The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation (2003)
The 25th chapter of Japan's gritty moneylender saga pulls back the curtain on Osaka's most predatory nightlife businesses.
The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation - Movie Information
- Original Title: 難波金融伝 ミナミの帝王25 誘惑の華
- Release Year: 2003
- Directed by: Sadaaki Haginiwa
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Alternative Titles: Nanba kin'yū-den minaminoteiō 25 yūwaku no hana (JP)
The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation - Plot
This is the 25th installment of the long-running OV series, which delves into the dark side of society that is often overlooked. This ambitious film sheds light on the ruthless, unknown side of sex-related businesses such as host clubs and brothels, which target people indulging in unbridled desire. Maejima (Bonchi Osamu), an ice shop owner who falls in love with a woman working at a restaurant in Toyota Shinchi, borrows 2 million yen from Ginjiro (Takeuchi) to help her out of debt, but falls into a clever trap set by the greedy host club owner, losing both the shop's land and the building.
The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sadaaki Haginiwa
Main Cast
- Riki Takeuchi
- Naomi Kawashima
- Taro Yamamoto
- Masuo Amada
- Tetsuya Yūki
- Yoko Kamon
- Jun Ueno
Writers
- Itaru Era
The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation - FAQs
What is The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation about?
The film follows Maejima, an ice shop owner who borrows 2 million yen from moneylender Ginjiro to help a woman he loves escape debt, only to fall into a trap set by a greedy host club owner, ultimately losing his shop's land and building. It exposes the predatory side of Osaka's nightlife industry.
Is this part of a larger film series?
Yes. The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation is the 25th installment in the long-running Nanba Kin'yu-den: Minami no Teiou OV series. The franchise follows moneylender Ginjiro Tezuka navigating the shadowy financial underworld of Osaka's Minami district across dozens of entries.
Who are the main actors in this film?
The principal cast includes Riki Takeuchi, Naomi Kawashima, Taro Yamamoto, Masuo Amada, Tetsuya Yūki, Yoko Kamon, and Jun Ueno. Riki Takeuchi reprises his iconic role as the sharp and uncompromising moneylender Ginjiro Tezuka, the central figure of the entire series.
Who directed The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation?
The film was directed by Sadaaki Haginiwa, who helmed multiple entries in the Minami no Teiou franchise. The screenplay was written by Itaru Era, a regular contributor to the series known for crafting stories that highlight financial exploitation and social vulnerability in urban Japan.
What themes does this installment explore?
The film shines a harsh light on the exploitative nature of host clubs, brothels, and other sex-related businesses that prey on human desire and financial desperation. It examines how ordinary people become ensnared in debt traps orchestrated by unscrupulous operators within Osaka's underground economy.
What language is The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation in?
The film is entirely in Japanese. It was produced in Japan as part of a direct-to-video series aimed at Japanese audiences, and the dialogue reflects the distinctive Osaka dialect and street vernacular associated with the Minami district's business and nightlife culture.
How long is The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation?
The film runs for 87 minutes, a runtime consistent with other entries in the Minami no Teiou OV series. This compact length keeps the narrative focused and fast-paced, delivering its social commentary and crime drama without overstaying its welcome.
When was The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation released?
The King of Minami: The Flower of Temptation was released in 2003 as a direct-to-video (OV) production in Japan. It is the 25th entry in the Nanba Kin'yu-den: Minami no Teiou series, which began in the early 1990s and accumulated a large and dedicated domestic fanbase over many years.
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