Hey guys, my first edit of this was blocked. Can everybody now see it? Sadly I had to re-edit this so some of my more nuanced points about silence (which utilised long takes without narration) had to be removed. The commentary is still there but the gaps between my narration are shorter. Sadly nothing I can do about this!
I'm just glad you turned it around so fast! I clicked on your video but didn't watch immediately and it was claimed by the time I went to that tab. Both you and those copyright vultures work very fast.
Works for me. As a RUclipsr, the algorithms failure to acknowledge fair use mixed with it’s ability to pick up copyrighted material, is utterly frustrating. Good video still. :)
When I was little, my father was famous. He was the greatest Samurai in the empire, and he was the Shogun's decapitator. He cut off the heads of 131 lords for the Shogun. It was a bad time for the empire. The Shogun just stayed inside his castle and he never came out. People said his brain was infected by devils, and that he was rotting with evil. The Shogun said the people were not loyal. He said he had a lot of enemies, but he killed more people than that. It was a bad time. Everybody living in fear, but still we were happy. My father would come home to mother, and when he had seen her, he would forget about the killings. He wasn't scared of the Shogun, but the Shogun was scared of him. Maybe that was the problem. At night, mother would sing for us, while father would go into his temple and pray for peace. He'd pray for things to get better. Then, one night the Shogun sent his ninja spies to our house. They were supposed to kill my father, but they didn't. That was the night everything changed, forever.
The Tokugawa Shogunate took an iron-fisted approach in controlling the daimyo lords with their han domains within Japan. Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord his title and his family land. In this reign of terror, three separate agencies were created. First, a network of ninja spies called Oniwaban, or Garden Wardens, was tasked to seek out reasons to abolish the han domains. Second, Shikaku, or Assassins, were charged with killing domain officials who might obstruct the Shogunate's political will. Third, to assist condemned daimyo lords perform the seppuku self-execution, the Kaishakunin, the Executioner, was tasked to be their second - their final - decapitator. The spy network was operated by the Kurokuwa clan. The assassinations were performed by the Yagyu clan. And... Itto Ogami was the Shogunate's Official Kaishakunin Executioner, privileged to wear robes bearing the Hollyhock Crest of the Tokugawa clan.
Excellent review... an honorable mention would be the scene where Daigoro(Cub) keeps his mouth shut like a soldier and takes a beating for the lady pick pocket... this very act of bravery from a kid that doesn't even speak, or cry, makes her repent and give up her thieving ways.
When I was a teen I couldn't wait to get to the theatre (in little Tokyo) to see all of the Lone Wolf and Cub movies (Japanese versions). I've recently watched them again and still find them to be magnificent films. I haven't seen Shogun Assassin made of bits and pieces of the '70s series. None of the streaming services seem to have it. Perhaps someday they will. If you want to talk about a lasting impression I practice Iai (Japanese swordsman ship) daily. It's a great form of exercise for an old guy like me.
Gza is pronounced like this Jizz-A. I love Shogun Assassin, the horrible over dub just adds it. Probably my favorite Samurai Movie ever. This same Criterion set is over $100 USD on the US Amazon but the UK Amazon version of the exact same set is only $55 USD 🤔 Guess I'm ordering the UK version
I CANNOT believe you just posted this. Goddamn. Every video you upload is a masterpiece. I just finished rewatching an episode of Samurai Jack where he finds his old home. And indeed there is a lone wolf and cub reference outright! Was looking this up last night and you just uploaded this video Wow
such a wonderful series. Stumbled upon it when I was in the middle of my "discovering asian cinema phase" and these are soooo good. And I'd disagree with you... Sword of vengeance is an absolute classic at least to me
I would play the shit out of a Lone Wolf and Cub game. Hopefully Ghost of Tsushima will scratch that itch, and Sekiro when I finally get round to playing it
I borrowed all of these films (VHS) from my neighbor in the year 2000. These series interested me so much, that I started to take notes of character names, actor names, I draw pictures, and generally were completely obsessed with this.
Outstanding analysis of the series. Both the Manga and the 6 film series are absolute masterpieces in their respective mediums! My highest recommendation for both.
Excellent series. I also highly recommend you check out the original Zatoichi films, they are sublime. Wakayama Tomisaburo (Lone Wolf) and Shintaro Katsu (Zatoichi) were brothers IRL.
