1
Stefania
Much More than Just Action
This series is the first installment of the franchize. Aside from telling a beautiful story of love, friendship, forgiveness, and sacrifice, it introduces the world of High&Low, and particularly the five gangs that comprise SWORD, a shaky alliance created to limit aggression among the gangs in the area.
Each of these groups has an episode dedicated to it, so I think that you will not have any difficulties memorizing them. If you have already watched High&Low The Worst, the spin-off that focuses on the delinquents of Oya High, you will see both familiar and unfamiliar faces here, but you will figure out what is going on quickly.
Each gang has its own ideals and mission. The White Rascals aim to make the town a safe place for women. Rude Boys have created a haven for the most desolate people, who have nowhere else to go. Oya High? Well... They fight for the sake of fighting. Comprised of the worst, or best – depends on the perspective – students in the country, whose average age is 23, they spend their time punching each other to determine who will rule Oya. After graduation, the strongest and most unhinged are recruited by other gangs.
The story revolves around Sannoh Association, which the S in SWORD stands for, and its founding members, the Hoodlum Squad. Quiet but fierce, wise but scary, their leader Cobra values the well-being of the Squad above everything else and goes to impressive lengths to protect it. His childhood friend and right-hand man, Yamato, distinguishes himself with the kindness of his heart, which at first glance seems so unsuitable for gang life that he is deemed stupid by some of those close to him, but which proves to be a powerful force for good in the course of the story.
The delicate balance of SWORD is upset after Yamato spontaneously protects Chiharu, who has recently transferred to Oya High, from the school's leading delinquents. Not to spoil this twisty story for you any more, I will just say that from that moment on things go south at a rapid pace, the stakes are high, and the action never ceases.
Aside from the thrilling fighting scenes, what makes this series so special, though?
1. "If we keep fighting like this, in the end we'll all perish together."
If you are tired of putting up with unlikeable characters, which are a dime a dozen in modern cinema, and of not being able to tell the good side from the bad side because both are using the same horrible methods, this series is for you. The gangsters of SWORD might be violent, but they have principles and a clear understanding of what is good and what is bad. For instance, the production and distribution of drugs is strictly forbidden. Although problems and misunderstandings are usually solved with fists, the characters do not tolerate the "end justifies means" mindset. They are also loyal and forgiving, and ready to put their pride aside and compromise for the greater good. Two of the story's main messages are that people make mistakes, but they deserve second chances, and that no matter how strong you believe that you are on your own, dismissing and betraying the friends who want to stand by you makes you weak. By making the villains well-dressed and sophisticated, the story also reminds us that the real evil of society are not the poor people who survive as they can.
2. "Wounds from fighting will quickly go away, but bonds will never disappear."
The true treasure of this series are the friendship and bromance. If you have had enough of toxic onscreen couples, this is the right series for you. From Cobra and Yamato's unshakable love for their friend Noboru, to Yamato and Chiharu's bromance that borders on romance – yes, what they have for each other has no heterosexual explanation – to Rude Boys' devotion to Smoky, it will make your heart swell from happiness and restore your faith in people. Outstanding.
Overall, this series is a gem not only in its genre, but also in general. It will keep you entertained and rooting for the Hoodlum Squad and the others for all of its ten episodes. You might have seen that some of the reviewers were not satisfied with the ending. I think that it fits the story, though, and sets the stage for season two. My only complaint is that Noboru's escape from his captivity was not explained.
Each of these groups has an episode dedicated to it, so I think that you will not have any difficulties memorizing them. If you have already watched High&Low The Worst, the spin-off that focuses on the delinquents of Oya High, you will see both familiar and unfamiliar faces here, but you will figure out what is going on quickly.
Each gang has its own ideals and mission. The White Rascals aim to make the town a safe place for women. Rude Boys have created a haven for the most desolate people, who have nowhere else to go. Oya High? Well... They fight for the sake of fighting. Comprised of the worst, or best – depends on the perspective – students in the country, whose average age is 23, they spend their time punching each other to determine who will rule Oya. After graduation, the strongest and most unhinged are recruited by other gangs.
The story revolves around Sannoh Association, which the S in SWORD stands for, and its founding members, the Hoodlum Squad. Quiet but fierce, wise but scary, their leader Cobra values the well-being of the Squad above everything else and goes to impressive lengths to protect it. His childhood friend and right-hand man, Yamato, distinguishes himself with the kindness of his heart, which at first glance seems so unsuitable for gang life that he is deemed stupid by some of those close to him, but which proves to be a powerful force for good in the course of the story.
The delicate balance of SWORD is upset after Yamato spontaneously protects Chiharu, who has recently transferred to Oya High, from the school's leading delinquents. Not to spoil this twisty story for you any more, I will just say that from that moment on things go south at a rapid pace, the stakes are high, and the action never ceases.
Aside from the thrilling fighting scenes, what makes this series so special, though?
1. "If we keep fighting like this, in the end we'll all perish together."
If you are tired of putting up with unlikeable characters, which are a dime a dozen in modern cinema, and of not being able to tell the good side from the bad side because both are using the same horrible methods, this series is for you. The gangsters of SWORD might be violent, but they have principles and a clear understanding of what is good and what is bad. For instance, the production and distribution of drugs is strictly forbidden. Although problems and misunderstandings are usually solved with fists, the characters do not tolerate the "end justifies means" mindset. They are also loyal and forgiving, and ready to put their pride aside and compromise for the greater good. Two of the story's main messages are that people make mistakes, but they deserve second chances, and that no matter how strong you believe that you are on your own, dismissing and betraying the friends who want to stand by you makes you weak. By making the villains well-dressed and sophisticated, the story also reminds us that the real evil of society are not the poor people who survive as they can.
2. "Wounds from fighting will quickly go away, but bonds will never disappear."
The true treasure of this series are the friendship and bromance. If you have had enough of toxic onscreen couples, this is the right series for you. From Cobra and Yamato's unshakable love for their friend Noboru, to Yamato and Chiharu's bromance that borders on romance – yes, what they have for each other has no heterosexual explanation – to Rude Boys' devotion to Smoky, it will make your heart swell from happiness and restore your faith in people. Outstanding.
Overall, this series is a gem not only in its genre, but also in general. It will keep you entertained and rooting for the Hoodlum Squad and the others for all of its ten episodes. You might have seen that some of the reviewers were not satisfied with the ending. I think that it fits the story, though, and sets the stage for season two. My only complaint is that Noboru's escape from his captivity was not explained.
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