Sex and Fury / Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Japan, 1973 (Sex and Fury, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Directors: Norifumi Suzuki (Sex and Fury), Teruo Ishii (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Cast: Reiko Ike, Christina Lindberg, Akemi Negishi, Jun Midorikawa (Sex and Fury), Reiko Ike, Makoto Aikawa, Arumi Kuri, Meika Seri, Jun Midorikawa, Emi Jô (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Release Date: July 5th, 2026
Approximate Running Times: 88 Minutes 33 Seconds (Sex and Fury), 85 Minutes 52 Seconds (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK)

"Following their genre-defining "female delinquent" classic Girl Boss Guerrilla, director Norifumi Suzuki and action star Reiko Ike would join forces once again for the shocking Sex & Fury. Pulpy and bathed in lurid violence of the highest order, the film would beget the sequel, Female Yakuza Tale, directed by none other than the king of ero-guro, Teruo Ishii (Horrors of Malformed Men).

In Sex & Fury, deadly swordswoman Ocho Inoshika (Ike) is looking for the men who killed her father and finds herself infiltrating a sordid den of sexually deviant yakuza, involving a British secret agent (Christina Lindberg, Thriller: A Cruel Picture) and a twisted international scheme that could alter the fate of Japan. The sequel sees Ocho captured by devious yakuza who use Chinese women as drug mules, forcing her to use her sharp wits and blade to fight her way out.

Unparalleled levels of sleaze and violence combine in a haze of psychedelia with this deadly duo of Japanese exploitation, representing the high watermark of 1970s Toei yakuza madness." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Sex and Fury), 3.75/5 (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “The restored high-definition masters were provided by Toei Company LTD.”

Sex and Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.2 GB

Feature: 21 GB (Sex and Fury), 20.3 GB (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Arrow Video uses the same source that Discotek Media used for their 2022 Blu-ray releases. Sex and Fury’s source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, image clarity, color saturation, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. Though Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture’s source looks similar in most areas, black levels are not as convincing as they should be.

Audio: 4.25/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

Each film comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. Both tracks sound excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Sex and Fury (3 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture (3 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito titled Naked Vengeance (20 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Japanese cinema expert Chris D. for Sex and Fury, an archival audio commentary with Chris D. for Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information for both films, an essay titled Pinky Violence: Tales of Sex and Fury written by Camille Zaurin, and information about the transfers.

Summary:

Sex and Fury: Norifumi Suzuki directed Sex and Fury. He’s known for The Lustful Shogun and His 21 Concubines, School of the Holy Beast, The Killing Machine, Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls, and Roaring Fire. He also directed several films in the Girl Boss and Terrifying Girls' High School film series.

As a child, the traumatic event of watching her police officer father murdered turned Ochô Inoshika towards a life of crime. Years later, she searches gambling houses looking for her father's killers; her only clues are three cards that hold the key to uncovering their identities. Along the way, she gets involved in a card game that will determine the fate of a young woman who she promised to free from the world of prostitution.

Sex & Fury is the first film in a series of two, followed by Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture. Both films star Reiko Ike (Graveyard of Honor) in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who's also deadly with the sword. Furthermore, Sex & Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture had different directors, content-wise and stylistically; there is not much separation between these two films.

Sex & Fury dives right in with an excellent pre-credits sequence that lays the groundwork for why the protagonist has devoted her life to revenge. From there, the narrative does a phenomenal job of balancing exposition and action, as pacing is never an issue. Another strength of the narrative is how effectively it builds momentum towards a sensational finale that perfectly brings Ochô Inoshika’s journey to a climax.

The main attraction is Reiko Ike’s portrayal of Ochô Inoshika; she delivers a scene-stealing performance that is arguably the best of her career. Though Ochô Inoshika bears all the traits that one has come to expect from Japanese female assassins, the result is a character that actually stands apart from the rest of the pact. Not only does Ochô Inoshika ooze sexuality, but she is also a force who can go toe to toe with any man.

Not to be overlooked is Christina Lindberg’s (Thriller: A Cruel Picture) portrayal of a British spy named Christina. Despite her limited range as an actress, she still delivers a charismatic performance that relies heavily on her physical presence. That said, the rest of the cast are very good in their roles.

