Gamblers & Drifters

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MVPs

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PLOT

Oryu the Red Peony

Run Time: start to 8:20

A gambling hall in Iwakuni, mid-Meiji era. Men of the Takehara family are engaged in an intense hanafuda (flower cards) match. Amongst them, a lone woman player, solemnly choosing a hidden card: meet Oryu the Red Peony (Fuji Junko).

In this scene, the group is likely playing a (banned in Japan) game of Tehonbiki (手本引き), wherein the players must guess the value of a card hidden by the Bank (Oryu in this case). A summary of the rules can be found here: https://l-pollett.tripod.com/cards70.htm.

Suddenly, a commotion interrupts the game: an intense, unnamed visitor accuses one of the Takehara men, Ebimasa (Numata Yoichi), of using a trick card, and daring the group to lift a sword to him if he’s wrong. Strong words from Fujimatsu the Immortal (Machida Kyōsuke)!

After Fujimatsu is allegedly proven wrong, the Takehara men move in on him – but they are stopped by Oryu, who throws a pin at the cheater’s card, revealing its double-side to the group. Calming Fujimatsu, she asks the oyabun (family boss) for compensation, as required by the yakuza code; cornered, he agrees to payment and orders Ebimasa to cut his finger, as the rest of the men tremble with rage.

Outside, Fujimatsu formally introduces himself to Oryu, identifying himself as a member of the Kumatora family, led by Kumasaka Torakichi, and thanking her for her intervention. He suggests that Oryu joins him to visit his family but she declines, explaining that she is a lone wanderer. The two part, to Fujimatsu’s regret.

Meeting Katagiri, and Oryu’s Tragic Past

Running time: 8:21 to 22:40

A beautiful sunset illuminates a small cemetary, where a man is silent praying to a tombstone, before crossing paths with Oryu. As Oryu walks on, a group of men suddenly appear: the Takehara family, led by Ebimasa – and out for blood. Oryu, undaunted, immediately draws her tantō (dagger), and, in the growing night, fends off the men in a whirlwind of action, before being slashed in the shoulder.

As she prepares to go on the attack again, the man from the cemetery steps between Oryu and the men. He introduces himself as Katagiri Naoki (Takakura Ken), and orders them to leave, breaking one the men’s arms in swift move and threatening to kill the next who comes near him. Scared by both Oryu and the mysterious Katagiri, the Takehara men flee.

The men gone, Oryu introduces herself to Katagiri and explains the reason for the men’s visit. Katagiri notices her shoulder wound and offers to dress it for her – but Oryu is reluctant to show her shoulder… and tattoo. Mistaking her reluctance for coyness, Katagiri jokes that Oryu may be a fighter, but she is still a woman at heart – only to be roughly rebuffed by an irritated Oryu, who finally reveals her shoulder reluctantly. A flash of understanding crosses Katagiri’s face, but he says nothing, applying ointment to her wound in silence.

As she bows in thanks, a wallet falls off Oryu’s kimono. Katagiri recognises it and, stunned, picks it up. Oryu reads his reaction and begs him to tell her where he knows it from – to no avail, with Katagiri unconvincingly stating that he doesn’t know. Oryu, disappointed, switches gears, and quietly explains that the wallet represents revenge for her father, brutally murdered by a street mugger. Katagiri is intrigued and asks her for the story in exchange for information… if he can spare it.

Oryu’s story starts in Itsuki, Kumamoto, in Kyushu, and with her father Yano Senzo (Murai Kyōnosuke), a gambler leading a small independent yakuza family in Hitoyoshi. After Oryu’s mother’s passing, her father, wishing to spare her the yakuza life, raises Oryu as an accomplished young woman, versed in various traditional art and culture (including sword, of course). Her impeccable education eventually leads her to a happy engagement with local wealthy merchant Marukane; the future looks bright.

As her father’s men gently tease Oryu about her upcoming wedding, a man suddenly comes in yelling in alarm: it’s Shin, aka Fugushin (Yamamoto Rinichi), screaming that Yano Senzo has been murdered. Oryu and the men find him outside, lying lifeless next to a thicket of white peonies – stained red with his blood. The murderer has escaped, but Oryu picks up his wallet, dropped in the peonies.

