The Definitive Watch Order & Chronological Timeline
Released: 1965 // Runtime: 90m // Rating: 7.1
After World War II, their town was a pile of rubble. Gennosuke, the second generation boss of the Kamizu Group was upholding yakuza chivalry by keeping black-market and illegal items out of their open-air market. Taking advantage of the mess, Iwasa and his gang take hold of goods from the US military, black-market and controlled items in order to become the most powerful group in Enko area.
Released: 1966 // Runtime: 89m // Rating: 7.0
Hidejiro is a wandering yakuza with a ‘karashi botan’ (Chinese lion and peony) tattoo. Owing a favor to the Soda Family, he kills the boss of the rival Sakaki Family. When the Soda attacks the Sakaki and double-crosses him, with sword in hand, Hidejiro seeks brutal retribution.
Released: 1966 // Runtime: 90m // Rating: 6.0
The karashi Botan returns in the third chapter of the incredible Showa Zankoden series. This time legendary actor Ken Takakura plays Takei Shigejiro of the Shimazu family. When the boss of the Shimazu is killed, Shigejiro takes revenge and is sent to jail. Upon his release, he meets the dying widow of one of hid followers and takes her to her father, Boss Shiomasa, who take him into his family. But when Shiomasa is killed by an old enemy, Shigejiro is obligated to take revenge...
Released: 1967 // Runtime: 90m // Rating: 6.2
Fierce war breaks out when Shujiro’s rival clan attempts to sabotage his lucrative construction business.
Released: 1969 // Runtime: 90m // Rating: 7.5
Hidejirō is sent to prison after killing the boss of a rival family. After being released, he discovers that his family has scattered and he is taken in by a company of quarry workers, whose boss has a strict code of non-violence. When the rival family tries to take over the company and kills their boss, Hidejirō must choose between his promise of non-violence and his yakuza code of revenge...
Released: 1969 // Runtime: 105m // Rating: 0.0
This is the sixth film in the Brutal Tales of Chivalry series
Released: 1970 // Runtime: 92m // Rating: 6.0
Young yakuza Shujiro Hanada goes to prison after losing his cool in a rigged gambling game and slashing a few other players. When he's released in 1927, the world has changed. His sister died in the Great Kanto Earthquake and his father is also gone. His brother Jukichi invites him to stay at his in-laws and works in their family pub. He lies low, helping his blind mother-in-law and slowly developing a relationship with Ikuye, the hostess who helped him before his arrest. But trouble lurks when the resident gang decides to show its strength.
Released: 1971 // Runtime: 97m // Rating: 7.0
The story of a lone wolf struggling with human compassion and duty.
Released: 1972 // Runtime: 95m // Rating: 0.0
The ninth and final film in the Contemporary Tales of Chivalry series.
