After spending a few movies on the lam, picking up odd jobs and dispatching would-be assassins, wandering ronin Ogami Ittō gets back to the business of stalking his real enemy: Retsudo Yagyū, who dishonored Ogami's name and orchestrated his wife's murder. The two finally cross swords this time (with consequences for both), but not before Ittō deals with a disgraced, grudge-bearing former rival, a femme fatale with curious tattoos, a corrupt local official (complete with his own private army) and a host of explosive-lobbing foot soldiers. And, for once, the harsh lifestyle has taken a toll on our swordsman: the lone wolf that stumbles away from the battlefield at the end of this film is a far cry from the one who stoically, almost carelessly, dealt with blade-flinging challengers at its onset. Stuffed with fascinating, well-rounded new characters, unique fight scenes, badass acts of heroism and gallons of bright red spray, it's incredible that the final running time comes in just short of ninety minutes. Feels like there's enough depth, and enough story, to have stretched for twice as long.

Assassin chess with a lot of assassin chest. Mutual assassin respect and reverence. And oh yes amazing tattoos. https://boxd.it/2IU31l

Kozure Ōkami - Lone Wolf and Cub 01 Kozure Ōkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru (Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance) (1972) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-sword-of-vengeance-1972 02 Kozure Ōkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx) (1972) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-at-the-river-styx-1972 03 Kozure Ōkami: Shinikazeni mukau ubaguruma (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades) (1972) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-to-hades-1972 04 Kozure Ōkami: Oya no kokoro ko no kokoro (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril) (1972) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-in-peril-1972 05 Kozure Ōkami: Meifumado (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons) (1973) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-baby-cart-in-the-land-of-demons-1973 06 Kozure Ōkami: Jigoku e ikuzo! Daigoro (Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) (1974) https://trakt.tv/movies/lone-wolf-and-cub-white-heaven-in-hell-1974

Ogami is once again put through a perilous trial with the crazy end sequence. In this one he meets his equal, whom he shames and defeats in a duel, only to leave him alive, left to plot his revenge. Also features the beautiful, vicious, topless, tattooed sword-master. will Ogami fight her, or fall in love?