Oryu must bear more misfortune when, on the 49th day after Yano Senzo’s death, her engagement to Marukane is broken off, with the Yano men (led by Oryu’s uncle) openly criticising the unlikely pairing they so praised previously. Adding insult to the injury, the men announce that they are breaking free from the Yano family, forming a new family to take care of the territory – leaving Oryu and her sole retainer Fugushin powerless and adrift. “This is a male business. No matter how tough you are, a woman is only a woman after all“, adds the traitor.

Some time later, Fugushin, inconsolable, approaches Oryu, who is silenty reflecting at her father’s altar. He expresses his distress and frustration about the men who effectively dismantled the Yano family: “Don’t you think that the true yakuza way requires loyalty and compassion?“, he asks, before sobbing that the boss must be weeping in his grave, and making Oryu cry.

Who murdered Yano Senzo, and why? Oryu’s uncle who moved in surprisingly quickly and efficiently in an effort to nab the territory from the Yano family… Coincidence?

Oryu, clutching the mysterious wallet, announces that she will roam across Japan as a gambler until she finds the culprit, and can avenge her father. She frees Fugushin from his service, asking him to go back to civilian life, and officially disbands the Yano family.

Oryu walks out and, in front of the white peony thicket, addresses her father, asking forgiveness for what she is about to do: become a man. The white peonies turn to red… and Oryu the Red Peony is born.

Oryu’s story deeply concerns Katagiri, who quickly reiterates that he doesn’t know anything. Oryu understands the meaning behind the words: he knows, but will not tell. As she turns away, disappointed, Katagiri remarks that she betrayed the will of her parents, becoming a woman who lives in the world of men. Oryu rebuffs him angrily once more, quipping that she was born strong-willed anyway.

Suddenly, footsteps are heard: the Takehara men are back for round two! Oryu and Katagiri hide inside a nearby boat, fooling the pursuers into running ahead. As they get further away, Katagiri jumps out, whispering to Oryu that he’ll take care of them, covering for her escape. Oryu is touched, until she realises that Katagiri left… with the wallet.

Meeting Kumasaka, and the Fugushin Incident

Running time: 22:41 to 30:47

Aboard a carriage, Oryu hears of a fight between a former Yano family member and an Iwazu family member – with the former gaining protection from the stubborn Kumatora leader, an old friend the Yano family. Oryu enquires about the name of the Yano man: it’s Fugushin!

Oryu immediately makes her way to the Kumatora clan – where Fujimatsu and the rest of the family seem to be preparing for a big fight. The Kumatora boss Kumasaka Torakichi (Wakayama Tomisaburō) is seen gulping sake and eating an enormous sushi roll next to a very contrite-looking Fugushin.

Kumasaka tells Fugushin that he doesn’t have to keep puffing up his face – a reference to his nickname “Fugu (Shin)”, aka Puffer Fish in Japanese! As for Kumasaka of the Kumatora family, his name can be translated as Bear of the Bear-Tiger family – a fun reference to his fearsome appearance.

Fugushin asks Kumasaka to let him give himself up to Iwazu, in order to avoid a pointless war – but Kumasaka refuses, arguing that Fugushin’s boss Oryu helped one of his men (Fujimatsu), and it is the honorable yakuza way to repay the favour. One last task remains before declaring war: writing the letter of challenge to Iwazu.

Kumasaka’s sister Okiyo (Wakamizu Yaeko) is the only one able to write the letter, but she is reluctant, not wanting to provoke a large-scale war that might destroy the Kumatora clan over such a small quarrel. Her argument with her brother is cut short when a guest arrives at the Kumatora house: Oryu.

Oryu starts to formally introduce herself and to apologise on Fugushin’s behalf, only to be cut short by a smitten Kumasaka.

Kumasaka is so smitten with Oryu in fact that he misnames his man Fujimatsu – much to his displeasure!

After commenting on Oryu’s beauty (which Oryu ignores), Kumasaka explains that Oryu has nothing to apologise for, as he is only doing his yakuza duty – and invites her to come in.

