Empire of Kids (1981) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language

1981 · 115 mins · Japanese

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Directed by

Kazuyuki Izutsu

Starring

Jun Kunimura, Ren Osugi, Tokuko Watanabe, Takeshi Masu, Keisuke, Takashi Yamamoto

After reform school, Ryu returns to Osaka’s Minami district with new friend Ko. He reunites with Chabo and Ken and gets drawn into turf wars among rival gangs—the yakuza‑backed Hokushin Alliance, the Hope Association, Zainichi Korean groups and other minor factions. The film blends fast‑paced violence, revenge, betrayal, discrimination and dark humor.