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Yojimbo

Yojimbo

Kill one or a hundred... you only hang once

19618.11h 50m

Overview

A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.

Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Written by Ryuzo Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa
Produced by Akira Kurosawa
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Top Cast

Toshirō Mifune

Toshirō Mifune

Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai

Tatsuya Nakadai

Tatsuya Nakadai

Unosuke, gunfighter

Yōko Tsukasa

Yōko Tsukasa

Nui

Isuzu Yamada

Isuzu Yamada

Orin

Daisuke Katō

Daisuke Katō

Inokichi

Seizaburō Kawazu

Seizaburō Kawazu

Seibê - brothel operator

Takashi Shimura

Takashi Shimura

Tokuemon, sake brewer

Hiroshi Tachikawa

Hiroshi Tachikawa

Yoichiro

Yōsuke Natsuki

Yōsuke Natsuki

Kohei's Son

Eijirō Tōno

Eijirō Tōno

Gonji, Tavern Keeper

Themes & Keywords

japansamuraiswordplaygamblingswordbodyguardblack and whitefightingfamilyintrigueroninjidaigekirevolveredo periodfeudal japan19th centurybusiness rivalrymiddlemanasian westerngrandrivalspitting ones enemy's against each other

About Yojimbo

Yojimbo is a drama, thriller film released in 1961 exploring themes of japan, samurai, swordplay, gambling, sword, bodyguard. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, it stars Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yōko Tsukasa. A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.

Movies Similar to Yojimbo

Discover titles like Yojimbo — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Yojimbo

If you enjoyed Yojimbo, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Yojimbo.

Sanjuro
35% Match

Sanjuro(1962)

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Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.

Throne of Blood
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Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's prophecy by murdering his lord and usurping his place. Director Akira Kurosawa's resetting of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in feudal Japan is one of his most acclaimed films.

The Hidden Fortress
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After the Storm
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Shoplifters
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In the outskirts of Tokyo, a poor but close-knit group living on the fringes of society survives through shoplifting and odd jobs. When Osamu and his son take in a neglected young girl, their already fragile existence begins to unravel. As the family grows attached to her, buried secrets surface, forcing them to confront the true meaning of love, belonging, and what makes a family.

Kakegurui: The Movie
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Hyakkaou Private Academy. An institution for the privileged with a very peculiar curriculum. You see, when you're the sons and daughters of the wealthiest of the wealthy, it's not athletic prowess or book smarts that keep you ahead. It's reading your opponent, the art of the deal. What better way to hone those skills than with a rigorous curriculum of gambling? At Hyakkaou Private Academy, the winners live like kings, and the losers are put through the wringer. But when Yumeko Jabami enrols, she's gonna teach these kids what a high roller really looks like!

Bushido
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Bushido(2024)

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Kakunoshin, renowned for his skills with a sword and in the game of go, embodies the samurai code. Falsely accused of a theft, he is forced to become a lowly ronin. Years later, when a case of missing gold pulls him into a new web of intrigue, Kakunoshin uncovers the truth behind his downfall. With the real culprit exposed, the go board flips, and a hellstorm of righteous vengeance follows.

The Last Samurai
15% Match

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

Monster
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Monster(2023)

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After an outburst at school involving her son, a concerned single mother demands answers, triggering a sequence of deepening suspicion and turmoil.

Amores Perros
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A fatalistic car crash in Mexico city sets off a chain of events in the lives of three people: a supermodel, a young man wanting to run off with his sister-in-law, and a homeless man.