Oryu and Fugushin finally catch-up alone. Fugushin explains that he has been roaming Japan over the last three years in order to become a good gambler, and a worthy #1 follower of Oryu. Oryu is reproachful, reminding him that she asked him to become a civilian – but Fugushin protests, expressing his sadness at the lonely Oryu carrying her burden alone, and apologising for causing her even more trouble. Oryu kindly reassures him, adding that she will take care of the problem.

In this scene, Oryu adeptly turns Fugushin’s mention of her womanhood against him: as Fugushin hints at her frailty (thought we all know who would be more scary in battle between Oryu and Fugushin), she refers back to this nonsensical statement when he starts crying. “Can’t you see that I, a woman, am still smiling?“. Oryu 1, Fugushin 0.

Back in the main room, Fujimatsu finally brings the letter of challenge to Kumasaka – but Kumasaka is pensive, reminding Fujimatsu of his fiancee Kimika in Osaka, and asking him to consider this war carefully. Fujimatsu brushes his concerns aside, reminding him that he is first and foremost a follower of Kumasaka, and that the war is his yakuza duty. The two ponder on the uneven match ahead, but agree to deliver the letter immediately.

Oryu interrupts them, aware of the danger now looming over the Kumatora clan, and offers to solve the conflict her own way. Kumasaka refuses, begging her to take Fugushin and leave to safety. Oryu retorts that Kumasaka is only offering this option because she is a woman: would Kumasaka himself take leave when a war had mistakenly been triggered by one of his men? Kumasaka is speechless, and Oryu goes to the see the Iwazu family.

Iwazu, Otaka, and The Peony Surprise

Running time: 30:48 to 36:22

As she arrives at the Iwazu family, Oryu is greeted with hostility, and barred from seeing Iwazu himself. Undeterred, she calmly announces that she won’t die until she meets with him, judoka-ing an unsuspecting Iwazu man out of her way and threatening the others with a gun, all the while walking straight into the room where she finds Iwazu Genzo (Kaneko Nobuo).

Iwazu, shocked but mostly annoyed, quiets his men and asks Oryu for an explanation. She apologises, explaining that she is a guest of the Kumatora and seeks a truce between the two families. Iwazu brushes her off, saying that a girl should not meddle in these matters.

Oryu, keeping her cool, tells Iwazu that her man Fugushin caused the war, and that pointless bloodshed on his behalf would be more painful than death for her. Iwazu brushes her off once more, telling Oryu to go back to Kumasaka and tell him that his trick sending a woman doesn’t work, gesturing to his men to move on Oryu.

Before he’s even done nodding to his men, Oryu shoots the ceiling, and points the gun… straight at Iwazu’s face. Wouldn’t it be shameful for a family like him to lose their boss because of a “trick sending a woman”?

Oryu once more turns a comment about her gender into a smart comeback, an excellent outsmarting of the hypocrisy that always surrounds these barbs.

Oryu pushes to gun towards Iwazu and reveals her peony tattoo (making Iwazu all but dribble): if Iwazu wants this war so much, how about shooting these red peonies to start it? As she states that she is ready to die, Iwazu asks one of his men to shoot – but they are interrupted by another yakuza boss, entering from the garden: Otaka of Okagura, head of the Doman family in Dojima, Osaka.

Otaka takes one look at the situation and asks to step in, grabbing hold of the gun and introducing herself to Oryu. She offers to take over Oryu’s life by shooting the red peonies, thus ending the war. Oryu accepts thankfully, and Iwazu silently agrees.

Otaka, solemn, slowly aims, as Oryu lowers her eyes and calmly steels herself. Otaka takes one last look at Oryu and shoots… at the red peony flowers outside, behind Oryu. “I shot the red peonies as promised. Well?” she smirks at Iwazu.

Oryu, relieved, looks at Otaka with admiration as Iwazu bursts out laughing, remarking to Otaka that she may be old – but she’s still cool.

Iwazu salutes Oryu’s stubbornness, and agrees to her deal. Otaka, smiling kindly at Oryu, tells her that she reminds her or her younger days – with Iwazu joking that she was never as beautiful, and Otaka retorting that was was definitely beautiful enough for Iwazu to be crazy about her. The pair laughs, and the Kumatora – Iwazu war is cancelled.

