For those who don’t know what we’re talking about, Kage no Gundan aka Shadow Warriors (1980) and Yagyu Conspiracy (1978) both starred Sonny Chiba as historical ninja/samurai types. I much preferred Yagyu.
Chiba much later appeared in Kill Bill as a character with the same name as his KnG character, presumably his descendant.
In the commentaries to Kill Bill, director refers to Shadow Warriors, but not (ifrc) Yagyu. However, Kill Bill includes some music from Yagyu (at 1:41:00) and lines from the Yagyu opening credits (at 15:40 & 58:05)
Chiba Shinichi (Sonny) played Hattori Hanzo in the Edo era (Koga clan?) but Yagyu Conspiracy he was Yagyu Jubei, a different time and clan, protecting Iemetsu (hope I’m correct!). That’s why in Kill Bill the director could mention Hattori Hanzo but not Yagyu Jubei.
If you ever find where to watch Yagyu, let us know! As I said, I have the first season of Shadow Warriors on DVD but they never made the other seasons.
I only have the first season of
Correct about the characters. I fact, in one Yagyuu episode, Chiba’s character killed an ugly guy named Hattori Hanzo. I believe the time periods of Yagyuu & Shadow season 1 overlap – Yagyuu opens in 16323, early Shogunate. I *think* that’s roughly Shadow 1 time (?)
I actually recorded most of Yagyuu on VHS 6-hour speed, and later copied to DVD. Picture quality stinks and I missed 3 eps plus part of 2 others.
These guys want $129.95 and are presumably a complete set and likely better picture quality.
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Kage no Gundan ending theme song (brings back memories)
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 10:51 AM
Kage no Gundan -edit didn’t work.
Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
June 25, 2019 at 12:06 PM
The Yagyu Conspiracy aka Yagyū Ichizoku no Inbō !
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 12:30 PM
I used to have it on VHS but no more. Would love to find any dvd’s at a reasonable cost!
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 12:35 PM
I mean I used to have Yagyu Conspiracy on tape.
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Hopefully the ending song link now works…I have season one of Kage no Gundan on DVD.
Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
June 25, 2019 at 2:41 PM
For those who don’t know what we’re talking about, Kage no Gundan aka Shadow Warriors (1980) and Yagyu Conspiracy (1978) both starred Sonny Chiba as historical ninja/samurai types. I much preferred Yagyu.
Chiba much later appeared in Kill Bill as a character with the same name as his KnG character, presumably his descendant.
In the commentaries to Kill Bill, director refers to Shadow Warriors, but not (ifrc) Yagyu. However, Kill Bill includes some music from Yagyu (at 1:41:00) and lines from the Yagyu opening credits (at 15:40 & 58:05)
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 3:03 PM
Chiba Shinichi (Sonny) played Hattori Hanzo in the Edo era (Koga clan?) but Yagyu Conspiracy he was Yagyu Jubei, a different time and clan, protecting Iemetsu (hope I’m correct!). That’s why in Kill Bill the director could mention Hattori Hanzo but not Yagyu Jubei.
If you ever find where to watch Yagyu, let us know! As I said, I have the first season of Shadow Warriors on DVD but they never made the other seasons.
I only have the first season of
Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
June 25, 2019 at 4:11 PM
Correct about the characters. I fact, in one Yagyuu episode, Chiba’s character killed an ugly guy named Hattori Hanzo. I believe the time periods of Yagyuu & Shadow season 1 overlap – Yagyuu opens in 16323, early Shogunate. I *think* that’s roughly Shadow 1 time (?)
I actually recorded most of Yagyuu on VHS 6-hour speed, and later copied to DVD. Picture quality stinks and I missed 3 eps plus part of 2 others.
These guys want $129.95 and are presumably a complete set and likely better picture quality.
http://www.japanesesamuraidvd.com/.sc/ms/dd/Latest%20Arrivals/438/Yagyu%20Conspiracy%20TV%20Series%20-%20Sonny%20Chiba%20-%20Remastered
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 5:50 PM
It’s been nice to find another Kage no Gundan/Yagyu fan!
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Wait – what happened to the link? Grrr….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8OJmtfTvDc
Linda Palapala
June 25, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Aargh…above link is Kage no Gundan ending theme song.