Two rival fractions of the Yakuza are on the verge of war and to settle accounts Iwao Fudoh kills his teenage son who started this conflict. Riki Fudoh as a young boy witnessed his father murder his older brother. Years later as a teenager Riki remains scarred from the incident. He has assembled a gang of disenchanted youth who he plans to train and use in his plan to kill all those responsible for the death of his older brother.

Video:

Tokyo Shock’s 2002 release leaves a lot of room for improvement. The transfer is non-anamorphic as the picture colors look muted and the image especially during darker scenes is a tad to soft. Tokyo Shock’s new Deluxe Edition is presented in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the films original aspect ratio. The colors look vibrant and flesh tones look healthy. The black levels remain solid through out as there is an exceptional amount of detail present in every frame. Overall this new transfer is leaps and bounds ahead of Tokyo Shock’s previous Fudoh DVD release.

Audio:

Tokyo Shock’s 2002 Fudoh release comes with only one audio option the films original Japanese language track and it is presented in a Dolby Digital stereo. The track is free of any hiss or distortion and the mix is generally pleasing to the ears. The English subtitles are burnt in and cannot be removed. Tokyo Shock’s Deluxe Edition comes with four audio options that include the films original Japanese language track that is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo. There is also an English dubbed language track that is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo. The music and effects sound evenly mixed as they never drown out each other. The track audio tracks are free of any hiss or distortion. Overall these new sound mixes sound fuller then Tokyo Shock’s previous release. Removable English subtitles have been included that are easy to read and follow.

Extras:

Tokyo Shock’s 2002 Fudoh release includes trailers for Wild Criminal, Score and Blood. There isn’t even a menu as the trailers play before the film. At least the trailers are not forced. Tokyo Shock’s new Deluxe Edition includes the following extras a forty minute interview with director Takashi Miike and a sixteen minute interview with Shosuke Tanihara. Other extras include trailers for Sky High, One Missed Call, Ichi The Killer and Alive which all currently available or soon to be released by Tokyo Shock. Rounding out the extras is an audio commentary with Takashi Miike and Shosuke Tanihara.

Overall:

Overall the clear and obvious winner is Tokyo Shock’s Deluxe Edition that corrects all the problems that plagued their previous release and the Deluxe Edition comes with a wealth of extras that are informative.