Zero Weddings and One Kyōdaibun

Running time: 36:23 to 41:49

Back at the Kumatora, Okiyo is pestering Fugushin: won’t he help arrange a marriage between Kumasaka and Oryu? Fugushin just about explodes when he hears the suggestion, outraged that Kumasaka would even dare think of marrying Oryu.

Oryu and Kumasaka come back from the reconciliation ceremony between Kumatora and Iwazu and spirits are high, with talks of a grand celebration… and more possible good news on the way – at which mention Kumasaka blushes and coyly runs away, to everyone’s surprise.

Alone with Oryu, Fugushin asks her to leave immediately, adding that she must get away from the Kumatora family. Oryu tells him off him for speaking ill of their friends, and Fugushin’s explanation is cut short by Okiyo entering the room.

In his protests, Fugushin mentions Kumasaka’s “bear-like” traits continuing the play on Kumasaka’s appearance, and name.

Finally alone with Oryu, Okiyo starts her plea: isn’t Kumasaka a dependable man? Wouldn’t more… permanent links with him be beneficial to both? Would Oryu please consider marking their formal engagement with a sakazuki (ceremonial cup)? Oryu accepts gracefully, to Okiyo’s utter joy, wondering aloud if she truly is a match good enough for Kumasaka.

Sakazuki are traditional shallow cups used for yakuza ceremonies, but also for regular weddings – and, as we find out, it’s *very* important to specify which ceremony you intend the cup for!

Okiyo runs to a nervous Kumasaka to share the news, making Kumasaka almost faint with happiness and bawl his eyes out. Meanwhile, Fugushin, more puffed up than ever, admonishes Oryu – a woman of her upbringing, the wife of the bear-like Kumasaka? Oryu is confused, and corrects Fugushin: yes, she will share a sakazuki with Kumasaka – but to become kyōdai, not husband and wife!

Fugushin is relieved, but another misunderstanding must be cleared up: Kumasaka and Okiyo, who run down the corridor to thank Oryu for accepting the proposal. Oryu, embarrassed, explains that the sakazuki she agreed to was to become kyōdai, to the absolute horror of both Kumasaka and Okiyo.

Nonetheless, the ceremony goes ahead, chaired by Iwazu and Otaka. A lifelong bond is forged.

While the formal alliance between Yano (Oryu) and Kumatora (Kumasaka) is played for laughs, the ceremony is real and will be taken very seriously by both parties as the series goes on, with Kumasaka honouring Oryu as his true kyōdai and equal time and time again.

The Yoshitaro Incident, Part 1

Running time: 41:50 to 45:20

Oryu is visiting boss Otaka in Osaka when a worrying incident occurs: Yoshitaro (Yamashiro Shingo), Otaka’s son with a learning disability, has once again come back home covered in bruises. Yoshitaro soon forgets his worries as he spots Oryu, who gracefully introduces herself to him, as well as Fujimatsu and Fugushin. Yoshitaro laughs happily at Fushushin’s face (more puffed up than ever) – but Okata is somber, understanding that a more sinister game is afoot.

Otaka asks her men to explain their injuries, sustained while protecting Yoshitaro, and her fears are confirmed: the Sennari family has indeed attacked Yoshitaro again, likely to put pressure on Otaka to make her give up her influence over her territory.

Right on cue, Otaka immediately receives a visit from Sennari’s second generation boss Kakurai Gōzo (Ōki Minoru), asking her to cooperate in taxing local trade and civilians crossing her territory. The request disgusts Otaka, who dryly tells Kakurai that gambling yakuza should not meddle in civilian business, and that her territory will never be part of Kakurai’s grand plan. Kakurai, unphased, reminds Otaka that he will run for city council, and will need her and the civilian’s support – one way or another.

Kakurai and Katagiri

Running time: 45:21 to 51.24

Kakurai goes home to find a visitor from his past: it’s Katagiri!

