20 Best Japanese Movies about Gangster

Despite the infamous reputation of gangsters worldwide, many filmmakers are drawn to create movies centered around this theme. In addition to showcasing adrenaline-pumping fight scenes, gangster-themed movies often draw inspiration from real-life events, adding authenticity to the narratives.

These factors make gangster movies, particularly appealing to fans of the action-crime genre across the globe. In this article, we will explore some of the most enthralling and captivating Japanese gangster movies that promise an entertaining viewing experience. Read on for our top picks and in-depth reviews.

1. Sonatine

Long before the renowned movie Crows Zero gained prominence, Sonatine had already made a name in the gangster movie genre. In fact, its ratings even surpassed those of the now-famous Crows Zero. The movie follows the story of a disillusioned yakuza named Murakawa, who has grown weary of his gangster lifestyle.

His boss sends Murakawa to Okinawa to resolve a conflict between their allies, the Nakamatsu clan and the Anan clan. Despite suspecting that the assignment is a ploy to eliminate him, Murakawa carries out his mission and spends a few days in Okinawa.

2. High & Low The Movie 3 - Final Mission

High & Low The Movie 3 - Final Mission is the fourth installment in the High & Low movie series. This movie marks the conclusion of the ongoing battle between the Kuryu yakuza organization and the SWORD gang.

Continuing the narrative from the previous movies in the series, the SWORD gang's fight in this movie represents their final attempt to protect their city. To achieve this goal, the SWORD gang collaborates with other gangs in a bid to defeat the entire Kuryu yakuza organization.

3. Tokyo Revengers

This movie is a live-action adaptation of the manga series by Ken Wakui. It tells the story of Takemich Hanagakii, a 26-year-old man who finds himself transported back in time by ten years to his middle school days.

Takemichi's journey is not just an ordinary trip, but rather a crucial mission. With the help of Hinata Tachibana, he endeavors to change the past in order to prevent the future death of Naoto, which involves the notorious Tokyo Manji gang.

4. Rookies

Released in 2008, this Japanese gangster movie tells the story of a teacher named Koichi Kawato. He is a literature teacher who has just moved and teaches at Futako-Tamagawa High School.

The issues arising at the school are enough to grab Koichi's attention. Transforming a baseball team consisting of naughty children who often make trouble and disturb other classes seems to be an impossible thing for him.

The story between a teacher and a school gangster is interesting to watch. How will Koichi handle his recalcitrant students?

5. Stray Dogz

In Stray Dogz, a young yakuza boss named Tadaomy Ando decides to leave the yakuza lifestyle due to issues with his subordinates. During this transition, he learns about the illegal money-lending business from Takahashi Konaka.

Tadaomy then decides to become a loan shark. However, he encounters several challenges along the way. Although he manages to acquire customers, Tadaomy struggles to collect the debts owed to him by these clients.

This compelling narrative sheds light on the inner workings of the loan shark industry and the struggles faced by those involved in this morally ambiguous profession.

6. Crows Zero II

Fans of Japanese movies and action movies will be familiar with this one. Crows Zero II is the last sequel to the movie Crows Zero. In this movie, still with the main star Shun Oguri continues the story of the battle that occurred after the events in the movie Crows Zero.

Eight months after Serizawa Tamao's victory, Genji Takiya is still struggling to reach the highest power at Suzuran High School. However, another problem reappeared when someone from Housen High School, a rival of Suzuran High School, came to threaten Suzuran High School.

Furthermore, a new conflict arises where Genji and others must deal with the killer from Housen.

7. Blue Spring

This movie was adapted from a famous manga of the same name, Blue Spring by Taiyo Matsumoto. Released in 2012, this movie tells the life of school teenagers who have an apathetic attitude toward life. These students tend to be ignorant and don't think much about the future.

The movie, which has an inter-school gangster theme, shows the turmoil of a group of teenagers who are still searching for themselves in the midst of friendship conflicts in a school gang. Having a light storyline about juvenile delinquency, this movie is interesting to watch.

8. Why Don't You Play in Hell?

A perfect choice for gore movie enthusiasts, Sion Sono's, Why Don't You Play in Hell, tells a unique story that unfolds in two different settings.

It follows Hirata, a teenager with dreams of becoming a movie director, who joins a movie enthusiast club called The F*ck Bombers. Despite his aspirations, Hirata is unable to achieve success even after a decade.

Concurrently, the movie also portrays the conflict between two Yakuza members, Muto and Ikegami. A decade after their initial encounter, Ikegami falls in love with Muto's daughter, who has now grown up and is pursuing an acting career.

Sono skillfully weaves these two narratives together, creating a cohesive and intriguing storyline. Although the plot may seem absurd, the movie's strength lies in its distinctive blend of blood and gore.

9. Crows Zero

An iconic movie for fans of Japanese cinema, Crows Zero introduces viewers to the memorable characters Genji Takiya and Tamao Serizawa.

The story revolves around a transfer student named Genji who enrolls at the all-male Suzuran High School. Genji's quest to conquer his new school environment makes for an enthralling watch.

Featuring brutal street gangster fight scenes and a heartwarming story of friendship among Suzuran students, the movie stars renowned actors Shun Oguri and Takayuki Yamada. Crows Zero has captivated audiences both domestically and internationally.

10. High & Low: The Movie 2 - End of Sky

As the third installment in the High & Low movie series, End of Sky focuses on the conflict between the yakuza organization and the SWORD gang. Continuing the battle from the previous two movies, the SWORD gang aims to transform their city into a casino.

To achieve this goal, the gang faces numerous adversaries, from the notorious Wangan Rengogun gang to Ranmaru Hayashi's brutal crew, all vying for control of the SWORD gang's territory.

