Young Boss

While not a classic, the writing, set design, and acting were well done. The editing was in the mode of all Japanese films of the period, clipped scene and location changes that leave audiences not experienced in this film style scratching their heads wondering what is going on. As typical all he Female characters are willowy Feminine fillers. This is a film that upholds the concept of the Yakuza living from a code of honer, one that is ( theoretically Buddhist ) but primarily Bushido. This "Robin Hood" concept of the Yakuza as Samurai was a common theme in the postwar culture, and this film is of that genre. The more contemporary Yakuza films portray this oddity of Japanese culture as ruthless, ignorant, power driven, and violent with little "no" code of honor.

Not bad, it was great for the time it was made in. The cinematography could have been better but overall, I was pleased with the film. The acting wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

This is the story of Takeshi Nanjo, the young boss of Nanjyo family in the meiji-era of Japan. At the time Japan was celebrating victory of Japan-Russia war, the boss of Nanjo family Tatsugoro was killed by a member of Takizawa family. When Tatsugoro's son Takeshi learns about his father's death, he quit naval officer position and headed to home to succeeds father's position and taking a revenge. After Takeshi succeeded father's revenge, he finds out the true enemy is a malicious yakuza boss of Izo family.

The story of Waka Oyabun (aka Young Boss Takeshi) centers on a young boss Takeshi reading Nanjyo family, a chivalrous yakuza family, verse a malicious boss Izo reading Izo family. While this Yakuza movie is quite different and less violent than other typical Yakuza movies, Raizo Ichikawa's excellent play draws audience into the story and holds up tension until the movie's final scene. This is the first installment of eight Waka Oyabun series and Raizo Ichikawa's in one of the best acting.