Thanks so much for doing this! As an American I was first exposed to this seeing Shogun Assassin on Cinemax in about 1985 or so, then later I started buying the original films on VHS from a company called Animeigo, and finally today I have them all on Blu-Ray. I usually end up watching all of these in order about once a year. It is one of my very favorite film series of all time. Very striking use of scenery, color, and as you point out, often silence.
I love these films. I wish there had been an anime that adapted the entire original run of the manga. The story actually comes to a conclusion, whereas in the films it doesn't, and it captures the Japanese Buddhist notion of transience and all life having its time.
glad to see someone say this, the mangas are incredible with the way they describe buddhism, it heavily affected me and my beliefs. would be such an amazing anime
I have to admit that you're right about the brutality of the films. I enjoy them a great deal when I'm looking for some good action but no kids allowed. The silence, in my opinion, adds more focus to what is happening. Less distraction for the ear. And there are some beautiful locations to admire.
I own and love the full manga series and always thought of the movies as a bit of a joke, and hence never saw them. Thank you for this perspective! I am glad to realise that they have something to offer.
My dad showed me shogun assassin when i was a young boy, i feel instantly in love it alongside Arnold's Conan the barbarian. Years later I found about the lone wolf and cub film series as well as the magna collection. Great video Ross, keep up the good work sir.
Dude. I'm so glad I ran into this channel. You've opened me up to a lot of great content I was previously unaware of. Many channels on youtube have been caught up in this super-hero movie craze and that stuff is really stale. I love your content and keep up with the good work.
Just finished the series. Absolutely amazing. Hard to put into words how much i enjoyed these movies. Makes me wonder what else is out there to be discovered.
I remember seeing Lone Wolf and Cub ("Der Wolf mit dem Kind" if I remember correctly) sporadically in the early 2000s on german late night TV. I never watched all of it but I always remembered "the Samurai with the baby carriage" (at least that's what I called it back then and tbh it isn't such a bad title). I still haven't seen all of it but your video has convinced me into going at it once again. I think the moments of silence are what makes it stand out nowadays.
This is an amazingly great series of films. The story about the woman with the tattoo is particularly tragic. I will not leave a spoiler because that would be rotten. However, I thought the last two films were a little over the top until that very last scene, and I mean the last 30 seconds of the 6th film---it says everything. Excellent conclusion. I'd love to talk about it with someone, but no one I know has seen this series, outside of my wife. She appreciated Akira Kurosawa's influence to the films, but she also thought the violence gets a little campy in the last couple episodes. The first two parts are amazing though, and as I said, the final 30 seconds of part 6 is critical to understanding the depth of the hero's redemption or damnation. --- I said I wouldn't spoil. :D
Fantastic post ! Seen all of them many times over. You hit it on the head why these films are so good. The sword fighting scenes are breathtaking! Tomisaburo Wakayama's skill with a sword is unrivalled! Legend !
And to think, I didn't know I was watching a LEGEND as a kid when I first saw Black Rain. Even crazier, Shintaro Katsu was originally going to play the veteran cop instead of Ken Takakura. So you'd have had Itto and Ichi in one movie. Which happened in one of the Ichi movies.
I am a big comic fan and I remember buying the manga series way before they were translated based on Frank Miller talking about the series and how it influenced his Daredevil stories, the true origin of the Hand. But almost two decades earlier I was living in San Francisco and saw Sword of Vengeance at the Japanese Cultural Center. Later saw Lightning Swords of Death in American theatres. I didn't put the manga with the films until I got them on dvd. Have the Criterion blu ray collection and they're amazing. All the stunts and sword technique are done old school, no CGI. The main star was an Iaido master which is why the sword choreography is so impressive. Haven't seen the Mandalorian but can imagine the connection.
I saw shogun assassin when i was younger ,then found the manga at a comic shop i got the whole set.then got the lone wolf and cub movies enjoyed them immensely. While watching the mandalorian i said it reminds me of lone wolf and cub
Wonderful presentation. I love Shogun Assassin and the Lone Wolf and Cub movies, they are beautifully made. I haven’t seen them in a long time, I might have to look for these again.