As he waits for Kakurai, Katagiri is seen in a garden looking pensively at red peonies. Thinking of anyone in particular?…

The reunion starts warmly, with Kakurai congratulating Katagiri for being released from prison on parole, and Katagiri thanking him for taking care of his mother, and then her grave, while he was serving time – as well as for the numerous gifts he sent him in prison.

As Kakurai and Katagiri reminisce, we get the sense that they were great friends (“your mother was just like my own“, “you saved my life that time” says Kakurai to Katagiri), and that Kakurai was perhaps once a good person. But times have changed the two men, which is reflected even in their clothing: Katagiri in a muted kimono, and Kakarai in freshly pressed, tailored Western clothes. “Today, it’s money and power that talk!” states Kakurai to a very unconvinced Katagiri.

Katagiri shares another memory with Kakurai, which soon turns the meeting upside down: a gift that Katagiri once gave Kakurai in a past celebration, and that turned up in an expected place… The wallet!

Kakurai turns white, understanding the meaning of Katagiri’s silent question. Katagiri presses him, saying he hopes that no foul play occured – perhaps Kakurai handed this the wallet to someone else, and did not drop this himself? Surely a descendent of a prosperous samurai family wouldn’t fall so low as to become a street mugger?

Kakurai, embarrassed, finally explains himself: the shame of his family being reduced to impoverished gamblers after the Meiji restoration drove him to despair – and to drastic actions to regain the lifestyle he once had, including killing an innocent in the street. Katagiri, unimpressed, reminds him that his status will never erase the dishonour of being a street mugger, urging him to repent and make amends if he truly feels remorse.

As Kakurai begs Katagiri to overlook his past crime, Katagiri informs him that his victim’s daughter Oryu the Red Peony Gambler is travelling Japan to avenger her father’s murder – and that they met, although Katagiri did not reveal Kakurai’s identity. Kakurai, grateful, swears to Katagiri that he will do the honourable thing and make amends when he meets Oryu. Katagiri nods gravely, asking his friend to remember the good person he once was. Under an ominous thunderstorm, the two part.

The Kimika Incident

Running time: 51.25 to 1:02:30

In Osaka, Fujimatsu decides to visit his sweetheart Kimika (Mishima Yuriko), a geisha. As he enters the okiya (tea house) and calls out to her, Kimika immediately recognises his voice, but her happy expression soon turns to despair, and she turns away from him, asking him to leave.

Fujimatsu, confused, demands explanations, but is stopped by the okiya mother (owner of the house and manager of the geisha), who informs him that Kimika is to be married to good party (hint: unlike the yakuza Fujimatsu) named… Kakurai! The wealthy Kakurai has paid for her debt and provided further money to the okiya, sealing a very profitable deal for the okiya and for Kimika’s “freedom”.

As a future geisha enters an okiya, the costs of boarding and extensive & expensive traditional arts training to become a fully fledged geisha would be paid upfront by the okiya, piling a substantial amount of debt on the young trainee.

A geisha could only formally leave the house when her debts was repaid, for example by a patron – which is happening here to Kimika via Kakurai. More information on geisha’s debt system and history can be found here: https://historycollection.com/brutal-beauty-the-dark-reality-behind-the-life-of-a-geisha/.

Fujimatsu is in disbelief, and Kimika, in tears, runs away. Before Fujimatsu can catch her, her okiya stops him, urging him to let her go so she can finally find stability and happiness after so many hardships. Fujimatsu, devastated, comes home drunk – and Oryu, hearing his sad story, knows exactly what she needs to do next.

Kakurai is cosying up to a clearly uncomfortable Kimika when someone knocks at the door: Oryu! She introduces herself politely as Yano Ryuko, the daughter of Yano Senzo, to a visibly shaken Kurakai, twitching and fanning himself manically.

Oryu explains that she is here to ask Kakurai to hold off redeeming Kimika – to Kimika’s shock. Oryu asks Kimika if she will marry Fujimatsu once freed, and explains the situation to Kakurai, asking him to consider the lovebirds’ feelings, before giving him the exact sum that he offered for Kimika, and a little extra to be polite.

