de Old_Anime_Lady, Junho 18, 2018
33


Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) collaborated with LDH, an artist management company, known for its hit talents such as EXILE and J Soul Brothers Ⅲ from EXILE TRIBE, worked together on this first-ever comprehensive branding entertainment project. "HiGH & LOW" 

Leading up to the movie release in Japan on 16th July 2016, Nippon TV unveiled a TV drama series. Through Hulu Japan, viewers in Japan had access to a special package that included each episode, plus the director's cut.  Moreover, an original soundtrack was produced featuring various artists from the groups of EXILE TRIBE, and a live tour welcomed the audience to the complete look and feel of "HiGH & LOW".

This story revolves around the Yankii or Gangster culture and protecting what is precious to you.  

While there is a tiny representation of women gangs in this story, I think they are only there to meet quota. The women never fight (Correction: until we meet the Mighty Warriors) and only worry about getting a date.  If you are looking for a romance drama or a girl power story, this is not for you.

 BUT if you are looking for high octane adrenaline action backed up with some really really good music, proceed with my overview. Oh and some really nice looking actors..did I mention that? This article will encompass 2 seasons and 4 movies with tiny reveals that do not impact the story (such as which people are in which gang...it gets revealed over the course of the story..I will just lay it out here)


In the beginning there was 1 gang called

Mugen

A motorcycle club that protected the city in it's own way, until the leader stepped down to grow up and open his own diner.  The diner was to ensure that the gang members always had a place to come home to. The second in command kept Mugen alive but lost the vision of why they rode together in the first place.

Akira
Miura Tatsuomi "Kohaku"
 Takamura Tsukumo
Tatsuya
Takaya Hiroyuki -Ota (He is a MMA fighter that has a few acting credits not on MDL)

Okami Yushin - Konishi (he is an MMA fighter with a few acting credits not on MDL)Suzuki Nobuyuki -Asahina YamatoTakanori Iwata- Hino Junpei "Cobra"


Sandaime J Soul Brothers - MUGEN ROAD (MUGEN Theme)


who got too big and out of control until they hit 2 brothers that would not submit

Amamiya Brothers

These brothers are looking for their missing third brother and the people who killed their parents and made it look like suicide and nothing is going to stop them. Nothing and no one.

Amamiya Masaki
Tosaka Hiroomi 
Amamiya Hiroto
Amamiya Takeru

(Only in "Red Rain")


ACE OF SPADES feat. Tosaka Hiroomi - SIN (Amamiya Kyoudai Theme)

ACE OF SPADES - LOUDER (Amamiya Masaki Theme)


Mugen disbanded and the town was then ruled by 5 gangs with an uneasy alliance known as...

S.W.O.R.D

Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad)

This is just the home turf protector, patrol the neighborhood and keep things safe inside their community. They help their neighbors and keep the peace. The remnants of Mugen formed this gang.


Takanori Iwata
Hino Junpei "Cobra"
Asahina Yamato
Harada Noboru

Kataoka Chiharu

Dan Kazuya

Kurosaki Teppei "Tettsu

Ken
Hikaru




Kabuto Ijuin



DOBERMAN INFINITY - Do or Die (Sannoh Rengoukai Theme)


White Rascals

They are the protectors of lost women. The women who have nowhere else to turn, with bad men after them, they can turn to the the White Rascals as a safe haven.  The men who dare to try and retrieve those women without consent do not live to talk about it.


ROCKY
KOO
Inaba Yu KizzyYanagi Shuntaro Kaito
Marco
Nishimura ikki
Heidi
Nisikawa Shunsuke
Lassie
Cossette
 Kenji Darvish - Shimura        Sho Kiryuin - AizawaKyan YutakaBITO   Jun Utahiroba - Enari


PKCZ feat. EXILE SHOKICHI - WHITEOUT (WHITE RASCALS Theme)


Oya high school (Oyakohkoh)

These kids fail just to climb the hierarchy of the gang, but the friendship bonds are tight and they are allys of Sannoh Hoodlum squad...well after Cobra lays out who is boss outside of the school that is.

Murayama Yoshiki
Hideto Furuya
Kotaru Seki
Maeda Goki
Todoroki


Nakabayashi
Jinnai Syo
Nakazono



DOBERMAN INFINITY - JUMP AROUND ∞ (OyaKou Theme)


Rude Boys

These are the parkour, high flying protectors of the Nameless Street. Where every one unwanted or wants to be lost goes. where everyone is family even though there are no blood relations. They do what they need to do to get by, but there is a code that must be upheld and lines that never should be crossed. 




Smoky
Shion
Takeshi


Lala
P


GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE - RUN THIS TOWN (RUDE BOYS Theme)


Durama ikku

This gang is a little crazy, determination and revenge fuel them and they are led by one of the craziest but for some reason my favorite leader of them all.  This gang is in charge of entertainment, festivals and fireworks.

Hyuga Norihisa
Endo Kanami UkyoAbe Ryohei SakyoMoriya Koji Agyo

Izawa Yuki UngyoMizuno Masaru FutaTanaka Shunuske Raita

DJ DARUMA - VOICE OF RED feat. GS (Daruma Ikka Theme)


Mighty Warriors

A rival of SWORD, but more of a neutral gang, only in it for their own gain. Fashion and Music saved them from a life of drudgery.  They fight the gang Doubt which is definitely evil. They are opportunistic and take advantage of weaknesses in SWORDs territory while they fight amongst themselves.

Oya Kana Sarah
Ice
Naoto JesseSaotome Taichi Ryu
Shirahama Alan BernieNogae Shuhei PearlAnarchy 9Likiya Diddy


Sukezane Kiki DixieSekiguchi Mandy Pho

PKCZ feat. CRAZYBOY, ANARCHY, SWAY, MIGHTY CROWN (MASTA SIMON & SAMI-T) - Mighty Warriors (MIGHTY WARRIORS Theme)


Other gangs featured in the series are THE SECOND from EXILE - One Time One Life (Kyuryu Group/Iemura kai Theme) , this is the "Adult" group that is messing with the uneasy peace. E-girls - STRAWBERRY Sadistic (Strawberry Milk Theme) This is the girl gang that hangs around the Hoodlums. Imaichi Ryuji - FOREVER YOUNG AT HEART The hoodlums theme song when they were younger.

Exile started out as a 19 member boy group that has branch out into bands such as J Soul Brothers, Exile the Second, Exile the Third, Exile the Fourth, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, Generations, Fanatastics, Nidaime J Soul Brothers, The Rampage, and Deep.

I hope that my pictures, music links and little overview have piqued your interest to check out HiGH&LOW, HiGH&LOW SEASON 2, HIGH&LOW: The Movie, HiGH&LOW: The Red Rain, HiGH&LOW The Movie 2: END OF SKY  and HiGH&LOW The Movie 3: FINAL MISSION

Have you seen this franchise?  What are your thoughts?