This astonishing Mako Midori passion noir that feels like something co-directed by Wong Kar Wai and Shinya Tsukamoto. It’s a convoluted, but breathtakingly filmed tale of a disturbed young woman (Midori) spending her nights with a married man and jealously spying on his wife during the daytime. This film, along with other Midori gems like Two *****es (aka Night Ladies) (二匹の牝犬) (1964), are long overdue international discovery. They were the first wave in Toei’s b-film production line focusing on erotically charged urban tales, which later gave birth to Pinky Violence.









4. Bullets of Slacker Street (aka Operation Diamond) (遊民街の銃弾) (1962).
This mind-blowing pulp action thriller resembles Fukasaku's High Noon for Gangsters, and is just as exciting. A hard core criminal of unknown nationality (Tetsuro Tamba) learns about diamonds hidden inside a US army base from a cellmate / army deserter (Issac Saxson), and starts planning a prison escape. He puts together a pack of international convicts and receives help a second group (Ken Takakura, Harumi Sone, Yoshiko Sakuma) outside the prison who are also after the diamonds. A thrilling gangster actioner packed with style, suspense, and fantastic gunplay. At 82 minutes it isn't ruined with excess length either.



5. Secret Information (密告) (1968). Dir. Masaharu Segawa.
Perhaps Noboru Ando's best film. Superb revenge noir with a heavy Melville vibe. Ando plays a bitter gangster just out of prison, quietly searching for the traitor who sent him behind bars eight years earlier. There’s an evident European new wave vibe to the film, which is almost experimental in its editing, sound design and minimalism. That being said, it’s still a Toei gangster picture with the expected gunplay, car chases, and a shade of romance.



6. Red Flowers of the Harbour Mist (霧の港の赤い花) (1962). Dir. Shinji Murayama.
Another hidden gem of Japanese noir here. Koji Tsuruta plays a yakuza who falls in love with married woman (Kyoko Kagawa), whose husband is away on a trip. The relationship starts out platonic, but Tsuruta wants to take it a step further, much to the confusion of Kagawa who is not quite sure of her feelings. A supremely stylish and atmospheric tale of doomed lovers, packed with lyrical scenes full of lights and shadows, and drawing from Tsuruta's melancholic, tortured persona.










7. Hanjiro, A Great Philanderer (下苅り半次郎　マル秘観音を探せ) (1975).
A crazy ninja exploitation film based on a Kazuo Koike (Lady Snowblood, Lone Wolf and Cub) manga. An Iga ninja is tasked with finding a mating partner for the shogun. The previous girl the shogun slept with gave birth to a snake, so he was understandably upset. A magician tells them them they need to find a woman with a special womb. She will have a mole in her forehead, and her vagina will shine brightly when she's at the peak of her pleasure (seriously, I'm not making this up). A lavish Toei production without a hint of self irony! There are some unbelievable scenes like Ibuki having sex with a woman who is about to be executed, hanging upside down on a cross, and Ibuki is throwing bombs to keep the guards at bay until he'd done with her. Wow!

(p.s. somebody please get similar manga exploitation films out of the Toho prison. Hanzo the Razor 1-3, Demon Spies, Shadow Hunter 1-2, and Rica 1-3 all have HD masters available)

8. Love School (恋愛学校) (1962).
Finally, a bit of an outlier, but this super stylish modern girl's love comedy co-starring Sonny Chiba is so cool! Best friends Yoshiko Sakuma and Mayumi Ozora go boy hunting (looking for dates) with the former at one point finding herself harassed by an old geezer. To rescue comes young man Chiba, driving a vintage vehicle that looks like a slightly upgraded version of T-Ford. This is quite a progressive youth film all the way from trendy English title (though spelled Renai gakko in kanji, the intended furigana reading is Love School) to a charmingly modern heroine and an underlying message 'follow your heart, not your family' advocated by the protagonist's "love radical" grandma (Tokyo Story’s awesome Chieko Higashiyama). For Chiba fans these romantic films predating his bad mofo reputation by a decade are a most pleasant discovery.










Sorry for any typing mistakes and incoherence, I typed this in a hurry. Gotta jump on a plane and fly to Tokyo to catch 35mm screenings of Nuns that Bite, Hairpin Circus, super rare "Toei New Porno" films from mid 70s, and more.

[Guro Taku]

7. Hanjiro, A Great Philanderer (下苅り半次郎　マル秘観音を探せ) (1975).
A crazy ninja exploitation film based on a Kazuo Koike (Lady Snowblood, Lone Wolf and Cub) manga. An Iga ninja is tasked with finding a mating partner for the shogun. The previous girl the shogun slept with gave birth to a snake, so he was understandably upset. A magician tells them them they need to find a woman with a special womb. She will have a mole in her forehead, and her vagina will shine brightly when she's at the peak of her pleasure (seriously, I'm not making this up). A lavish Toei production without a hint of self irony! There are some unbelievable scenes like Ibuki having sex with a woman who is about to be executed, hanging upside down on a cross, and Ibuki is throwing bombs to keep the guards at bay until he'd done with her. Wow!

