Mr. Miyagi didnt know Karate at all.
Lee in season 6.
In contrast, Miyagi-Do descends from Okinawa within the world of theKarate Kid.
And Okinawan Karate is a distinct martial art with a noble tradition that goes back centuries.
Strangely, despite Karates renown, there arent too many movies that are strictly about Karate.
Most martial arts movies are based in the Chinese style of Kung Fu.
And while there are plenty of Japanese martial arts movies, those are mostly Samurai and Ninja films.
Only a small fraction of martial arts cinema spotlights Karate specifically.
The Street Fighterwas a significant steppingstone for martial arts cinema immigrating West.
Chiba plays Takuma Tsurugi (changed to Terry Sugary in some dubbed versions).
Tsurugi is a reprehensible antihero who assaults most of the women characters by forcefully smooching them until they submit.
Chibas Karate is weirdly overacted in some flailing attempt to mimic Bruce that doesnt work at all anymore.
By todays standards, the choreography is crude and clunky.
But its the violence that stands out.
Its gratuitously sanguineous especially for the 70s, with bright red paint-like blood spilling in buckets.
Theres a wicked dagger to the eye which when plucked, gushes way too prolifically.
Theres also the first use of X-Ray vision for a skull crushing.
Sanada is a black belt in Kyokushin Karate and a protege of Chiba.
Another Chiba protege and Karateka, Etsuko Shihomi, plays the blind master.
Both Sanadas and Shihomis fight scenes are good.
The other standout actor is Gloria Hendry, a student of Shorinryu Karate and many other martial arts.
Kelly cant keep his shirt on, but with his chiseled physique, can you blame him?
He moves well, and both he and Hendry exhibit solid Karate foundations.
They each manage some impressive long fight takes.
The film wouldve been so much better if it was written as a prequel toEnter the Dragon.
Kellys Jones is essentially the same cat as Williams, right down his hip 70s attire.
Kelly reprised Jones forHot Potato(1976).
Chiba really shows his Kyokushin Karate mastery here.
Oyama is portrayed as another reprehensible character with a psychotic quest to be the best Karate man in Japan.
He rapes an innocent woman, Chiako (Yumi Takigawa), who becomes his love interest later.
And not to spoil it, but Oyama does kill his first bull.
Karate Bullfighteris the first installment of Chibas Oyama Trilogy, all based on that manga.
His dueling quest and unrequited lover echo themes from Toshiro Mifunes Samurai trilogy (1954-1956) about Miyamoto Musashi.
And again, not to spoil it, Oyama fights a bear.
Its a dude in a bear suit which totally fails to be convincing.
Its like a prequel to Chibas Oyama Trilogy.
Plus, the rest of the cast carries the action when needed.
Its beautifully shot, and the tragic story has a romance angle that works well.
And in the outro scene, Oyama faces a bull.
Karate Girl (2011)
Karate Girlis the second girl film starring Rina Takeda.
Her first wasHigh Kick Girl!
(2009) and later in 2011, she starred inNinja Girl.
She was bent on revenge.
Naka also stars inHigh Kick Girl!
Karate Girlis a wholesome film, not bloody or gratuitous.
Its ironic because Takedas kata is where she really shines.
She has beautiful traditional form, powerful and precise.
The MacGuffin is a solid twist and takes the film in a deeply meaningful direction.
Kuro-obi (2007)
Weve saved the best for last.
Beyond the exemplary fight scenes,Kuro-obihas a lot of soul.
It ponders the eternal martial question of fighting for peace while training to kill.
The final season of Cobra Kai, Season 6 Part 3, is now available on Netflix.