Been watching these films throughout 2022. They are amazing. I think with age, the cheese ball silliness sometimes if them break up the more serious bits and disturbing parts to make them more digestible and more easily watched. Samurai Jack is a great homage to this franchise.
Absolute perfect review! You got all the key points and gave the movies the repuatation they deserve. Okami/LW&C is poetry written with a splash of blood. My absolute favourite alongside Conan and Boorman's Excalibur.
This was a spectacular review and I will be definitely checking out this films, you know your action and I've learned of films not even I have heard of since watching your channel
I'm trying! Usually about a 2 week turnaround at the moment, I am a full time freelance editor in addition to doing this so that's usually about as fast as I can do it. Until I can get paid to do this full time!
Great video! I have seen SHOGUN ASSASSIN, and read the first Lone Wolf & Cub Omnibus from Dark Horse, I bought the Criterion set and cannot wait to dive in!!
The soundtrack for Shogun Assassin is NOT cheesy and it's NOT 80s. It's fucking majestic and it is performed by the amazingly dope German 70s prog band CAN. They survived into the 80s and beyond, but the music used in the film is 70s era. The American producers thought they could just steal CANs music and use it without permission. And I guess they were right. And the world is a better place for it.
It's funny to point out that that scene in Sanjuro was a mistake. The special effects guy didn't know he had the pressure so high and, Kurosawa being a perfectionist, was afraid Kurosawa was going to yell and belittle him. Instead Kurosawa loved it so much he didn't changed it all.
I dont want to sound like "that guy" but in this case I guess I will, the movies are fine but the manga is an incredible piece of work, this is a manga of the early 70s and it looks amazing, what artist Goseki Kojima did was truly phenomenal in portraying the nature scenery and violence (it is a very violent read), the first half is a bit repetitive but that last act uffffff and that ending is sooo epic, probably one of the most epic in any medium. Anyways great video as always Rossatron, I cant believe this dude doesnt have a 1m subs, great quality content.
I will track these films down. I read several volumes of the manga years ago. I even remember a Samurai Jack episode that shows a moment with the title characters. Thinking of the films this series has influenced such as Mad Max 2 and even Logan.
Excellent overview of the series. I am a huge fan of the Manga but was on the fence about these movies. Your breakdown convinced me to try out the Criterion collection.
Great video! I wonder if you'd consider delving into Samurai Jack's or Gendy Tartakovsky's work in general (cough, clone wars) use of sound if the topics aren't too similar
Yes! I just commented on this vid that i was rewatching an episode where jack finds his home in ruins and there is an outright reference to this story of Lone wolf and cub. Also the entire plot of a future episode is based on this same story. Samurai jack is a simple masterpiece in how they convey so much information and emotion through lack of sound.
I was recommended to watch these films back in 2019 from a distant relative, but I didn't really look into it until I saw this video. It took me awhile but I finally gotten my hands on the Criterion Collection and just finished the sixth movie today. Easily one of the best Samurai films out there; I can see why it inspired so many films, games and directors.
How do you guys all know that, but not notice that Daigoro is pronounced Die-gore-O? And to the author of the video, screw the pronunciation. You did a hell of a job. Lone Wolf and Cub is one of my favorites, and you did email solid man.
one of the greatest samurai tales ever made . i own all six films and agree the silence is a major part of them. and the bloodly violence is also major in them. cause well its a father and son on the road to revenge .
I'm currently reading the manga from Dark Horse, I love it but man, is it bloody but pretty action packed! The Lone Wolf is serious as a heart attack, any who cross him don't live long. Interesting to note, Lone Wolf and Cub made a brief appearance in the Samurai Jack cartoon and it was Ogami Itto's skill that inspired a young Samurai Jack!
Protecting a woman more unwilling the willingly he asks her to hide in a cave, and when she signals fear for him he calms her by saying: "only the wolf can kill a wolf, and I see no other wolves here", then walks out into the snowy surroundings to defeat a bunch of wonna-be swordsmen...
I showed a (non-gamer) friend the opening cinematic to the European PlayStation1 version of Soul Blade and he suggested that I may enjoy the Lone Wolf & Cub series of films. I did!