The conversation takes on an unpleasant turn as Kakurai catches a glimpse of Oryu’s nape, leering at her and forming a devious plan. He explains that he doesn’t care about a geisha or two, but that he can’t simply give Kimika away – and offers Oryu a simple match of Chō-Han. If she wins, Kimika is free. If she loses… Oryu is to “do as Kakurai says” – the implication of which is very clear to everyone.

Chō-Han, or “Even or Odd”, is a simple dice game, typical of the yakuza bakuto (gambling) world. The simple rules and context can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8D-han

Clearly outraged but confident in her ability, Oryu accepts, despite Kimika’s protests.

It’s interesting to note that this time, Oryu doesn’t ask Kakurai not to underestimate her as a woman – perhaps because she knows he will anyway, and also because she knows this will play in her favour, lulling him into the false impression that he could win a game against Oryu the master gambler.

Oryu wins the game, to Kakurai’s annoyance and Kimika’s elation. But Kaku-“not above a geisha or two“-rai refuses to hand over Kimka’s deed, asking Oryu to have a drink with him first, and handing her a tokkuri (flask) and ochoko (cup) of sake for her to pour – calling her beautiful when she’s angry.

“You need to win the woman you love!” said Oryu to Fujimatsu earlier on. Ironically, Kimika has indeed been won – but by Oryu herself.

Oryu smiles sweetly and, asking him how he would like his sake poured, promptly throws the whole content of the tokkuri in his face. Snatching Kimika’s deed, Oryu smiles further and adds: “Not like that? Oh, I have never poured sake for a man before :)”, before asking him to let her go if he’s truly “a man”. Kakurai 0 – Oryu 200.

Kakurai, humiliated and determined to have Oryu by force, smirks as she is stopped by his armed men at the door. He points at a made-up bed, crassly asking Oryu to stick around – prompting her to start unwrapping her tanto.

But before the fight can begin, another guest announces himself: Katagiri, who, outraged by the unfolding scene, walks in on Kakurai and abruplty slaps him down to the ground, asking him if he forgot his promise.

Kakurai walks off in shame, as Katagiri salues Oryu, who stares at him in silence.

Duel in the Moonlight

Running time: 1:02:30 to 1:08:16

Oryu and Katagiri walk alongside the river, and Oryu confronts him: why steal the wallet and disappear? As Katagiri remains silent, Oryu presses him, begging him to share the name of the assassin. Katagiri finally gives a flat, insincere answer: he is the murderer.

Oryu stares at him in disbelief but reaches for her tanto once again, asking him to do the same as she (unlike others…) refuses to act like a mugger and stab someone in the back. As she finally takes a swing, Katagiri stays her hand, and admits that this half-truth is all that he can share for now.

Oryu presses him again, increasingly desperate in front of the mute Katagiri. Katagiri, somewhat patronisingly, asks her if she has ever killed someone, and warns her against the stain forever leaves on one’s soul.

Katagiri perhaps doesn’t need to worry so much: judging by her skill at the blade, and by the very deadly stabbing she will do over the following scenes and episodes of the series, Oryu most definitely has killed and will kill again if needed.

Oryu cuts him short, repeating her question – only for Katagiri to repeat that no matter how much she presents herself as a man, Oryu is still a woman, which must make her father sad. Oryu, once again, rebukes him hard, and reminds him that she is the master of hew own destiny and family, asking to stop preaching and start answering instead (go Oryu!).

Katagiri refuses one last time, and informs Oryu that he will no longer avoid her blade if she aims it at him. Oryu, unwilling to stab an innocent, must pull away, and lets him go.

As fireworks explode in beautiful colours behind her, Oryu, filled with despair and weary of her unending quest, tearfully throws the wallet into the river. The journey to find her father’s murderer is not over.

The Yoshitaro Incident Part 2, and Fugushin’s Fate

Running time: 1:08:17 to 1:28:24

At a food stall, Oryu and Fugushin discuss Oryu’s father’s murderer – does Fugushin remember his face? He does, of course, stating that he will never forget it as long as he lives.

Fugushin realises that Oryu has met with Katagiri again, but Oryu, pensive, reassures him that he is not their enemy.

