Kick me. Punch me. Parkour me in the face already.
News of the pending September 20 arrival of all seven film entries of the hit HiGH&LOW franchise hit me hard in the good feels of my solar plexus on Thursday night. The films aren’t even the start of it though as the franchise launched on NTV in late 2015 as a 10-part drama, and starring members of supergroup, Exile Tribe, who play warring gangsters in a fractured town known as S.W.O.R.D..
The most recent entry, HiGH&LOW: The Worst, led off with a six-part NTV prequel series. I can’t speak on either series or how they may weigh into the films since I haven’t seen it, though I take comfort in the line-up including at least seven of the titles beginning with the origin film, Road To HiGH&LOW, for good measure.
Shepherded by Exile Hiro, LDH and showrunner/filmmaker Shigeaki Kubo, the trailers all speak for themselves as they delve heavily into an emotively-fueled and action-packed narrative – and a dose of comedy for one title – all headlined by some of today’s most vibrant young talents to hit the screen. That the films of this franchise are finally headed our way with Netflix is more than rewarding.
All seven movie titles from the mega “HiGH&LOW” franchise coming to NETFLIX from September 20th!
This movie is packed with powerful action scenes that can be rare among Japanese theatrical releases, but also beautifully features the friendship and bond between the young gang members.
Frankly, I think I’ll toot my own horn for a bit: Not only have I been promoting these films for six whole freakin’ years now without ever seeing a single one, I pushed this franchise on TWO websites – the other being Screen Anarchy during the campaign for High & Low: The Movie.
It’s been fun and even a little emotional waiting here in the West to see if this franchise would arrive on our doorsteps. Now it’s worldwide, and it’s coming. It’s finally coming. Of course, the jury is out on how the film’s stand for my own viewing, but I’m freakin’ proud right now. This is gonna be some dope viewing..
Oh, and here’s the order in which the films themselves play out, the latest being HiGH&LOW: The Worst. Cheers!
Road to High & Low (2016)
High & Low: The Movie (2016)
High & Low: The Red Rain (2016)
High & Low The Movie 2: End of Sky (2017)
High & Low The Movie 3: Final Mission (2017)
DTC Yukemuri Junjo hen From High & Low (2018)
High & Low: The Worst (2019)
