Challenge to Ambition: Chapter 1(2009)

movie - first aired/released 2009-05-25 - 80 min

Directed by Seiichi Shirai

The powerful organization Fifth-Generation Tōdō-gumi, based in Osaka’s Minami district, is led by Wakagashira Ōtani (Ryu Daisuke), under whom Yuji Mikasa (Musashi Ken) walks the path of the old-school yakuza code. Devoted to daily sword training and upholding traditional values, Mikasa’s peaceful days take a sharp turn when he commits a murder to cover for his younger protégé. The situation spirals out of control. As the yakuza world grows more entangled with politics, the organization’s boss, Myojin, announces his retirement. Seizing the opportunity, the cunning Serizawa (Kawano Taro) plots to oust Ōtani by any means necessary. Worse still, Mikasa’s own “civilian killing” ends up pushing his respected boss into a corner...