Meanwhile, actual murderer Kakurai is scheming – and tells his men that his brother Katagiri is actually the murderer of Oryu’s father, and that he covered for him, outraging everyone.

Some time later, Fugushin is running around, trying to find Yoshitaro – to no avail. He does however stumble upon Fujimatsu and Kimika, both radiant with shared happiness. Fujimatsu explains that he can’t go back to Shikoku yet as he is still on a mission to assist Oryu, prompting Kimika to joke that Fujimatsu simply misses Fugushin, and that he prefers men’s company to women’s anyway. The two who gently chide Fugushin about being in love with his boss Oryu, prompting a big puff.

Meanwhile, we learn of the reason behind Yoshitaro’s absence: local courtesan Himeyakko, with whom he seems well acquainted with, has sent him a letter asking him to join her urgently. The two move to the bedroom when a net is suddenly dropped on the couple, trapping an angry Yoshitaro as Himeyakko runs into one of the men’s arms: Yoshitaro has just been caught and kidnapped by Kakurai’s men!

The Sennari men immediately pay a visit to Otaka, rudely announcing that they have her son, will torture him if needed, and will only give him back if she gives up her local influence on the territory wanted by Kakurai.

But Otaka, while visibly fighting her emotions, is made of sterner stuff. Angry at the Kakurai machinations, she sends them running off empty-handed: if they must kill her son, so be it – and the territory will never be theirs. The Sennari men, shocked, announce that she has until eight in the morning to change her mind and, their arrogance taken down a peg, leave.

Oryu hears a devasted Fugushi’s explanation about what transpired with Yoshitaro, before stumbling upon a shattered Otaka, alone and lamenting her son born under a strange star, the punishment for his mother being a gambler; Otaka expresses her despair at not being able to spare his life, wishing that their places be reversed. Oryu, deeply touched, decides to act, and prepares to make her way to the Sennari.

Meanwhile, at the Sennari, a returning bad boi enters the scene: it’s Ebimasa, the cheater who was exposed, and later slashed in the face, by Oryu – and he wants more vengeance (the man never learns).

Kakurai telling Oryu that she’s too beautiful to kill, Ebimasa wishing he could add a scar to Oryu’s beautiful face – in an unfortunate mirror to real life, the men unsettled by Oryu’s power constantly refer to her beauty as an expression of their desire and hatred.

Kakurai offers to help Ebisama enact his vengeance plans – but before they can plan any further, an extremely not discreet intruder is both heard and seen outside: Fugushin!

Fugushin is immediately caught, which gives him the opportunity to see Kakurai in person, and, shocked, to exclaim that Kakurai is the street mugger who murered Yano.

Flanked by a red peony plant, Fugushin immediately takes action, running to stab Kakurai – but, despite valiantly fighting, he is vastly outnumbered and brutally stabbed by the Sennari men. As he lays bleeding, repeating his accusation, Katagiri arrives, immediately helping Fugushin up, before being accused of being the murderer by the Sennari men. Katagiri, his worst fears confirmed, shoots a knowing look at Kakurai – who flippantly tells him that he’s no longer bound to him by brotherhood, and asks him to leave.

As they leave, the Sennari declare that they now have the perfect excuse to start a war and eliminate Donan and Oryu in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, Oryu, on her way to the Sennari, stumbles upon Katagiri and Fugushin instead, shocked at Fugushin’s state. Fugushin, barely able to talk, confirms the murderer’s identity, and Katagiri finally apologises.

Back at the Doman, Fugushin lays dying, expressing regret at his actions, which always get in the way of Oryu’s plans. Oryu reassures him and asks him to hold on – but in response, Fugushin quietly asks Oryu for one final wish: will Oryu sing him the Lullaby of Itsuki, in memory of their better days in Kyushu? Oryu, overwhelmed with emotion, accepts, and starts softly singing to Fugushin, conjuring all the cherished memories he shared with protégée Oryu.

Fugushin, tearful but smiling, closes his eyes, never to open them again. The peonies turn black.

As Katagiri looks on from the next room, Oryu, Fujimatsu, and Kimika continue talking to Fugushin. Who will Fujimatsu argue with now? Who was the one who said they would never leave Oryu’s side? Why couldn’t he share the burden of knowing the killer’s identity?