Interesting take on sound design. I have recently been watching conversations on how the sound and confusion of battles in movies is toned down to make it more palatable. More interesting, personally, is how squads of troops in large military units, even just a platoon, are divided with so many specializations with specific tasks and methods of movement on a battlefield. Shooting such a scene with multiple squads coordinating in battle with differing load outs and functions hasn't happened and is probably considered unfilmable/too complex but it would be wonderful to see.
Hey guys, my first edit of this was blocked. Can everybody now see it? Sadly I had to re-edit this so some of my more nuanced points about silence (which utilised long takes without narration) had to be removed. The commentary is still there but the gaps between my narration are shorter. Sadly nothing I can do about this!
Rossatron all good on my end!
I'm just glad you turned it around so fast! I clicked on your video but didn't watch immediately and it was claimed by the time I went to that tab. Both you and those copyright vultures work very fast.
@Rossatron ...i watch your video in good quality ...Toho Ltd. can't bring down the Ross!
Just got it! I can't believe how quickly the first one was blocked.
Works for me. As a RUclipsr, the algorithms failure to acknowledge fair use mixed with it’s ability to pick up copyrighted material, is utterly frustrating. Good video still. :)
"come one come all, I'll build a mountain of corpses"
Is one of the coolest lines ever uttered.
The characters in this movie don't talk much, but when they do they drop some bad ass lyrics
@@barryhercules6486 on god they would make some great rapper
(Wu Tang clan)😉
When I was little, my father was famous. He was the greatest Samurai in the empire, and he was the Shogun's decapitator. He cut off the heads of 131 lords for the Shogun. It was a bad time for the empire. The Shogun just stayed inside his castle and he never came out. People said his brain was infected by devils, and that he was rotting with evil. The Shogun said the people were not loyal. He said he had a lot of enemies, but he killed more people than that. It was a bad time. Everybody living in fear, but still we were happy. My father would come home to mother, and when he had seen her, he would forget about the killings. He wasn't scared of the Shogun, but the Shogun was scared of him. Maybe that was the problem. At night, mother would sing for us, while father would go into his temple and pray for peace. He'd pray for things to get better. Then, one night the Shogun sent his ninja spies to our house. They were supposed to kill my father, but they didn't. That was the night everything changed, forever.
Wether emcee came to live out their names and too perform some snort cocaine too act insane..
The Tokugawa Shogunate took an iron-fisted approach in controlling the daimyo lords with their han domains within Japan. Any sign of disagreement could cost a lord his title and his family land. In this reign of terror, three separate agencies were created. First, a network of ninja spies called Oniwaban, or Garden Wardens, was tasked to seek out reasons to abolish the han domains. Second, Shikaku, or Assassins, were charged with killing domain officials who might obstruct the Shogunate's political will. Third, to assist condemned daimyo lords perform the seppuku self-execution, the Kaishakunin, the Executioner, was tasked to be their second - their final - decapitator. The spy network was operated by the Kurokuwa clan. The assassinations were performed by the Yagyu clan. And... Itto Ogami was the Shogunate's Official Kaishakunin Executioner, privileged to wear robes bearing the Hollyhock Crest of the Tokugawa clan.
When the MCs came to live out the name and to perform
Some had to snort cocaine to act insane
Been rewatching these on HBO Max - classic stuff!
Yup me too didn't know they were on there lol.
Yeah I watched all of them on HBO Max I don’t think the last ones on there though.
HBO max has a lot of great classics.
Now if they could put the Zatoichi films on there too.....
These films are beautiful. You gotta do a Zatoichi examination too!
haha as fun as the zatoichi series is... it's a b*tch to get through with its 25(?) entries.
@@MrKahlerHahn I enjoyed the fact that the quality of the 25 was so high. never felt like a chore in the slightest
And Rurouni Kenshin
1-4 are cannon, imo...the rest of the series is for sho.
@@aceotmapp7161 yeah they are all at least good to really awesome. but still... they are just so many
Excellent review... an honorable mention would be the scene where Daigoro(Cub) keeps his mouth shut like a soldier and takes a beating for the lady pick pocket... this very act of bravery from a kid that doesn't even speak, or cry, makes her repent and give up her thieving ways.
When a friend and I were first introduced to these movies, watching that scene he said, "I don't want kids, but I'd take that kid."
Silence and violence, two words that have NO right sounding as good together as they do.
Contrast of two opposite aspects tends to emphasize both of them. It takes skill to articulate both in a meaningful way.
@Dr Bright thoughts of Violence fulfilled in Silence, the still of the night disturbed by sirens.
When I was a teen I couldn't wait to get to the theatre (in little Tokyo) to see all of the Lone Wolf and Cub movies (Japanese versions). I've recently watched them again and still find them to be magnificent films. I haven't seen Shogun Assassin made of bits and pieces of the '70s series. None of the streaming services seem to have it. Perhaps someday they will.
If you want to talk about a lasting impression I practice Iai (Japanese swordsman ship) daily. It's a great form of exercise for an old guy like me.
Seriously, how do you have only 100k? You are easily one of the best film tubers.
The Best* Superb, sublime.
This is one of my favorite movie series of all time! Even including Shogun Assassin.
Thank you Rossatron for introducing me to Lone wolf and Cub! My roomate and I sat through the entire series and we both loved them all!
That decap after using Daigoro's sun reflector is still a lol classic
I've always been asking myself, why so few people talk about these films. They are great!
The comics are undoubtedly much better. If you can get ahold of them, id recommend them over any other graphic novel.
Gza is pronounced like this Jizz-A. I love Shogun Assassin, the horrible over dub just adds it. Probably my favorite Samurai Movie ever.
This same Criterion set is over $100 USD on the US Amazon but the UK Amazon version of the exact same set is only $55 USD 🤔
Guess I'm ordering the UK version
Absolutely love Shogun Assassin
The Barnes and Noble Sale isn’t over yet, there’s still a day left
I got mine u.s blu ray used for $55 luckily it's still in good condition for a used collection.
Shogun Assassin is such a classic and way ahead of it's time. Rossatron calls the soundtrack 'cheesy' but it's amazing.
Greatest comic to film adaptation ever made.
I CANNOT believe you just posted this. Goddamn. Every video you upload is a masterpiece.
I just finished rewatching an episode of Samurai Jack where he finds his old home. And indeed there is a lone wolf and cub reference outright! Was looking this up last night and you just uploaded this video Wow
I found this series back in the early 90's on imported VHS., a special series.
I like how the DVD version is exactly one penny cheaper than the Blu-ray
such a wonderful series. Stumbled upon it when I was in the middle of my "discovering asian cinema phase" and these are soooo good.
And I'd disagree with you... Sword of vengeance is an absolute classic at least to me
Lone Wolf and Cub sounds like it would be the name of the sub-genre that Last of Us, God of War, and Logan would be in.
I would play the shit out of a Lone Wolf and Cub game. Hopefully Ghost of Tsushima will scratch that itch, and Sekiro when I finally get round to playing it
@@Rossatron I would only play that game in Japanese. Have fun finding someone who could make me think it was Wakayama talking though.
Don't tarnish it by comparing it to that rubbish 😂 Especially TLOU 🤢🤢🤢
@@Grandmastergav86 tlou is great
Man, it's so sad that lone wolf and cub doesn't get the attention it deserves.
Its also sad they never showed daigoro grown
I borrowed all of these films (VHS) from my neighbor in the year 2000. These series interested me so much, that I started to take notes of character names, actor names, I draw pictures, and generally were completely obsessed with this.
Outstanding analysis of the series. Both the Manga and the 6 film series are absolute masterpieces in their respective mediums! My highest recommendation for both.
Agree! It's a manga series I grew up fondly reading with my dad and even got a Japanese style tattoo of a wolf and cub in memory of my father.
@@chrislim1483 That tattoo sounds awesome Chris! Nice tribute to your dad!
The Mandalorian brought me here.
Why, exacly?
@Lucas Moreira Santos: Because I've heard that the Mandalorian barrow elements from this.
@@thedarkknight727 Right. Cool to know. I can see why now.
Yeah me too. Glad it did.
Lone Mandalorian and Child, great sci-fi remake
Excellent series. I also highly recommend you check out the original Zatoichi films, they are sublime. Wakayama Tomisaburo (Lone Wolf) and Shintaro Katsu (Zatoichi) were brothers IRL.
I watched the first 2 episodes of the new Lone Wolf and Cub I mean Mandalorian
Thanks so much for doing this!
