Saburo Kitajima, one of Japan’s most famous Enka singers, returns in the fifth of the Kyodai Jingi series. During the early 20th century, Ryuji from Asakusa, a wandering yakuza, joins the Narumi Family in Yokohama. However, when he confronts Shiotaro, the head of the rival family, Ryuji takes a liking to him. He ends up leaving his current family, and becomes close to Shiotaro like brothers swearing to become a full-fledged yakuza.
Acting
Kitajima's brooding charisma carries every scene.
Direction
Yamashita's confident, economical storytelling.
Director
Kōsaku Yamashita
Saburo Kitajima
Ryuji Bando
Kyōsuke Machida
Masakichi Nanbu
Koji Tsuruta
Chojiro Inagami
Hideo Murata
Tsunekichi Yamaoka
Bin Amatsu
Naruto Kaiji
Tatsuo Endō
Kanda Tsurumatsu
Ryōsuke Kagawa
Shiotaro Nanbu
Naoko Kubo
Omino
Yukiko Ninomiya
Osue
Naomi Fujiyama
Osayo
Shin Tokudaiji
Manzo
Shōtarō Hayashi
Shohachi Shiotsu
Akira Shioji
Juzo Onimaru
Shinji Amano
Isoji Kurashima
Masaomi Kondo
Yoshitara Katsuzo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Kyodai Jingi series helped define ninkyo eiga, the chivalrous yakuza genre that dominated Japanese cinema before Kinji Fukasaku's grittier reboot.
Saburo Kitajima was already a massive Enka star—casting him as a wandering tough guy was like if Elvis kept playing rebels, but with more kimono.
JP