Katagiri apologises once more, blaming himself for causing Fugushin’s death, and announces that he will leave Osaka tomorrow. Oryu gracefully thanks him.

Oryu looks to the distance, planning her next steps, but Fujimatsu is quicker: grabbing a crate of dynamite sticks (!), he promises Fugushin the vengeance he deserves, telling Oryu that he will finish Fugushin’s job of assisting her till the very end. Oryu protests, asking him to consider Kimika – but she cuts Oryu short, stating that she knew what she was getting into marrying Fujimatsu: duty is duty. Fujimatsu reassures them both: he is Fujimatsu the Immortal, and has no intention of dying.

Kakurai, Prepare to Die!

Running time: 1:28:24 to 1:37:36

As Katagiri walks to the Sennari, he is ambushed by a shadowy figure: Ebimasa, whose arm he breaks to force him to reveal that Kakurai sent him for assassination.

At this stage it’s safe to say that Ebimasa is about as good an assassin as he is a cheating gambler – perhaps a whole new line of work was needed here…

Meanwhile, two others are solemnly making their way to the Sennari: Oryu, and Fujimatsu.

As they arrive at the Sennari, Fujimatsu immediately sets the tone by throwing a stick of dynamite into the entrance, to Kakurai and the Sennari men’s shock. As Fujimatsu starts skewering the Sennari men like yakitori, Oryu discreetly goes to the back and finally frees Yoshitaro, thankfully still unharmed.

Letting Yoshitaro run free, she presses on and finally comes face to face with Kakurai, shielding behind his men. “Kakurai, prepare to die!“, announces Oryu before shooting a few of his men for good measure.

Judging from her excellent aim both with a gun and a sword, and from her kill count here, Katagiri definitely needn’t have worried about Oryu killing someone for the first time.

Meanwhile, Fujimatsu, looking like he’s having way too much fun stabbing everyone, clears some rabble from the room next door and rejoins with Oryu. As he dynamites the men into submission, he offers to take on the men protecting Kakurai to allow Oryu to march on him.

The face off starts in the garden, next to… the red peonies.

As they draw their swords, a familiar face shows up one last time: Katatgiri, dragging Ebimasa along (who is promptly executed by an angry Kakurai). Katagiri walks towards a terrified Kakurai, who asks him to back off – to no avail.

Oryu follows suit, immediately jumping on Kakurai but getting her tanto broken off by his katana – and throwing a hairpin in his arm to slow him down as he marches on to her, with murderous eyes – before Katagiri joins the fray again, standing between the two.

Kakurai understands that the end is near, and stabs Katagiri – who stabs him in return.

As Oryu carries a grievly wounded Katagiri outside, Kakurai attempts one last act of treachery, and quietly creeping up on to the two with his sword up. Katagiri hears him, and finally ends his life. “Aniki“… whispers Kakurai, a deep sadness evident in his last breath. Katagiri looks on, and collapses himself.

Oryu runs to him, supporting him as life slowly drains out of his body. Katagiri tells Oryu that he did not want her to have this kill. For her sake, she asks? Katagiri, looking deep into her eyes, tells he no, for his own. Tearful, she holds him, begging him not to die, as he collapses in her arms, falling into the red peonies.

What is the meaning of Katagiri’s parting words to Oryu? Perhaps that he did not want her to kill, as he noted earlier, or perhaps that the vengeance was his, as Kakurai’s kyōdai who failed to stop him before it was too late. But most likely Katagiri could not bear to see the valiant Oryu continue spending her life in a cycle of vengeance and grief, as too many of those around them did, and attempts to spares her the worst of the yakuza life so she can continue anew without this burden. Katagiri’s parting gift to Oryu.

Epilogue

Running time: 1:37:37 to the end

Flanked by the mighty Otaka and Fujimatsu, in a formal ceremony, Yano Ryuko aka Oryu the Red Peony gambler announces to the yakuza world – and to us, the audience – that her journey continues on (and indeed, it will for another seven episodes). Long live Oryu, the Red Peony Gambler. ❤️‍🔥

THE END

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