You are here:

The International Gang of Kobe

Name: The International Gang of Kobe
Director: Noboru Tanaka
Released: 1975
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

1975

Director

Noboru Tanaka

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film gains its strength from its historical backdrop, which inherently introduces racial and cultural conflicts. By focusing on the tension between local Japanese gangs and US occupation forces, the story moves beyond a singular view of post-war society. However, the film seems constrained by the genre conventions of 1970s crime cinema, likely relying on traditional masculine archetypes and straight-centered structures. While the film lacks progress in gender and disability representation, its engagement with post-colonial themes adds a meaningful layer of ethnic and cultural complexity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The International Gang of Kobe have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not provide any clear evidence of LGBTQ+ identities or queer character arcs. In the context of 1970s Japanese crime cinema, such identities were often hidden or implied rather than explicitly shown.

How does The International Gang of Kobe portray gender?

Limited

The story emphasizes masculine conflicts and territorial battles during the US occupation period. Female characters may play supporting roles without challenging traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The International Gang of Kobe?

Good

The narrative breaks away from a homogeneous society by highlighting the tension between local populations and US occupation forces, as well as international gangs. This setup explores racial tensions and a multi-ethnic criminal underworld.

How does The International Gang of Kobe represent religion and culture?

Good

Set in 1947 Kobe, the film critiques Western dominance and foreign influence. The struggle against occupation forces highlights themes of anti-colonialism and resistance to post-war Western intervention.

Does The International Gang of Kobe include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence of physical or neurodivergent disabilities being portrayed within the film's narrative.

Present on Screen

Explores complex racial tensions through the lens of US occupation forces.
Provides a critique of Western dominance and post-war interventionism.
Disrupts social homogeneity by featuring a multi-ethnic criminal underworld.

Limited or Absent

Lacks evidence of diverse gender roles or subversions of masculinity.
Provides no documented representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Shows no explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ identities or queer character arcs.

Official Synopsis

In 1947, in Kobe, Japan, a local street gang fights for their survival when its turf is overrun by United States occupation forces and international gangs.

How are these scores produced? →