As an American I was first exposed to this seeing Shogun Assassin on Cinemax in about 1985 or so, then later I started buying the original films on VHS from a company called Animeigo, and finally today I have them all on Blu-Ray. I usually end up watching all of these in order about once a year. It is one of my very favorite film series of all time. Very striking use of scenery, color, and as you point out, often silence.
Same had the vhs now the dvds and I think its time to do the Blu rays!!
5:53 I am in complete awe with how well thought out your edits are. Every video of yours honestly gives me so many new ideas when it comes to editing.
I like to add a bit of icing to the cake
This has been one of my favorite films if not my favorite movie all time . I love it so much .
I just finished reading the manga, haven't watch the movie. All I can says is WOW. A timeless masterpiece.
漫画の中で『雨の日に』が一番好きです。読まれました？
映画にもTVドラマにも映像化はしていません。暖かくて哀しい物語。映像化して欲しかったです。
I love these films. I wish there had been an anime that adapted the entire original run of the manga. The story actually comes to a conclusion, whereas in the films it doesn't, and it captures the Japanese Buddhist notion of transience and all life having its time.
glad to see someone say this, the mangas are incredible with the way they describe buddhism, it heavily affected me and my beliefs. would be such an amazing anime
Once again you give us the video essay we need if not the one we deserve. Wonderful work as always R.
"alone, they're not classics"
yes they are!
I have to admit that you're right about the brutality of the films. I enjoy them a great deal when I'm looking for some good action but no kids allowed. The silence, in my opinion, adds more focus to what is happening. Less distraction for the ear. And there are some beautiful locations to admire.
One of my favourite box set collections!
The Big LeBoschski Six films or five?
I own and love the full manga series and always thought of the movies as a bit of a joke, and hence never saw them. Thank you for this perspective! I am glad to realise that they have something to offer.
It’s because of you that I bought the criterion set on Blu Ray, I’m loving it so far
My dad showed me shogun assassin when i was a young boy, i feel instantly in love it alongside Arnold's Conan the barbarian. Years later I found about the lone wolf and cub film series as well as the magna collection. Great video Ross, keep up the good work sir.
Good dad. Good parenting.
Dude. I'm so glad I ran into this channel. You've opened me up to a lot of great content I was previously unaware of. Many channels on youtube have been caught up in this super-hero movie craze and that stuff is really stale. I love your content and keep up with the good work.
Just finished the series. Absolutely amazing. Hard to put into words how much i enjoyed these movies. Makes me wonder what else is out there to be discovered.
I got to see all 6 of these in glorious quality at a Alamo Drafthouse last year. It was fucking incredible. RIP Kazuo Koike.
BRAVO! A FITTING TRIBUTE TO MY ULTIMATE FAVORITE SERIES AND WHAT GOT ME INTO JEDIGEKI FILMS.
I remember seeing Lone Wolf and Cub ("Der Wolf mit dem Kind" if I remember correctly) sporadically in the early 2000s on german late night TV. I never watched all of it but I always remembered "the Samurai with the baby carriage" (at least that's what I called it back then and tbh it isn't such a bad title). I still haven't seen all of it but your video has convinced me into going at it once again. I think the moments of silence are what makes it stand out nowadays.
This is an amazingly great series of films. The story about the woman with the tattoo is particularly tragic. I will not leave a spoiler because that would be rotten. However, I thought the last two films were a little over the top until that very last scene, and I mean the last 30 seconds of the 6th film---it says everything. Excellent conclusion. I'd love to talk about it with someone, but no one I know has seen this series, outside of my wife. She appreciated Akira Kurosawa's influence to the films, but she also thought the violence gets a little campy in the last couple episodes. The first two parts are amazing though, and as I said, the final 30 seconds of part 6 is critical to understanding the depth of the hero's redemption or damnation. --- I said I wouldn't spoil. :D
This is a great video essay describing this amazing film 😊😊😊
God this is so brilliantly edited and written!! Another excellent video
Fantastic post ! Seen all of them many times over. You hit it on the head why these films are so good. The sword fighting scenes are breathtaking! Tomisaburo Wakayama's skill with a sword is unrivalled! Legend !
And to think, I didn't know I was watching a LEGEND as a kid when I first saw Black Rain. Even crazier, Shintaro Katsu was originally going to play the veteran cop instead of Ken Takakura. So you'd have had Itto and Ichi in one movie. Which happened in one of the Ichi movies.
I am a big comic fan and I remember buying the manga series way before they were translated based on Frank Miller talking about the series and how it influenced his Daredevil stories, the true origin of the Hand. But almost two decades earlier I was living in San Francisco and saw Sword of Vengeance at the Japanese Cultural Center. Later saw Lightning Swords of Death in American theatres. I didn't put the manga with the films until I got them on dvd. Have the Criterion blu ray collection and they're amazing. All the stunts and sword technique are done old school, no CGI. The main star was an Iaido master which is why the sword choreography is so impressive. Haven't seen the Mandalorian but can imagine the connection.
I saw shogun assassin when i was younger ,then found the manga at a comic shop i got the whole set.then got the lone wolf and cub movies enjoyed them immensely. While watching the mandalorian i said it reminds me of lone wolf and cub
the best of the best of early manga I've come across, I haven't watch the series though
Wonderful presentation. I love Shogun Assassin and the Lone Wolf and Cub movies, they are beautifully made. I haven’t seen them in a long time, I might have to look for these again.
A master work piece. I salute you, a thorough analysis
Gizza-Liquid Swords. hahaha, loved this video essay.
A masterpiece.
Great video, especially the creative transitions.
Been watching these films throughout 2022. They are amazing. I think with age, the cheese ball silliness sometimes if them break up the more serious bits and disturbing parts to make them more digestible and more easily watched. Samurai Jack is a great homage to this franchise.
Classic film indeed. Strong, silent type protagonists
Tony likes these types of protagonists
Except Zatoichi. He was a talkative, joke filled, passionate, charming man.
@@hazardeur Yeah, he turned me on to Sun Tazoo.
@@mechanoid2k Ah, Sun Tazoo, the chinese prince machiavelli
ty for the clarifications of these films, never heard of them and visually they look stunning!
Absolute perfect review! You got all the key points and gave the movies the repuatation they deserve.
Okami/LW&C is poetry written with a splash of blood.
My absolute favourite alongside Conan and Boorman's Excalibur.
This was a spectacular review and I will be definitely checking out this films, you know your action and I've learned of films not even I have heard of since watching your channel
MORE VIDEOS PLEASE!!! Also, great work. I always look forward to your content.
I'm trying! Usually about a 2 week turnaround at the moment, I am a full time freelance editor in addition to doing this so that's usually about as fast as I can do it. Until I can get paid to do this full time!
@@Rossatron I understand. You have excellent content and I would love to have more of it. Keep up the great work you're doing.
Came here because of the Rick and Morty Samurai and Shogun.
lol same
Me as well!!
YOU HAD ME AT THE ARMY OF SKIING SAMURAI !
WHERE CAN I WATCH THIS !!
Love it! This is like a real fighting and not like Hollywood.
One of the best things I’ve ever read.
Great video! I have seen SHOGUN ASSASSIN, and read the first Lone Wolf & Cub Omnibus from Dark Horse, I bought the Criterion set and cannot wait to dive in!!
The soundtrack for Shogun Assassin is NOT cheesy and it's NOT 80s. It's fucking majestic and it is performed by the amazingly dope German 70s prog band CAN. They survived into the 80s and beyond, but the music used in the film is 70s era. The American producers thought they could just steal CANs music and use it without permission. And I guess they were right. And the world is a better place for it.
It's funny to point out that that scene in Sanjuro was a mistake. The special effects guy didn't know he had the pressure so high and, Kurosawa being a perfectionist, was afraid Kurosawa was going to yell and belittle him. Instead Kurosawa loved it so much he didn't changed it all.
Wonderful wonderful stuff
Grew up with lone wolf and cub, classic.
This is definitely one of the best thumbmails on the channel? ❤
A cinematic masterpiece.
I love Shogun Assassin. I remember watching it for the first time before remasters and the blood was orange.🤣
I dont want to sound like "that guy" but in this case I guess I will, the movies are fine but the manga is an incredible piece of work, this is a manga of the early 70s and it looks amazing, what artist Goseki Kojima did was truly phenomenal in portraying the nature scenery and violence (it is a very violent read), the first half is a bit repetitive but that last act uffffff and that ending is sooo epic, probably one of the most epic in any medium. Anyways great video as always Rossatron, I cant believe this dude doesnt have a 1m subs, great quality content.