11. Bakaleya High School

Also known as Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou, this movie is a sequel to the drama Bakaleya High School. It features AKB48 group 4 members Rena Kato, Miyu Takeuchi, Rina Kawaei, Juri Takahashi, and Miori Ichikawa.

The plot revolves around the merging of two high schools with vastly different backgrounds—Bakada High School, notorious for its rough student body, and Cattelya High School, an all-girls institution with well-educated students from affluent families.

The movie explores the challenges and conflicts that arise as these contrasting schools are forced to unite.

12. Ichi the Killer

Ichi the Killer tells the story of Anjo, a Yakuza boss who vanishes with 300 million yen in hand. Kakihara, a sadomasochistic man, embarks on a search for Anjo, accompanied by his subordinates and other mafia members.

As he pursues his target, Kakihara tortures rival Yakuza members to extract information on Anjo's whereabouts. Along the way, Kakihara encounters Ichi, a man with exceptional martial arts and sword skills. The movie delves into the twisted relationship between the pain-seeking Kakihara and the psychotic Ichi.

13. Demekin

Adapted from the autobiographical novel of the same name by Masaki Sata, Demekin tells the story of a man named Masaki Sata who endures bullying and intimidation due to his appearance since childhood, leading to the nickname 'Demekin'.

One day, he decides to fight back against his tormentors and eventually becomes invincible in combat, with his red hair becoming his trademark.

Masaki and his friend Atsunari frequently engage in fights. Atsunari invites Masaki to form a motorcycle gang, and soon, numerous enemies begin to challenge them.

14. Hell's Garden

Hell's Garden offers a refreshing take on the Japanese gangster movie genre, which typically focuses on battles between male gangs. This movie centers on Naoko Tanaka, a 26-year-old office lady, who finds herself in a workplace rife with fierce conflicts among various groups.

Intriguingly, Naoko secretly orchestrates and manages the disputes that arise between these factions. However, her activities eventually catch up with her, as she becomes the target of office ladies across Japan.

The movie follows Naoko's journey as she deals with this unexpected and dangerous turn of events, breaking away from traditional gangster movie narratives by placing a strong female character at the heart of the story.

15. High & Low The Movie

Featuring Korean boy band Seungri (Bigbang) as part of its star-studded cast, High & Low The Movie is set in the aftermath of the legendary Mugen city's dissolution. In the wake of this event, five formidable gangs, collectively known as the SWORD gang, emerge. The name SWORD is derived from the first letter of each gang's name.

These five gangs set their sights on taking over the city, aiming to establish it as their base of power. The stage is set for an inevitable, explosive confrontation between these rival factions, each compete for dominance and supremacy.

As the battle unfolds, it becomes a fierce contest of pride and a thrilling spectacle for fans of action-packed gangster movies.

16. Tokyo Tribe

Based on the manga series of the same name by Santa Inoue, Tokyo Tribe is a live-action musical action-comedy movie set in an alternate Japan filled with numerous street gangs known as the Tokyo Tribe.

Five years after the riots in Shibuya, several new gangs with contrasting ideologies emerge in Tokyo—some advocating for violence and others promoting non-violence as means of revenge. Consequently, warfare erupts between the gangs as they vie for control over their respective territories.

17. The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji

Adapted from the manga Mogura no Uta by Noburu Takahashi, The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji follows Reiji Kikukawa, a man with a strong sense of justice who becomes a police officer despite scoring low on the ability test.

After facing dismissal from the police chief for disciplinary issues—a planned outcome—Reiji is ordered to go undercover and become a "mole" to monitor Shuho Todoroki, the boss of the Sukiyakai gang, which is the largest criminal organization in the Kanto region.

18. Drop

Drop is a captivating movie for audiences who enjoy Japanese gangster-themed movies. The movie stars Hiroki Narimiya as Hiroshi Shinanogawa, who grew up in the 80s under the significant influence of the Be-Bop High School manga.

Inspired by the manga, Hiroshi decides to become a delinquent. After being expelled from his school, he transfers to a public school, where he catches the attention of Iguchi Tatsuya, played by Hiro Mizushima, the leader of a school gang.

While the storyline bears some resemblance to its predecessor, Crows Zero, the action featured in Drop is equally thrilling.

19. For Love's Sake

Based on Ikki Kajiwara's Ai to Makoto manga, For Love's Sake is a unique gangster-themed movie combined with a musical narrative. The movie tells the story of a gangster named Taiga Makoto who arrives in Tokyo seeking revenge.

One day, he encounters Ai Saotome, a student from a respected family, and the two fall in love at first sight. However, model student Iwashimizu constantly declares his willingness to die for Ai, while Makoto is targeted by a female gang. The couple must navigate the chaos that surrounds them.

20. From Today, It's My Turn!!! The Movie

Adapted from the manga series Kyou kara Ore wa!! by Hiroyuki Nishimori, From Today, It's My Turn!!! The Movie is set in the 1980s and follows transfer high school student Takashi Mitsuhashi, who sports an eccentric appearance with blonde hair.

Possessing exceptional athletic abilities and a unique personality, Takashi frequently becomes the target of rival school gangs. Takashi Mitsuhashi and Shinji Ito become friends and form their own gangs, often fighting against other gangs.

Takashi falls in love with Riko Akasaka, while Shinji becomes enamored with Kyoko Hayakawa. As three years pass, Takashi and Shinji must confront new enemies determined to destroy them.

These 20 exciting and thrilling Japanese gangster movies are must-watch movies for fans of the genre. Which of these recommendations piques your interest?