Episode 303: The Lone Wolf & Cub Saga

Special Guest: Marc Walkow
Guest Co-Hosts: Geoff Todd, Axel Kohagen

The Lone Wolf & Cub Films (also known as the Babycart Films, the Kozure Okami Films, the Shogun Assassin series and more) are six movies released from 1972-1974 starring Tomisaburo Wakayama as Ogami Itto, the Shogun's decapitator. After he's framed by the villainous Yagyu clan, he travels the countryside with his young son in a tricked-out baby cart as an assassin and son for hire. Adapted from the manga by author Kazuo Koike, the films are both gorgeously contemplative and gory bloodbaths.

Geoff Todd and Axel Kohagen join Mike to discuss the original manga, the television adaptations, the 1989 follow-up film, the 1992 reboot, and a handful of influences that the films have had on American popular culture.

Buy Lone Wolf & Cub on Blu-Ray
Buy the manga from Kazuo Koike
Buy the TV series from Kuroto Kagigumi Buy Assassin on the Road to Hell (LW&C 7) on DVD

Music from Hideakira Sakurai and Kunihiko Murai