
Writing
Kazuo Koike
Born 1936-05-08 · Sanoh, Ootamachi-ota, Daisen-City, Senboku, Akita
Kazuo Koike (Japanese: 小池 一夫, Hepburn: Koike Kazuo; May 8, 1936 – April 17, 2019) was a prolific Japanese manga writer, novelist, screenwriter, lyricist and entrepreneur. He is best known for his violent, artful seinen manga, notably Lone Wolf and Cub (with Goseki Kojima, 1970–6), Lady Snowblood (with Kazuo Kamimura, 1972–3) and Crying Freeman (with Ryoichi Ikegami, 1986–8), which – along with their numerous media adaptations − have been credited for their influence on the international growth of Japanese popular culture.
Acting credits
NRThis series of interviews with the filmmakers who worked on the 6 Baby Cart movies tells the stories behind the story, as they recount what led up to, and how they created the greatest film series in movie history. From the first interview with original author Koike Kazuo through the behind the scenes journey told by half a dozen noted staff members this specially produced DVD is essential viewing for anyone with an interest in samurai movies at their zenith. Starting with the first meeting that original manga author Koike Kazuo had with Wakayama Tomisaburo and never letting up as other notables including director Saito Buichi, producer Sanada Masanori, stunt choreographer Shishido Daizen, cinematographer Morita Fujio, sound recordist Hayashi Tsuchitaro, screenwriter Nakamura Tsutomu, and the real life son of Lone Wolf, Wakayama Kiichiro share their wealth of knowledge.
Archive: Lone Wolf and Cub
2008
NRA documentary about the making of the Lone Wolf and Cub film series.
Blade of a Father, Soul of a Sword
2005
NRIn this interview, conducted in 2015, prolific author Kazuo Koike talks about his original LADY SNOWBLOOD manga.
A Beautiful Demon: Kazuo Koike on 'Lady Snowblood'
2016
Behind the camera
6.9A Shogun who grew paranoid as he became senile sent his ninjas to kill his samurai. They failed but did kill the samurai’s wife. The samurai swore to avenge the death of his wife and roams the countryside with his toddler son in search of vengeance.
Shogun Assassin
1980
7.3Ogami Itto is hired to kill a tattooed female assassin and battles Retsudo, head of the Yagyu clan, and his son Gunbei.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril
1972
6.2Fearless Edo-period police inspector Hanzo Itami, nicknamed The Razor, has developed his own unique way of extracting information for his inquiries. His first adventure sees him investigating his superior officer's mistress, whom he suspects of having ties with a reputed criminal on the loose.
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice
1972
7.3Ogami Itto is challenged by a quintet of warriors, each armed with one fifth of Ogami's assassin fee and one fifth of the information he needs to complete his assignment.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons
1973
1.0A devil-girl with the face of an angel and a heart of gold, blond Betty falls in love with an earthbound gangster, Danpei Kimogawa, when they meet in a rainstorm. They end up living together in a Tokyo highrise apartment, though Danpei has trouble coping with his new witch and demon in-laws dropping in at inopportune moments. Betty has actually been sent to the human world on a mission to defeat the demon Lutan. While Betty continues her task, her skeletal grandmother sends nubile nymphs to tempt Danpei and see if he is suitable husband material. Based on the manga Mamonogatari itoshi no beti.
Darling Betty - Demon Story
1986
7.4Ogami Itto battles a group of female ninja in the employ of the Yagyu clan and must eliminate a traitor who plans to sell his clan's secrets to the Shogunate.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx
1972
7.1Ogami Itto volunteers to be tortured by Yakuza in order to save a prostitute and is hired by their leader to kill an evil chamberlain.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades
1972
7.4Official Shogunate executioner Ogami Itto has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, against whom he now is waging a one-man war, along with his infant son, Daigoro.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
1972
NRBased on the comic by Kazuo Koike
Kôkôsei burai hikae: Tsuki no Muramasa
1973
7.0Itto Ogami- High Executioner to the Shogun- has been betrayed by his political enemies and sentenced to a dishonorable death. Seeking to restore the honor of his name, Ogami- The Wolf- must flee the Shogun's grasp and live long enough to prove his innocence. Taking only his sword and his son, Ogami embarks on a bloody journey of righteousness and revenge as he seeks to destroy those who would disgrace his family's name. Hunted mercilessly by the Shogun's troops, by his enemies, and by those who seek the reward put on his head, Ogami must fight his way through feudal Japan, challenging and defeating all who stand in the way of his quest for honor. Can Ogami- a true Samurai Warrior- endure the ceaseless violence which surrounds him?
The Fugitive Samurai
1984
