The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 (1998)
A gritty Japanese V-cinema entry following the relentless Osaka moneylender Ginjirō Manda, brought to life by Riki Takeuchi.
The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 難波金融伝 ミナミの帝王 長編版5時間① 運命
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Sadaaki Haginiwa
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 0m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Countries: Japan
Where to Watch The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1
Looking for where to watch The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sadaaki Haginiwa
Main Cast
- Riki Takeuchi
- Shinnosuke Furumoto
- Midori Takei
- Isao Natsuyagi
- Yoko Ishino
- Yoshiaki Umegaki
- Toshio Kurosawa
- Masuo Amada
- Ryota Nakanishi
- Ryoko Imamura
Writers
- Masaya Ishikawa
The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 - FAQs
Who plays the lead role in this film?
Riki Takeuchi leads the cast as Ginjirō Manda, the sharp and uncompromising moneylender at the heart of the story. He's joined by Shinnosuke Furumoto, Midori Takei, Isao Natsuyagi, Yoko Ishino, and several other notable Japanese actors rounding out the ensemble.
Who directed The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1?
Sadaaki Haginiwa directed this film. He was a key creative force behind the long-running Namba Kinyūden: Minami no Teio franchise, which became one of Japan's most beloved and enduring V-cinema series throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
What is The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 about?
The film follows Ginjirō Manda, a tough and street-smart moneylender operating in Osaka's Minami district. Known for his unorthodox methods and iron will, Manda navigates the treacherous world of underground finance, confronting desperate debtors and dangerous rivals in equal measure.
Is The King of Minami based on a manga?
Yes, the series is adapted from the manga Namba Kinyūden: Minami no Teio by Yūji Aoki and Tsunki, which ran in Weekly Manga Goraku. The manga's gritty portrayal of Osaka's loan shark underworld made it a natural fit for the V-cinema format that thrived in Japan during the 1990s.
What language is The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1 in?
The film is entirely in Japanese, reflecting its origins as a Japanese V-cinema production set in the Namba and Minami districts of Osaka. Dialogue often features the distinctive Kansai dialect, adding an authentic regional flavor to the story's urban underworld setting.
How long is The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1?
This installment runs approximately 60 minutes. It is the first part of a longer special presentation from the Minami no Teio franchise, designed to be experienced as a multi-part viewing event totaling around five hours across its complete release.
Who wrote the screenplay for this film?
The screenplay was written by Masaya Ishikawa, who contributed to the Minami no Teio series. His writing helped translate the manga source material's intense financial drama and morally complex characters into the direct-to-video format that defined this long-running Japanese franchise.
Where can I watch The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1?
Streaming availability for this 1998 Japanese V-cinema title is limited outside Japan. Your best bet is to check region-specific platforms or specialty services that carry Japanese cult and V-cinema content. You can also browse JustWatch to compare any available viewing options in your region.
More About The King of Minami: 5 Hour Special Part 1
Explore further details about this film on the following resources.