Based on a successful manga of the same name by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, the Lone Wolf and Cub movies feature Itto Ogami, the shogun's skilled executioner that falls from grace when the villainous Yagyu clan plots a conspiracy against him. His wife is murdered, and he ends up becoming a ronin, offering his services as a mercenary known as the Lone Wolf whilst he wanders through Japanese villages with his son, little Daigoro. The first movie, Sword of Vengeance, lays down the groundwork for the entire series.

Six movies were made between 1972 and 1974. It is interesting to notice the little boy's character: it is essentially through him and his growth throughout the films, that the passage of time in the narrative is marked.

In addition to explaining various concepts regarding clan rules during the Shogunate, we are also amazed by the characterization of the time (Edo Era, post Sengoku period), great soundtrack, Itto Ogami's relationship with Daigoro and his incredible (and pretty gory) fights against a myriad of enemies.

Take a look at this scene where Ogami performs his Suio-Ryu technique: