Yasagure anego den: Sôkatsu rinchi

DAMN I love this era of Japanese exploit film-making. I just recently really started digging into the 70's pinky and samurai films - but I have to say that I've LOVED every one that I've seen so far. Violent, gory, sleazy, sexy - they just don't make films like these anymore...

Unfortunately, the story behind FEMALE YAKUZA TALE is a little convoluted and can be hard to follow at times. This one has Ocho (female pickpocket and "swords-mistress" extraordinaire of SEX AND FURY fame) trying to bring down a drug cartel that uses dope-addicted women as mules to smuggle drugs in their snatches. There are some rival gangs also involved, and throw in a side-plot of some of the local girls becoming victims of a string of "Crotch-Gouge" crimes (!?!), another female assassin who prays before she kills, and a guy who is part of a local crime family who was in jail but now is out and is looking to take down the new leader...and there ya have it...

Again, the main problem with FTY is that there are too many things going on at once, and too many characters who are introduced and then not explained very well, so that the story can become confusing and hard to keep up with. But, on the good side - there is so much sleazy "fun" going on that it's hard to fault the film for some plot inconsistencies. We are treated to the typical rape, torture, some hilarious dildo play, tons of tits and ass, and a few good fight scenes (including an awesome end battle of the drug dealers versus a gang of ex-mules who are naked and p!ssed!!!). I do think there could have been some more violence also - but I won't really hold that against the film either, as there is just so much fun stuff going on in this one. And in typical fashion for the Japanese exploit-style films of this time-frame - the sets, settings, cinematography, choreography, and acting are all top-notch. An absolute winner and highly recommended for pinky fans. Check out also SEX AND FURY, FEMALE PRISONER 701: SCORPION, LADY SNOWBLOOD, and the BABY CART series. 8.5/10 for FEMALE YAKUZA TALE...

Reiko Ike returns as skilled gambler & swordswoman Ochô Inoshika in this unrelated sequel to Norifumi Suzuki's Sex and Fury directed by Ero-gro master Teruo Ishii (Joys of Torture series, Blind Woman's Curse).

When she is framed as the "Crotch-Gouge'' killer by three men, Ocho sets out to discover their identities and in turn becomes embroiled in a convoluted plot involving Yakuza-related drug smuggling between Japan and China. She soon learns the men have mistaken her for one of their dope-addicted prostitutes they've been using as drug mules to import the Heroin.

Meanwhile the Ogi Clan are having leadership troubles as their old boss has died and his young daughter is missing. Ocho subsequently finds out the bosses daughter is being held in a mental institution but arrives on the scene too late as the girl has already been electrocuted then strangled to death.

Female Yakuza Tale definitely lacks the surreal and psychedelic visuals of Suzuki's direction in Sex and Fury. Aside from the excellent opening sequence involving a naked Ocho slaughtering multiple opponents in slo-mo with her trusty sword and the films fantastic climax, the blood & action mainly takes a backseat here to be replaced with copious amounts of softcore sex, goofy comedy relief and an often hard to follow plot.

On the plus side though, there's plenty of sleazy sex & rape, a badass Nun / assassin who says a little prayer before she kills, a hilarious bullet-in-the-eye scene, some extremely bizarre mental patients and the spectacular finish in the form of a garishly lit kill-a-thon which reminded me of the Batman TV series from the 60's. Add to that a superb score, brilliant fight choreography and slick cinematography and you have one slightly flawed but still highly enjoyable Pinky Violence flick. 8/10

This "sequel" to "Sex and Fury" is more of a softcore sex romp than the bloody tale of revenge its parent was. Teruo Ishii's direction is a little flat and uneven and it's quite obvious his passion is female flesh, not kinetic action or creating a glorious action/erotic hybrid. Norifumi Suzuki, the director of "Sex and Fury", is a more original, energetic director and brought great artistry and aesthetic brilliance to his work. Ishii's accomplishment is a diverting time filler with too many characters, some intrigue, and mountains of softcore canoodling. The opening fight scene revisits the stylistics of the original film, but quickly dispenses with that style and involves itself in unnecessarily complex plotting. The finale is reasonably bloody, but it never reaches the towering heights of its predecessor because Ishii directs it like he's bored.

For me, not quite as delirious as 'Sex and Fury', there are less set pieces and this is a little confusing now and again. Even so with the fabulous Reiko Ike to the fore with her penchant for bare breasted swordfights, this remains a must. The opening credit sequence with the parasols is wonderful and I was surprised not to see it reprised during the body of the film. Super camera-work, splendidly colourful sets and costumes plus an incredible amount of female flesh. So many beautiful naked girls, prancing, dancing and bending over to have phials inserted! The final fight is way over the top with naked flesh and rivers of blood, it just seems a shame there were not a couple more such scenes between the glorious opening and the gratuitous finale. Very enjoyable, nevertheless!

I recall some politician once being advertised as "tan, rested, and ready." Well, Ochô (Reiko Ike) has recovered from her massive wounds sustained in Sex & Fury, and is ready to do battle again.

This time she is involved in the "Crotch-Gouge" murders. Something to do with Chinese drug mules who smuggle the drug up their crotch. Needless to say, the drug gang picked the wrong person to mess with.

Exploring the video nasties of the 70s and the pinky violence of the same period is an adventure in just how wild filmmakers can be. At least the Japanese films are all in glorified color and full of gorgeous beauty. The music is also very upbeat and enjoyable.

There are more breasts than in a chicken processing plant, and the blood flows freely in the final battle. This was not as good as Sex & Fury, but it had a whole lot more skin.