In some ways I don’t want to complain about this as it’s a nice change that side characters do get their own stories that are not dependant on the actual main story arch. Another issue is that although there are plenty of fights scenes to keep the story progressing it did have a tendency to drag on at times, with some side character stories slowing the pace when quite honestly you want it to get back to the action. Maybe if I paid more attention I would be able to remember which each group was, but I think that would dull the interest slightly as the story progresses. There are quite a few factions in the school each joining with each other, being at war with each other or just there for a little comic effect. I did have a few problems with the film at times, especially the way it can get quite confusing. If anything it can be compared to Battle Royale in a way, but instead of the island you have the school itself, and no killing of course, though it often comes close to that. This is just a story of dominance and warfare in a segregated part of the world for the kids. This is not a world where it’s a question of morality the “good” kids are not a part of the tale. Many of the fighters in Crows Zero are seniors, meaning they will be moving into the real world of violence quite soon, so they are trying to prove who they are, that they are worthy of places within the criminal world. With Crows Zero it is obvious that the Yakuza reputation and influences play a part in the school factions and it’s obvious that the teenage boys are trying to prove themselves to the older gangs, especially Genji who has family ties and friendships in the more adult world of the Yakuza. As he gains followers and allies the obvious rival to his plans is Serizawa, a hard fisted gang leader who already has his power base set and is ready to take on all rivals as he too looks to take complete control of the School of Crows.Īs a fan of Takashi Miike films I was awake of his films about the Yakuza but have rarely moved into them, other than Ichi the Killer. The story revolves around Genji Takiya as he moves into the school to try taking over. The teachers have apparently given up on trying teaching the kids, or we don’t see them in class at least, all we see is fighting and violence. Suzuran, a school also known as the School of Crows is a building controlled by factions of school kids in the middle of all out gang warfare. To survive Suzuran Senior High School is one thing, but to survive on top is impossible. It’s a tale of boys who are becoming adults and are finding themselves in the world of violence, gangs and the Yakuza. Crows Zero can be taken in two ways really, it’s either a tale about school kids kicking the holy hell out of each other or it’s a story about coming of age.