The epitome of Yakuza films, Kinji Hukasaku′s Another Battle was remade 8 times since 1973, and this current version, is director Junji Sakamoto′s latest film. When the boss of the gang suddenly dies, two of his henchmen rise to take over leadership. Based on the real incident in Osaka, Junji Sakmoto who′s good at illustrating "the masculine world," uses dramatic visuals to show the two men living in a dangerous and violent world. Kaneo Kayoda and Japanese Korean boy, who later calls himself Shoryu Tochino, grow up together in the slums of Osaka. At the age of eleven, they commit murder when Tochino′s parents are humiliated for not being able to pay their debts. 30 years later, Kayoda who has become the top executive of the most powerful Yakuza organization, reunites with Tochino, who is now in charge of the Korean branch. The two friends start another battle, this time revolving around the agony between friendship and the future of the organization. Etsushi Toyokawa of Love Letter and Tomoyasu Hotei of Samurai Fiction give superb performances and Junji Sakamoto′s powerful directing makes this film a joy to watch. (Shion Yang)