Lone Wolf and Cub - Watch Order: Shogun Assassin Order

1972 - 19805 Films7h 7m4.1 Average

Shogun Assassin (1980) is a cult-classic English-language adaptation that combines and re-edits the first two films of the original series, offering a streamlined and action-packed introduction for Western audiences.

This watch order begins with Shogun Assassin, then continues with the remaining original films (3–6) in release order. It's recommended for viewers curious about the film's unique legacy in the West, though only Shogun Assassin itself differs in tone and style from the original Japanese films.

1
Shogun Assassin poster

Shogun Assassin

19801h 25m4
Director: Robert Houston
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ōki, Shin Kishida

A Shogun who grew paranoid as he became senile sent his ninjas to kill his samurai. They failed but did kill the samurai's wife. The samurai swore to avenge the death of his wife and roams the countryside with his toddler son in search of vengeance.

ActionAdventure
2
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades poster

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades

19721h 29m4.1
Director: Kenji Misumi
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Gō Katō, Yūko Hamada, Isao Yamagata, Michitarō Mizushima

In the third film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, Ogami Itto volunteers to be tortured by Yakuza to save a prostitute and is hired by their leader to kill an evil chamberlain.

DramaActionAdventure
3
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril poster

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

19721h 21m4.3
Director: Buichi Saitō
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Yoichi Hayashi, Michi Azuma, Akihiro Tomikawa, Asao Koike

In the fourth film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, Ogami Itto is hired to kill a tattooed female assassin and battles Retsudo, head of the Yagyu clan, and his son Gunbei.

ActionAdventureDramaThriller
4
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons poster

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons

19731h 29m4.2
Director: Kenji Misumi
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Michiyo Yasuda, Akihiro Tomikawa, Shingo Yamashiro, Tomomi Satō

In the fifth film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, Ogami Itto is challenged by five warriors, each has one fifth of Ogami's assassin fee and one fifth of the information he needs to complete his assassination.

ActionCrimeDramaThrillerAdventure
5
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell poster

Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell

19741h 23m4.1
Director: Yoshiyuki Kuroda
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Junko Hitomi, Gorō Mutsumi, Daigo Kusano

In the sixth and final film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, the final conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan is carried out.

ActionAdventureDramaFantasyHistory