It's no great secret that this is very high up on my list of unavailable films I finally want to be able to see but they're 100% saving this one for after Goro Ibuki dies.

[HungFist]

First, a bit of bad new. For some damned reason, neither Game of Chance 3 nor Judo for Life 2 are in Toei Channel's August schedule. Both series will be left incomplete for now.

Then the good stuff:

Pinky Violence and Eros
Neon Jellyfish: Shinjuku Flower Streetcar (ネオンくらげ 新宿花電車) (1973). Dir. Kazuhiko Yamaguchi. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, Yasuaki Kurata and Tadashi Yamashita Action
The Karate 2 (ザ・カラテ2) (1974). Batshit crazy karate film with Tadashi Yamashita and Bolo Yeung. HD premiere on Toei Channel in July 2024.

Other Martial Arts Action
Student Yakuza (学生やくざ ) (1974). Yakuza / martial arts hybrid. Cast: Tsunehiko Watase, Rika Aoki, Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.
Wicked Kempo (The Karate Man and the Spy) (極悪拳法) (1974). Cast: Tsunehiko Watase. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

60s Action and Crime
Industrial Spy (産業スパイ) (1968). Cool spy action. Dir. Eiichi Kudo. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

Ninkyo Yakuza
Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Violent Loyalty (関東テキヤ一家 喧嘩仁義) (1970). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in August 2024.

Also so some bad. After taking a closer look, I've:

Disqualified
Crazed Beast aka A Savage Beast Goes Mad (狂った野獣) (1976). Ancient HD master airing on Toei Channel, looks like a bad upscale.

[HungFist]

Not so much of particular interest in Toei Channel's September schedule, but there is at least:

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, Yasuaki Kurata and Tadashi Yamashita Action
The Karate 3 (ザ・カラテ3 電光石火) (1977). Batshit crazy karate film with Tadashi Yamashita. HD premiere on Toei Channel in September 2024.

Ninkyo Yakuza
Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Royal Temple Duel (関東テキヤ一家 天王寺の決斗 ) (1970). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Sept 2024.

Pinky Violence and Eros
King of the Night Life (夜の帝王) (1970). Dir. Buichi Saito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Sept. 2024.

King of the Night Life is probably not gonna be a very good film, but I'm super excited to get one film closer to having seen every Toei film from the 70s. I'm at 93% on this list
(yes, it's missing a couple of dozen titles)

[HungFist]

I'm a little late with my October update as I was in Tokyo when the month changed. Watched Stray Cat Rock, Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lynch Law Classroom, Wandering Ginza Butterfly, Sex and Fury, The Red Silk Gambler and Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group at Laputa Asagaya. The last four of them back to back. All 35mm of course. The film prints for Wandering Ginza Butterfly and The Red Silk Gambler were among the most beautiful I've ever seen. I'd be a really happy man of we got BDs or UHDs that look even half as good.

Anyway, so good news for October. After taking a two month break, Toei WILL be finishing Chiba's Game of Chance series. Also, they will be premiering another King film which probably won't be a good film but gets me closer to my life goal (of seeing every 70s Toei film!)

Pinky Violence and Eros
The Kingpin of Fair Ladies (女たらしの帝王) (1970). Dir. Buichi Saito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya, Yukie Kagawa. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Oct. 2024.

Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, Yasuaki Kurata and Tadashi Yamashita Action
Game of Chance 3 (出世子守唄) (1967). Cast: Sonny Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tetsuro Tamba. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Oct. 2024.

Ninkyo Yakuza
Kanto Street Peddlers Clan: Violent Fire Festival (関東テキヤ一家 喧嘩火祭り) (1971). Dir. Norifumi Suzuki. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Oct. 2024.

[HungFist]

Very little to post about recently. Nov. and Dec. combined:

Pinky Violence and Eros
King of the Widow-Killers (未亡人ごろしの帝王) (1971). Dir. Makoto Naito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya, Sally May.
King of Porno (ポルノの帝王) (1971). Dir. Makoto Naito. Cast: Tatsuo Umemiya.

(these two may possibly have had their HD premieres already before)

Ninkyo Yakuza
Kanto Street Peddlers: Shallow Clan Honor (関東テキヤ一家 浅草の代紋) (1971). Dir. Takashi Harada. Cast: Bunta Sugawara. HD premiere on Toei Channel in Nov. 2024.