Lone Wolf and Cub (1973)
A disgraced samurai and his infant son walk the road to hell through feudal Japan, driven by vengeance and the search for justice.
Lone Wolf and Cub - Series Information
- Original Title: 子連れ狼
- First Air Year: 1973
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Created by: Kazuo Koike
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 78
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 8, 1973 (Germany - 16)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Alternative Titles: The Iron Samurai (CA), Samurai Itto Ogami (IT), O Samurai Fugitivo (BR), Lone Wolf & Cub (US), El Samurai Fugitivo (MX), 子連れ狼 (JP), Der Wolf mit dem Kind (DE)
- Production Companies: Union Motion Picture Co, Ltd., Studio Ship
- Production Countries: Japan
Lone Wolf and Cub - Plot
Ogami Itto is a master swordsman who holds a position of high power in the Tokugawa Shogunate. Highly trusted by the Shogun, he serves as the official decapitator, assisting lords and samurai who have been ordered by the Shogun to commit seppuku. One day, Itto's wife and members of his household are brutally murdered by a clan seeking to avenge their lord's execution, which had been carried out by Itto. In the wake of the attack, two items are left in Itto's home: his unhurt infant son, Daigoro, and a symbol meant to signify Itto's betrayal of the Shogun. Disgraced by the false symbol, Itto is labeled a traitor and forced to forfeit his position. He becomes a ronin, wandering the country with his son, searching for the men who killed his wife, seeking to clear his name and avenge her death.
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Lone Wolf and Cub - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Kazuo Koike
Main Cast
- Kinnosuke Nakamura
- Taketoshi Naitō
- Katzutaka Nishikawa
- Ryūnosuke Kaneda
- Kōji Takahashi
- Sato Takumi
- Kei Satō
- Setsuko Ogawa
- Sally Mae
Writers
- Kazuo Koike
- Goseki Kojima
- Eizaburo Shiba
Lone Wolf and Cub - FAQs
What is Lone Wolf and Cub about?
Lone Wolf and Cub follows Ogami Itto, a master swordsman and former official decapitator to the Shogun, who is framed for treason after his wife is murdered. Cast out as a ronin, he wanders feudal Japan with his infant son Daigoro, hunting the conspirators responsible and fighting to reclaim his honor.
Is Lone Wolf and Cub based on a true story?
The series is not based on a true story. It adapts the acclaimed manga created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, originally serialized in Japan from 1970 to 1976. While rooted in the historical Edo period, the characters and central narrative are entirely fictional.
Who are the main actors in Lone Wolf and Cub?
Kinnosuke Nakamura leads the cast as the stoic ronin Ittô Ogami, with Katzutaka Nishikawa and Sato Takumi sharing the role of his young son Daigoro. Kōji Takahashi and Kei Satō both portray the villainous Retsudo Yagyu, while Ryūnosuke Kaneda appears as Tanomo Abe.
How many seasons does Lone Wolf and Cub have?
The series ran for three seasons on Nippon TV, each comprising 26 episodes, for a total of 78 episodes. It aired from 1973 to 1976, making it one of the most substantial samurai drama productions of its era in Japanese television.
Where can you watch Lone Wolf and Cub?
Lone Wolf and Cub is available to purchase on Amazon Video. For a full overview of current viewing options in your region, JustWatch provides an up-to-date comparison of all available platforms and formats.
Is Lone Wolf and Cub connected to the film series?
Both the TV series and the celebrated film series — including Sword of Vengeance and Baby Cart at the River Styx — draw from the same Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima manga. They are separate adaptations sharing the same source material, characters, and setting, but with different casts and creative approaches.
What are similar shows to Lone Wolf and Cub?
Fans of Lone Wolf and Cub often enjoy BLUE EYE SAMURAI, Dororo, and Rurouni Kenshin for their samurai action and rich period atmosphere. For those drawn to the revenge and assassin themes, Ninja Kamui and Love of Kill also offer compelling, stylized takes on similar territory.
When did Lone Wolf and Cub first air?
Lone Wolf and Cub premiered on April 8, 1973, on Nippon TV in Japan. The series concluded in 1976 after three complete seasons, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence samurai fiction, manga, and action cinema around the world.
More About Lone Wolf and Cub
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