Without a doubt, one of Sex & Fury’s most durable assets is Norifumi Suzuki’s stylized visuals, which heighten the mood. A few standout moments include a scene where a bathing Ochô Inoshika is forced to fight assassins in the nude and Christina’s death is one of the most beautiful deaths ever filmed. That said, the scene that stands out more than any other is an elegant ballroom sequence that introduces Christina.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Sex and Fury does not excel, and then some. There is never a shortage of nudity, depravity, or carnage, with some dark humor thrown in for good measure. The fight scenes are spectacular, especially when it comes to the strategic placement during the nude sword fighting. Another strength is composer Ichirô Araki’s exemplary score, which does an exceptional job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Sex & Fury is one of Toei’s high-watermark films of the 1970s and a must-see if you're a fan of Pinky Violence cinema.

Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture: Teruo Ishii directed A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture. He was a versatile filmmaker who worked in just about every film genre. No matter the quality of the source material, he always somehow manages to craft something that is above and beyond an amazing thrill ride. The Man from Abashiri Prison, Horrors of Malformed Men, Blind Woman's Curse, The Executioner, The Executioner II: Karate Inferno, and the Joy of Torture series are notable films directed by Teruo Ishii.

A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture picks up right where its predecessor, Sex & Fury, left off as we see the prototagnoist Ochô surrounded by a group of assassins with their samurai swords drawn as she spins her umbrella. A tongue-in-cheek opening credits sequence showcases not only Ochô’s impressive fighting skills but her other ample assets as well.

Teruo Ishii’s direction is inspired; he keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. The highlight of his direction is a jaw-dropping finale in which numerous naked women use swords and other weapons against their male counterparts. When it comes to more exploitative elements, which are overflowing throughout In A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, Teruo Ishii does not miss a beat.

As good as the cast is in their roles, everyone is obscured by Reiko Ike’s (Graveyard of Honor) mesmerizing performance in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who is also a deadly assassin. She delivers a solid performance that expands on her role from Sex & Fury. Although she is portraying the same character, her portrayal of Ochô Inoshika is slightly different for each film.

Ryohei Uchida (Bodyguard Kiba), who made a career portraying offbeat characters, portrays Jôji, who has a score to settle with the same people Ochô Inoshika is going after. Although his screen time is limited, when he does appear on screen, he tends to dominate that scene. His character's most memorable moment is a scene where he throws bullets like throwing stars as they pierce his eyes and forehead.

Teruo Ishii goes for a more realistic look at the carnage in Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture than in Sex & Fury. The fighting scenes are beautifully photographed and executed. That said, one area where A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture comes up short is the obvious lack of budget. Most noticeable is the overuse of framing compositions at an angle or tight close-ups that obscure the background. Increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor, Sex & Fury, this film takes disrobing to another level.

Another distinct difference is that Sex & Fury was a period film that took place in the past, whereas Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture looks and feels modern. Besides increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture takes disrobing to another level. Ultimately, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture is a very satisfying sequel that stands well on its own.

Sex and Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture are given their best home media release to date. Highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom – Discotek Media (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1972
Director: Norifumi Suzuki
Writers: Masahiro Kakefuda, Ikuo Sekimoto, Norifumi Suzuki
Cast: Miki Sugimoto, Natsuko Miura, Masataka Naruse, Ryôko Ema, Miwako Onaya, Naomi Oka, Yôko Mihara, Akira Ôizumi, Nobuo Kaneko, Hiroshi Nawa, Reiko Ike

Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 78 Minutes 43 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $24.95

"If you’re lucky enough to make it out of Seikou Girls’ Academy, they say it’ll make you a wise wife and a gentle mother. Yeah, right. In these harrowing halls, most students survive by keeping their heads down or having them smashed in! Out of all the academy’s gangs, there’s none more terrifying than O-Michi (Miki Sugimoto) and the Stormbreakers. But when a mysterious transfer student (Reiko Ike) steps on O-Michi’s turf, the ensuing gang war reveals a trail of blood that leads straight back to the school itself!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 16.3 GB

Feature: 15.6 GB

No information is provided about the source used for this transfer. That said, the source is in good shape, and any source debris is minimal. Flesh tones and colors look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 14 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles) and a slipcover.

Summary:

Norifumi Suzuki directed Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom. He’s known for Tokugawa Sex Ban, The Lustful Shogun and His 21 Concubines, School of the Holy Beast, The Killing Machine, Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls, and Roaring Fire. He also directed several films in the Girl Boss and Terrifying Girls' High School film series.

A new student enrolls at the prestigious Seikou Girls’ Academy, determined not to yield to a gang of delinquent girls known as the Stormbreakers. She has hidden motives for attending the academy, and no one will hinder her quest for revenge.

By the time Toei called upon Norifumi Suzuki to direct Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom, he had already directed three sukeban films. Norifumi Suzuki is more synonymous with these types of films than any other filmmaker working in Toei's "pinky violence" subgenre. Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom also pairs Miki Sugimoto and Reiko Ike, the biggest stars of Toei’s “pinky violence.”

There are three things at play in Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom. The first is a storyline that revolves around a new idealistic teacher named Keiichi Yoshioka. He believes the best way to combat delinquents is by force, while those around him warn him to tone down his aggressive behavior. The other storyline revolves around a new student named Yuki Onozaki; she’s an orphan and her past trauma is linked to someone at Seikou Girls’ Academy. Outwardly she appears to be a model student in a school overrun by delinquents. These two storylines intersect with Michiko Nakata, the leader of a girl gang known as the Stormbreakers.

All around, the cast are excellent, especially Miki Sugimoto (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs) in the role of Michiko and Reiko Ike (Girl Boss: Revenge) in the role of Yuki. The character of Michiko is much more than an adolescent with a brutal outlook; a traumatic event from her past changed her into what she's now become. Ultimately, it is the weight of past trauma that unites Michiko and Yuki for a final confrontation with their oppressors.

At just under 80 minutes, the narrative covers a lot of ground and always moves briskly. There is an ample amount of depravity and violence, two of Toei’s “pinky violence” staples. Norifumi Suzuki's direction is exemplary; he really excels when it comes to the type of subject matter covered in Toei’s “pinky violence” films. Another area where Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom shines is its use of music that perfectly contrasts the brutality. Ultimately, Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom is one of the best examples of Toei's "pinky violence" subgenre.

Although it is great that a film like Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom is getting an English-friendly release, the lack of extras is a disappointment since most boutique labels releasing Asian cinema come with extras that provide insight about these films. Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom is another barebones release from Discotek Media that comes with a strong audio/video presentation.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group – Discotek Media (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Masahiro Shimura
Writers: Masahiro Shimura, Norifumi Suzuki
Cast: Reiko Ike, Yûko Kanô, Hiroshi Nawa, Jun Aida, Makoto Aikawa, Mike Danning, Ryôko Ema, Tatsuo Endô

Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 87 Minutes 4 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $24.95

"Anyone who roams the halls of St. Ai Girls’ Academy knows that Takako Nonaka (Reiko Ike) is the big girl on campus. She has looks, money, and more importantly, is the Crimson Rose Society’s new boss. But when an international conspiracy tears her perfect life asunder, Takako finds herself thrown out with the dregs of this prestigious academy. Hellbent on revenge, the fallen delinquent forms a new gang—the Raptors—and sets out to beat those responsible to a bloody pulp." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 18 GB

Feature: 17.3 GB

No information is provided about the source used for this transfer. That said, the source is in good shape, and any source debris is minimal. Flesh tones and colors look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 5 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles) and a slipcover.

Summary:

Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group was directed by Masahiro Shimura; he only directed one other film, Terrifying Girls’ High School Animal Classmates.

Students at a prestigious all-girl school push back against the administration when they take the side of a drug syndicate that murdered the father of one of the girls.

Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group is the third film in a series of films. The other three films are Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom, Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom, and Terrifying Girls’ High School Animal Classmates. Norifumi Suzuki directed the first two films in this series, and all four films starred Reiko Ike.

Classism is front and center in Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group, where most of the girls come from affluent families; there is one classroom made up of girls from broken homes. Overseeing the girls behavior is a disciplinary group called the Crimson Rose Society, who use intimidation and brute force against rule breakers. Things come to a head when the classroom of delinquent girls forms a group called The Raptors, and the Crimson Rose Society becomes determined to destroy them.

Reiko Ike (Sex and Fury) portrays Takako, the newly elected leader of the Crimson Rose Society. After her father's death, her life is turned upside down, and now she is impoverished, forcing her to lose her spot in the Crimson Rose Society. While she is often associated with playing bad girl roles, she starts off in Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group as a good girl before ultimately evolving into a more recognizable character. Another performance of note is Ryôko Ema, who portrays Kinue, the sadistic daughter of the PTA’s chairman. Like Reiko Ike, Ryôko Ema appeared in all four Terrifying Girls' High School films.

Despite featuring a significant amount of violence and elements typical of Pinky Violence, Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group has a dramatically different tone than its predecessor, Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom. The most notable difference is how much time Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group devotes to exposition and character development when compared to the two films that precede it.

The well-constructed narrative has a lot of moving parts; it does a superb job blending everything and building to a cathartic, bittersweet finale that serves as a perfect coda. Where most of the violence in its predecessors is limited to fighting, this time around it leans heavily towards assaulting women. That said, though Masahiro Shimura’s direction is solid, it lacks the flair that someone like Norifumi Suzuki would bring to a film. Ultimately, there are far superior examples of Pinky Violence cinema than Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group, especially for those who are new to this genre of films.

Although it is great that a film like Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group is getting an English-friendly release, the lack of extras is a disappointment since most boutique labels releasing Asian cinema come with extras that provide insight about these films. Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group is another barebones release from Discotek Media that comes with a strong audio/video presentation.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom – Discotek Media (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Norifumi Suzuki
Writer: Tatsuhiko Kamoi
Cast: Miki Sugimoto, Reiko Ike, Seiko Saburi, Misuzu Ôta, Rie Saotome, Yuuko Mizusawa, Yukiko Asano, Ryôko Ema

Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 88 Minutes 33 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $24.95

"When whispers of a close ally’s death escape the chaotic Kibou Girls’ Academy, a delinquent gang leader (Miki Sugimoto) enters the infernal institution in search of answers. However, what she finds inside isn’t pretty—corrupt cops, twisted teachers, and trails of blood left by the devilish disciplinary committee. Determined to snuff out these creeps, this “Boss with the Cross” finds herself allying with righteous rivals and a crafty journalist in her quest for vengeance." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 18.3 GB

Feature: 17.6 GB

No information is provided about the source used for this transfer. That said, the source is in good shape, and any source debris is minimal. Flesh tones and colors look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles) and a slipcover.

Summary:

Norifumi Suzuki directed Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom. He’s known for Tokugawa Sex Ban, The Lustful Shogun and His 21 Concubines, School of the Holy Beast, The Killing Machine, Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls, and Roaring Fire. He also directed several films in the Girl Boss and Terrifying Girls' High School film series.

A school is run by sexual deviants, and a group of girls who oversee punishment of those who are out of line is disrupted by three delinquent girls who refuse to bend to the rules.

Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom is the second film in a series of films. The other three films are Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom, Terrifying Girls' High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group, and Terrifying Girls’ High School Animal Classmates. Norifumi Suzuki directed the first two films in this series, and all four films starred Reiko Ike.

Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom opens with a pre-credits sequence that does a phenomenal job setting the tone. In this opening a group of girls known as the discipline squad punish a girl named Michiyo by retraining her and making her think that they are draining her blood. These girls are wearing surgical masks and gloves in the color blood red. This moment climaxes with Michiyo escaping; her punishers chase her to the rooftop, and with nowhere to go, she falls off of the roof.

Miki Sugimoto (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs) and Reiko Ike (Girl Boss Guerilla) are the two actresses most identified with Toei’s Pinky Violence films. Miki Sugimoto has the larger role in Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom; she portrays Noriko, the leader of a girl gang, and Michiyo, the girl who died at the hands of the discipline squad, was her right-hand woman. Miki Sugimoto delivers another exemplary performance as the tough girl character, fearless and capable of standing her own against any man. Reiko Ike portrays Maki, a leader of a girl gang who has a grudge against Noriko. Her character does not appear until around the 47-minute mark and is only in a few scenes. That said, despite her limited screentime, her moments are some of the most memorable.

Norifumi Suzuki is widely regarded as one of the top filmmakers producing exploitation films in 1970s Japan. While Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom incorporates many elements typical of Pinky Violence, it is also filled with nudity, catfights, blackmail, and instances of extreme violence. Some of the means with which characters are tortured include electrocution, a lightbulb inside of the vagina, and forcing a girl to drink so much water that she has no choice but to piss herself. In the case of the latter, Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom was the first film to feature the omorashi fetish. That said, Norifumi Suzuki is a filmmaker known for creating arresting imagery, and with Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom, he delivers in spades.

What starts off as a story about a girl's death that is wrongly labeled a suicide shifts to revenge in the middle act and culminates with revenge being served. The expertly crafted narrative captivates your attention with a series of shocking moments that consistently surpass the previous ones, leading to an exceptional ending that serves as a perfect conclusion. Another strength is how effectively the score reinforces the mood; it is a mixture of 1970s funky and classical music. Ultimately, it is easy to see why Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom is one of the high water marks of Pinky Violence, making it a must-see for fans of this genre.

The biggest letdown about this release is its lack of contextual extras, unlike this film's previous release from Panik House. That said, Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom gets a strong audio/video presentation; it is recommended despite its lack of contextual extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Sex and Fury – Discotek Media (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Norifumi Suzuki
Writers: Norifumi Suzuki, Masahiro Kakefuda
Cast: Reiko Ike, Christina Lindberg, Akemi Negishi, Jun Midorikawa

Release Date: May 28th, 2022
Approximate Running Time: 88 Minutes 33 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $24.95

"The year is 1905—powerful players from across the globe are all vying for a piece of the pie in Japan’s booming industrial revolution. But none of them can ever hope to gamble like Ochô Inoshika, a petty thief who returns home to fulfill a man’s dying wish. In the process, she discovers that the nation’s would-be leaders have something they’re looking to cover up—her father’s murder. Now that all the major players are seated around the poker table, a vengeful Ocho lies in wait with a killer hand up her sleeve." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Brand new HD transfer."

Sex and Fury comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 18.7 GB

Feature: 18.6 GB

The source looks excellent; color saturation and black levels are solid, and compression is very good.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good. Throughout the film, there are many things related to Japanese culture, and the subtitles provide information about these things when they appear on screen.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles) and a slipcover.

A poster and still gallery, bios for Reiko Ike, Christina Lindberg, Norifumi Suzuki, and Jun Midorikawa (an Easter egg extra), production notes titled Toei's Bad Girl Cinema written by Chris D., an audio commentary by Chris D., a Reiko Ike sticker, and a see-through slipcover are among the extras not carried over from Panik House's 2005 DVD.

Summary:

Norifumi Suzuki directed Sex and Fury. He’s known for The Lustful Shogun and His 21 Concubines, School of the Holy Beast, The Killing Machine, Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls, and Roaring Fire. He also directed several films in the Girl Boss and Terrifying Girls' High School film series.

As a child, the traumatic event of watching her police officer father murdered turned Ochô Inoshika towards a life of crime. Years later, she searches gambling houses looking for her father's killers; her only clues are three cards that hold the key to uncovering their identities. Along the way, she gets involved in a card game that will determine the fate of a young woman who she promised to free from the world of prostitution.

Sex & Fury is the first film in a series of two, followed by Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture. Both films star Reiko Ike (Graveyard of Honor) in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who's also deadly with the sword. Furthermore, Sex & Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture had different directors, content-wise and stylistically; there is not much separation between these two films.

Sex & Fury dives right in with an excellent pre-credits sequence that lays the groundwork for why the protagonist has devoted her life to revenge. From there, the narrative does a phenomenal job of balancing exposition and action, as pacing is never an issue. Another strength of the narrative is how effectively it builds momentum towards a sensational finale that perfectly brings Ochô Inoshika’s journey to a climax.

The main attraction is Reiko Ike’s portrayal of Ochô Inoshika; she delivers a scene-stealing performance that is arguably the best of her career. Though Ochô Inoshika bears all the traits that one has come to expect from Japanese female assassins, the result is a character that actually stands apart from the rest of the pact. Not only does Ochô Inoshika ooze sexuality, but she is also a force who can go toe to toe with any man.

Not to be overlooked is Christina Lindberg’s (Thriller: A Cruel Picture) portrayal of a British spy named Christina. Despite her limited range as an actress, she still delivers a charismatic performance that relies heavily on her physical presence. That said, the rest of the cast are very good in their roles.

Without a doubt, one of Sex & Fury’s most durable assets is Norifumi Suzuki’s stylized visuals, which heighten the mood. A few standout moments include a scene where a bathing Ochô Inoshika is forced to fight assassins in the nude and Christina’s death is one of the most beautiful deaths ever filmed. That said, the scene that stands out more than any other is an elegant ballroom sequence that introduces Christina.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Sex and Fury does not excel, and then some. There is never a shortage of nudity, depravity, or carnage, with some dark humor thrown in for good measure. The fight scenes are spectacular, especially when it comes to the strategic placement during the nude sword fighting. Another strength is composer Ichirô Araki’s exemplary score, which does an exceptional job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Sex & Fury is one of Toei’s high-watermark films of the 1970s and a must-see if you're a fan of Pinky Violence cinema.

Given the prominence of Sex & Fury in Japanese cinema, the absence of contextual extras in this release is disappointing. Sex & Fury receives a solid audio/video presentation from Discotek Media. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer