Oshi samurai: Kiichi Hôgan

Where did these men find the time to do this? In the middle of their other projects, Shintaro Katsu and his brother Tomisaburo Wakayama produced and starred in this incredible half-hour television series. Noted film directors Kenji Misumi and Hideo Gosha lend their talents as well. And finally Isao Tomita created a haunting soundtrack.

Shot in grainy 16mm (not unlike many other Japanese shows of the time) the atmosphere is intense and dark. The sword fights are about as brutal as anything in the Lone Wolf series but with less blood. Beautiful photography and acting from all the participants.

Fans of chambara films will notice that a few story lines were lifted from earlier Gosha works like "Samurai Wolf" and sticklers might be put off by Wakayama seeming to be too old for the part but this should not prevent anyone interested in the genre from seeing something that equals some of the best samurai films of all time.

Very, very recommended!