"Girl Bosses of 1970s Japan" is a collection of cult films that celebrate strong female leads and their adventures. Set against the backdrop of rival girl gangs and the Japanese underworld, these films showcase female empowerment and unconventional heroes. With action-packed sequences, including martial arts battles and car chases, the stories explore themes of loyalty, friendship, and the fight for territory. Despite their controversial themes, these films gained recognition for their bold portrayal of women, influencing fashion, anime, and manga. The enduring fan base and impact on martial arts culture solidify these films' place as cornerstone entries in the genre.
In the 1970s, the Japanese youth emancipation also found its way into the yakuza (crime) societies. A Girl Boss may have a choice between bikes, and between boyfriends. But she has to defend her choices the hard way, as her triumph and power over the girls' gang is questioned by her female rivals, and the all powerful Yakuza Boss. She inspires loyalty to her girls, and to men to the extent of many of them literally giving their lives for her - in a world of knife and gun fighting, bike and car chasing, and violent death.
When two Girl Bosses fight each other over territory, their enmity is difficult to solve - they are equals in looks, strength, determination, and power of their respective girl gangs. So, the way is open to a mischievous Yakuza Boss who invites them for a peaceful way to decide their feud: a sexual challenge for him to decide who is the better Girl Boss. Trapped, both are subject to the man's lust and sadistic assaults. They escape by joining forces against the yakuza gang, though it costs one of the young women her life - when she was friends already with her former enemy.
Sachiko is the leader of a girl gang from Shinjuku who wind up in Kyoto and make a bid to take over the local girl gangs there.
The Kanto Gypsies, a tough girl gang, hide out from the law in the middle of a disputed gang territory, where they end up getting kidnapped by sinister underworld thugs. After breaking free, the girls set their sights on one thing: revenge. Miki Sugimoto stars as girl boss Komasa, the ruthless and sadistic leader of the Kanto Gypsies who possesses more than enough brains to match her killer looks.
Girl Boss Ruriko and her cellmates escape from a greedy corrupt reform school that's more interested in cheating the government out of money than reformation. Each having their own reasons for escaping, they go their separate ways. With the help of a young mechanic, who's also on the lam, Ruriko tries to realize her dream of leaving the island of Japan behind. But the authorities are always one step behind her...
Keiko Aizawa a vengeance-crazed vixen sets out on a journey to avenge the death of her older sister.
Released from reform school, the Girl Boss and her girl gang enter into conflict with another girl gang who are allied to the powerful Yakuza Boss.
