Crows Zero 2
Directed byTakashi Miike
Screenplay byShogo Muto
Based onCrows
by Hiroshi Takahashi
Produced byMataichiro Yamamoto
Starring
CinematographyNobuyasu Kita
Edited by
  • Shuichi Kakesu
  • Tomoki Nagasaka
Release date
  • April 11, 2009 (2009-04-11) (Japan)
Running time
133 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$29,893,636[1]

Crows Zero 2 (クローズZERO II, Kurōzu Zero 2) is a 2009 Japanese action film directed by Takashi Miike with a screenplay by Shogo Muto. It is the sequel to Crows Zero, where Shun Oguri, Kyōsuke Yabe, Meisa Kuroki and Takayuki Yamada reprise their roles from the first film.[2]

Crows Zero 2 was released in Japan on April 11, 2009.

Plot

Eight months after triumphing over Serizawa Tamao, Takiya Genji 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 quiet desperate and begins challenging Rindaman regularly, but consistently suffer defeat by his hands.

Genji's 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 during a heated confrontation. Genji learns that the agreement between the two schools was established two years prior when Noboru violated a gang law due to a skirmish and used a weapon to fatally wound Housen's former leader Bitō Makio. Suzuran had subsequently sworn not to interfere with Housen's retribution upon Noboru's release from prison. Now that the pact is broken because of Genji's stubbornness, his alliance, mainly Serizawa ask him to be prepared for the upcoming tension that will be created between the two schools.

Genji's protection of Kawanishi provokes Housen's current leader Narumi Taiga to declare war against Suzuran. Genji and his allies engages in several violent conflicts with Housen's "Army of Killers". One such incident lead to destruction of Suzuran by the foolishness of Gota Washio. Washio was previously affiliated with Suzuran but was banned by Genji, which leads to him joining the rival Housen Academy. In an attempt to take revenge from Genji, Washio burnt down the entire Suzuran school. This leads to the GPS being united for one final stand against Housen Academy.

Both the gang leaders decide to meet at the top of Housen Academy for the final fight, where Genji finally defeat Narumi and his Army of Killers. On his last day at school, Genji challenges Rindaman again to a duel, where Genji managed to land a blow on Rindaman, much to everyone's happiness. Rindaman then noted people like him are the reason why Suzuran is interesting. They subsequently resumed their fight, with the outcome remain unknown to the audience.

Cast

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.[1]

Critical response

Niels Matthijs of Twitch Film gave it a positive review and wrote "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."[3] Likewise, Mark Schilling of The Japan Times gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "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 - it’s not just a release for their raging hormones, but a way of being with their friends and telling the world they exist."[4]

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 Shōnen Champion magazine.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kurōzu Zero 2 at BoxOfficeMojo".
  2. ↑ "Takashi Miike Helming Live-Action Crows Prequel". Anime News Network. April 19, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Crows Zero II Review". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  4. ↑ "Crows Zero II Review". The Japan Times. 10 April 2009.
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