Japanese Title: Hibotan Bakuto - Isshuku Ippan
Director: Norifumi Suzuki

Ryuko Yano, better known as Oryu, the Red Peony is back in action. And she’s better than ever. Part 1 of the Red Peony Series was rather tame in comparison to this (first) sequel. Under the direction of Norifumi Suzuki (who also scripted this one and the two Tai Kato-directed Red Peony Movies) things get a little livelier, sleazier and bloodier. Considering this is one of Suzukis earlier directorial efforts, its astonishing how Gamblers Obligation already has the visual flair that would later be a trademark of Suzukis (see School of the Holy Beast for his absolute highpoint).

Oryu is a guest at Togasaki’s place in Tomioka, a town that lives from its silk farms. Times are hard on the silk farmers, as they are under the iron thumb of Gisuke Kuramochi, a loan shark who secretly works with the other Gang in town, the Kasamatsu-Gumi. Not aware of this nefarious going-ons, Togasaki (Michitaro Mizushima) tries to calm the farmers who want to raid the Kuramochis place. Kasamatsu and his brutal lieutenant (Bunta Sugawara in evil mode) visit Togasaki and they offer their help to wipe out Kuramochi, but he declines. Of course the offer only was a scheme to push Togasaki into action, a ploy that would allow Kasamatsu to tip of the police and get the Togasaki-Gumi rubbed out, but more on that later. During this conversation the two Oyabuns are interrupted, when an underling lets them know, that a Gambling Woman is making too much profit in one of the Gambling Dens. Togasaki sends Oryu, to stop the winning streak. Oren, the Woman Gambler of question, is a heavily tattoed lass, who is accompanied by her husband and knows how to play a mean game. When Oryu steps in to gamble, Oren thinks she can beat the famous Red Peony Gambler, but in the end she looses everything she had won earlier on back to the bank. But she vows to herself, that she will get her revenge on Oryu. The next day Togasaki asks Oryu for a favour. He wants her to get a message to Kumatora (Tomisaburo Wakayama) an Oyabun both of them are acquainted to. Oryu senses, that it’s only a way, to get her out of danger but she is obliged to do him the favour and so she hits the road. That evening Togasaki assembles his men, expect for his loyal Lieutenant Yukichi (Kunio Murata) who is in love with Togasakis daughter Machi. Togasaki tells Yukichi, that he needs someone to watch after the Gang in case he fails. Reluctantly Yukichi stays behind, while Togasaki and his men try a raid on Kuramochis place.

In the meantime Oryu arrives at Kumatoras place, which leads to some comical action from Tomisaburo Wakayama, who’s back as the love blind Oyabun who wanted to marry Oryu in Part 1. Also at Kumatoras place are two bumbling wannabe-Yakuzas who want to be in Oryus Gang and follow her everywhere she goes. But the comical interlude is abruptly interrupted through the message of Togasakis death, who had fallen for the trap that Kasamatsu had planned. Oryu decides to go back to Tomioka to straighten things out. She finds the Gang reduced to Yukichi and Togasakis daughter Machi. While Yukichi tries to take on the Kasamatus single-handedly (and in the last minute gets saved by Oryu), Machi tries to hold on to the business her father had left her and not to sell to Kasamatus who tries to get the business in his hands using any means possible. He even brings together the superior council (the Über-Oyabuns) in Tokyo to get an official approval for the lead over the whole Tomioka-Region. But he didn’t reckon with Oryu turning up and telling her side of the story. To her big disappointment the council decides against her plea (though it seems they were bribed by Kasamatu). When Kasamatsus men, lead by Bunta Sugawara, try to kill Oryu, she gets unexpected help by a stranger, who later turns out to be Shutaro Kazama (Kouji Tsuruta) also known as Killer Shutaro. While they manage to fight of Kasamatsus men, it is one of the two Yakuza-wannabes who actually saves Oryus life by giving his own. Although Oryu is a very patient woman, she finally has enough of Kasamatsus evil plans and returns to Tomioka to clean things up and if it means to gamble her life for justice.

While the first part of Red Peony was definitely good, I still felt it to be a little “stiff” and not much different from other Ninkyo-Eigas of that time. I expected a little more of a series that is heralded as one of the best Yakuza-Series ever. Well, part two came much closer to my high expectations. All the signatures of a classic Ninkyo-Eiga are played out to extreme, the Tattoo’s (the Gambling Woman Oren for example), the Gambling-Scenes, the introduction ceremony (Oryu in front of a blood red background... wonderful) and of course the fights. Visually Red Peony: Gamblers Obligation is a feast. But the story doesn’t hold back either. There are many different side stories woven into the main story and Suzuki manages to combine them with bravura. Though I must admit, that Tomisaburo Wakayamas Country Pumpkin Yakuza in love with Oryu is kinda annoying. I guess it’s just not my kind of humour. If you were disappointed by Red Peony 1, give the series another chance with Part 2, I’m sure you might change your mind and might want to see more. And believe me, Part 3 gets even better.

Courtesy Yakuza Eiga

Other Red Peony Films:

Red Peony Gambler aka Lady Yakuza (1968) (Pt.1)
Red Peony: Hanafuda Game (1969) (Pt.3)
Red Peony: Second Generation Ceremony (1969) (Pt.4)
Red Peony: Notorious Gambler (1969) (Pt.5)
Red Peony: Here comes Oryu (1970) (Pt.6)
Red Peony: Request for your Life (1971) (Pt.7)
Red Peony: Execution of Duty (1972) (Pt.8)