I will track these films down.
I read several volumes of the manga years ago.
I even remember a Samurai Jack episode that shows a moment with the title characters.
Thinking of the films this series has influenced such as Mad Max 2 and even Logan.
Epic man. Love the lone wolf n cub movies. It always cracked me up that Tomisaburo Wakayama was in the bad news bears go to japan
Excellent overview of the series. I am a huge fan of the Manga but was on the fence about these movies. Your breakdown convinced me to try out the Criterion collection.
and then he turned himself into a samurai, it was the funniest shit i ever saw
I never got to see Shogun assassin thank you for doing this video.
Great video! I wonder if you'd consider delving into Samurai Jack's or Gendy Tartakovsky's work in general (cough, clone wars) use of sound if the topics aren't too similar
Yes! I just commented on this vid that i was rewatching an episode where jack finds his home in ruins and there is an outright reference to this story of Lone wolf and cub. Also the entire plot of a future episode is based on this same story. Samurai jack is a simple masterpiece in how they convey so much information and emotion through lack of sound.
I just watched these movies two months ago. Man it was a lot of fun. Now I want the manga.
I was recommended to watch these films back in 2019 from a distant relative, but I didn't really look into it until I saw this video. It took me awhile but I finally gotten my hands on the Criterion Collection and just finished the sixth movie today.
Easily one of the best Samurai films out there; I can see why it inspired so many films, games and directors.
Stanley Kubrick used silence brilliantly in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
At times just using breath in the soundtrack.
F**k "Shogun Assassin", The Criterion Collection 6-film "Lone Wolf and Cub" box set the is the _real_ deal! :)
Truly excellent - thank you for the great video
excellent review, mate. this is what i was looking for. thank you very much.
Gza is pronounced with a soft g like in genius, hence gza the genius, not a hard g as in gizzard.
There's always something, thanks for the note.
@@Rossatron np. Great video.
Gizzard, as in Lizard Wizard
this threw me off too lolol
great video as always rossatron!
How do you guys all know that, but not notice that Daigoro is pronounced Die-gore-O?
And to the author of the video, screw the pronunciation. You did a hell of a job. Lone Wolf and Cub is one of my favorites, and you did email solid man.
one of the greatest samurai tales ever made . i own all six films and agree the silence is a major part of them. and the bloodly violence is also major in them. cause well its a father and son on the road to revenge .
Now The Mandalorian series is looking more like this but much much muuuuuch less violence and brutality than this.
I Don't know why but as The Mandalorian goes on I'm starting to care less and less about it.
I'm currently reading the manga from Dark Horse, I love it but man, is it bloody but pretty action packed! The Lone Wolf is serious as a heart attack, any who cross him don't live long. Interesting to note, Lone Wolf and Cub made a brief appearance in the Samurai Jack cartoon and it was Ogami Itto's skill that inspired a young Samurai Jack!
Gotta watch again
Finally a video on one of my favorite anime
This video made me want to check this films out
Protecting a woman more unwilling the willingly he asks her to hide in a cave, and when she signals fear for him he calms her by saying: "only the wolf can kill a wolf, and I see no other wolves here", then walks out into the snowy surroundings to defeat a bunch of wonna-be swordsmen...
I showed a (non-gamer) friend the opening cinematic to the European PlayStation1 version of Soul Blade and he suggested that I may enjoy the Lone Wolf & Cub series of films. I did!
Rossatron video? First I like, then I watch.
Great video. Among my favorite all time movies and books.
Interesting take on sound design. I have recently been watching conversations on how the sound and confusion of battles in movies is toned down to make it more palatable. More interesting, personally, is how squads of troops in large military units, even just a platoon, are divided with so many specializations with specific tasks and methods of movement on a battlefield. Shooting such a scene with multiple squads coordinating in battle with differing load outs and functions hasn't happened and is probably considered unfilmable/too complex but it would be wonderful to see.
I love you Rossatron.
Good on Tarantino for trying to pay homage but he was not the man to bring back this rare lost violent art of cinema but he at least tried.