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Crows Zero 2
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Wikipedia article
is a 2009 Japanese action film directed by Takashi Miike with a screenplay by Shogo Muto. It is the second film based on the manga 'Crows' by Hiroshi Takahashi, and a direct sequel to 2007's 'Crows Zero'. The film stars much of the cast from the first film, including Shun Oguri, Kysuke Yabe, Meisa Kuroki, and Takayuki Yamada reprising their roles. It was released in Japan on April 11, 2009.
Plot
Eight months after triumphing over Serizawa Tamao (Takayuki Yamada), Takiya Genji (Shun Oguri) still struggles to attain supremacy at Suzuran All-Boys High School. Following a decisive defeat at the hands of the legendary Rindaman, and on the verge of graduating without fulfilling his goal, Genji grows quietly desperate. He begins challenging Rindaman regularly, but consistently fails to beat him. His situation escalates when he unwittingly breaks a non-aggression pact between Suzuran and a rival school, Housen Academy, by coming to the aid of Kawanishi Noboru (Shinnosuke Abe) during a heated confrontation. Genji learns that the agreement between the two schools was established two years prior when, during a skirmish, Noboru violated a gang law and used a weapon to fatally wound Housen's former leader, Bit Makio. Suzuran had subsequently sworn not to interfere with Housen's retribution upon Noboru's release from prison. Genji's protection of Kawanishi provokes Housen's current leader, Narumi Taiga (Nobuaki Kaneko), to declare war against Suzuran. Genji and his allies go on the defensive, engaging in several violent conflicts with Housen's "Army of Killers".
Cast
* Shun Oguri - Takiya Genji
* Takayuki Yamada - Serizawa Tamao
* Kuroki Meisa - Aizawa Ruka
* Kysuke Yabe - Katagiri Ken
* Kenta Kiritani - Tatsukawa Tokio
* Suzunosuke Tanaka - Tamura Chta
* Ssuke Takaoka - Izaki Shun
* Goro Kishitani - Takiya Hideo
* Motoki Fukami - Rindaman / Hayashida Megumi
* Shunsuke Dait - Kirishima Hiromi
* Tsutomu Takahashi - Makise Takashi
* Yusuke Kamiji - Tsutsumoto Shji
* Yusuke Izaki - Mikami Manabu
* Hisato Izaki - Mikami Takeshi
* Ry Hashizume - Honj Toshiaki
* Yu Koyanagi - Sugihara Makoto
* Kaname End - Tokaji Yji
* Shinnosuke Abe - Kawanishi Noboru
* Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi - Bit Makio
* Nobuaki Kaneko - Narumi Taiga
* Kengo Ohkuchi - Kumagiri Rikiya
* Tomoya Warabino - Shibayama Hayato
* G Ayano - Urushibara Ry
* Kazuki Namioka - Washio Gta
* Haruma Miura - Bit Tatsuya
Release
The film was released in Japan on April 11, 2009. It was also screened internationally in Singapore, Russia, and Hong Kong throughout 2009, and in the United States at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 6, 2010.
Reception
Box office
The film grossed US$29,893,636 worldwide.Critical reception
Reviews of the film were generally positive. Niels Matthijs of 'Twitch Film' gave it a positive review, saying, "Visually 'Crows Zero II' is still looking incredibly slick. Maybe not as many landmark shots, but the dense and graffiti-laden backgrounds make for a tasty looking film alright. The fighting scenes are still a blast to behold too, with strong, intense and action-driven camera work and some tight editing to keep the adrenaline flowing." Likewise, Mark Schilling of 'The Japan Times' gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, saying, "Miike directs with an energy, velocity and cheeky bravado that are pure punk. He also understands why his Suzuran toughs fight as easily as they breathe - its not just a release for their raging hormones, but a way of being with their friends and telling the world they exist."Sequels & adaptations
The film was followed by a sequel, 'Crows Explode', in 2014. It was also adapted into a manga entitled 'Crows Zero II: Suzuran x Housen', illustrated by Hirakawa Tetsuhiro (writer of 'Clover') and published in 'Bessatsu Shnen Champion' magazine.
References
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