Kazuo Koike

Writing

Kazuo Koike

Born May 8, 1936 · Sanoh, Ootamachi-ota, Daisen-City, Senboku, Akita

Died April 17, 2019 · aged 82

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 the…

Known For

Crying FreemanCrying Freeman · 1995
Crying Freeman
★ 6.41995
MovieActionCrime
A lethal assassin for a secret Chinese organisation, who sheds tears of regret each time he kills, is seen swiftly and mercilessly executing three Yakuza gangsters by a beautiful artist. She is captivated by the grace of his kill and later falls in love with him. An intense power struggle for the leadership of the Yakuza Clans ensues as they seek vengeance for the death of their leader.
Shogun AssassinShogun Assassin · 1980
Shogun Assassin
★ 6.81980
MovieActionAdventure
A 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.
Lady SnowbloodLady Snowblood · 1973
Lady Snowblood
★ 7.51973
MovieActionCrime
A strikingly beautiful young woman is trained from birth to be a deadly instrument of revenge against the swindlers who destroyed her family.
Bohachi Bushido: The VillainBohachi Bushido: The Villain · 1974
Bohachi Bushido: The Villain
★ 6.51974
MovieAction
The Bohachi Clan, the most vile, corrupt organization with ties deep in the Shogunate, have controlled the flesh trade in Japan for generations. When threatened by a competitor, they employ Saburai, a nihilistic ronin on the verge of self destruction. Blood gushes and limbs fly for anyone who stands against Saburai as he instills the Way of the Bohachi.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River StyxLone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx · 1972
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx
★ 7.41972
MovieActionDrama
Ogami 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.
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten EightBohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight · 1973
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
★ 6.61973
MovieAction
A Ronin with a death wish reluctantly joins the Clan of the Forgotten Eight, a nasty crew of ronin who are wrapped up in a clan war over local prostitution.
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of JusticeHanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice · 1972
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice
★ 6.21972
MovieActionDrama
Fearless 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.
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in HellLone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell · 1974
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell
★ 7.11974
MovieActionAdventure
With most of his family already dead at Ogami Itto's hands, Retsudo launches one final plot to destroy him, and when that fails, unleashes the fury of every remaining member of the Yagyu clan.

Filmography

Sort
Crying Freeman 2: Shades of Death, Part 1Crying Freeman 2: Shades of Death, Part 1 · 1989
Crying Freeman 2: Shades of Death, Part 1
★ 5.71989
MovieAnimationAction
With the blessing of the 108 Dragons, Yo and Emu marry and receive new names, Ron Tayan and Fu Ching Ran. The elders send them to Macau to find out who's behind a new attack. Fu is kidnaped; at the same time, Baya San (the huge granddaughter of the 108 Dragons' aged leaders) demands to be the next head of the gang, not Ron. The childish Baya San has joined forces with the Macau gang, in league with the American mob. A surprise visitor from the US arrives where Fu is being held captive. Can Ron rescue her, find the traitor within the 108 Dragons, defeat his enemies, and bring discipline to Baya San? He must still face the angry and deadly girlfriend of the American visitor.

Comic Book

Crying Freeman 5: Abduction in ChinatownCrying Freeman 5: Abduction in Chinatown · 1992
Crying Freeman 5: Abduction in Chinatown
★ 5.71992
MovieAnimation
In L.A.'s Chinatown, the crime cartel known as K.O. hatches a plot to bring down Ron Tayan and the 108 Dragons. Ron joins forces with the computer-savvy daughter of the local boss; she tracks the attacking gang via electronics, Ron goes to their stronghold via plane. They are kidnapers of young children, using ransom money to fuel their other activities. The troops are ex-Green Berets; the leaders are Larry Park, an expatriate Yank, and Nina Heaven, a killer with a soft spot in her heart for Ron. He's her captive, but she wants him to be her partner. Meanwhile, Fu, armed with her Muramasa sword, and Dark Eyes arrive on the island surreptitiously. The battle lines are drawn.

Comic Book

Crying Freeman 1: Portrait of a KillerCrying Freeman 1: Portrait of a Killer · 1988
Crying Freeman 1: Portrait of a Killer
★ 5.91988
MovieAnimation
Emu Hino, a 29-year-old virgin, witnesses a mob hit and fears that the killer will now find her and kill her. Indeed, he sets out to do so; he's Yo Hinomura, a talented potter and artist who's been conscripted against his will to be the prime hitman for the 108 Dragons, a gang within the Chinese Mafia, who are determined to push aside Tokyo's local crime lords. He breaks into her house, and she asks that he make love to her before he kills her; she connects to his inner self, and he becomes her protector. Now he must defend her against the local crime gang, who have connections with corrupt Tokyo police. Will Yo and Emu make it out alive, and will the 108 Dragons triumph?

Comic Book

Lone Wolf and CubLone Wolf and Cub · 1973
Lone Wolf and Cub
★ 8.11973
SeriesAction & Adventure
Ogami Itto is a master swordsman who holds a position of high power in the Tokugawa Shogunate. Highly trusted by the Shogun, he serves as the official decapitator, assisting lords and samurai who have been ordered by the Shogun to commit seppuku. One day, Itto’s wife and members of his household are brutally murdered by a clan seeking to avenge their lord’s execution, which had been carried out by Itto. In the wake of the attack, two items are left in Itto’s home: his unhurt infant son, Daigoro, and a symbol meant to signify Itto’s betrayal of the Shogun. Disgraced by the false symbol, Itto is labeled a traitor and forced to forfeit his position. He becomes a ronin, wandering the country with his son, searching for the men who killed his wife, seeking to clear his name and avenge her death.

Writer