I just love this series. Since viewing the first Tokyo Mafia movie last August, I have been hooked and I have purchased every title. A fourth installment has been released and while I was worried that the series would lose its luster I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this movie proves otherwise.

     Ginya Yabuki is back! Played by the very talented Riki Takeuchi. In this film, Yabuki has undergone a transformation. It has been ten years since the powerful Tokyo Mafia challenged the status quo of the main Yakuza (Mafia) syndicate. Since that time, Yabuki has lost everything. His partner has turned on him, killed a powerful leader framed him for the crime Yabuki. In response, the Yakuza capture his girlfriend and drug her to the point where she doesn't even recognize Yabuki and shoots him during his rescue attempt. Yabuki freaks out and kills 300 gangsters in one night earning the name Legendary Assassin.

     Now, a hired gun, Yabuki goes from assignment to assignment wishing to die. However, Ryo, a young gangster, hears the story of the Legendary Assassin and sets out to find him. Ryo discovers that his hero is now a drunk with no regard for his own life. Ryo must decide if an assassin's life is the life for him or if he should live a normal life with a young girl he meets on one of his first hits. Yes, it's a strange and violent world that Yabuki and Ryo live in and if they don't work together they will both be leaving it in a body bag.

     This is a really good movie! It is a very dark and gloomy featuring characters that are all bordering insanity. Yabuki appears to hate Ryo, but he is actually looking out for him, keeping him out of danger. Still, their disagreeable attitudes lead to tension that really moves the film. But can Yabuki keep Ryo away when Xiano Lon, the man responsible for Yabuki's girlfriend's death?

     While it is not as good as the previous three films, it does have a certain coolness that cannot be ignored. I really enjoy the fact that the film seems to center around Ryo and his quest to become a legendary assassin. Yabuki's role is extremely important in this film, but Takeuchi is not seen as much. When he makes his first appearance entering a crowded bar/restaurant and kills a bunch of men, you can't help but get a little excited. His myth has been built up for three movies, Yabuki is a cult hero and every scene he is involved in is welcomed and enjoyed. Takeuchi plays the role of a down and out assassin very well. He is not as cocky as he once was. He is not as inspiring as before. In fact, he is sort of a shell of his former self, but when it is time to get the job done, he cannot be matched.

     While not an action packed as the previous films, Yakuza Blood was a good story and the end will not disappoint the trigger-happy fans. When it all comes to an end, guns blaze, blood flows and action is the name of the game.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.