Japanese Karate Sensei Reacts To "The Perfect Weapon Part 2"! 

I would also like to see reviews of "Showdown in Little Tokyo" as well as "Barry Gordy's The Last Dragon". Two good movies from the 80's and 90's

James Hong should really have a lifetime achievement Oscar. He is literally in everything. He's still working at 93 years young.🙏🏼

That punch in the bar you said was too fast was actually three. Kenpo uses a lot of circles and figure-8 motions. it was a right "slap" to the face, a left knife hand to the other side, then a right back-fist, all in a tight circle. The idea behind it was to hit as many places as possible, with low power to create an opening for a powerful finishing move. Kenpo does spin a lot, but kicks are rarely above waist high. We had a seminar with the actor from this movie where he said kicking someone in the head is like headbutting their foot. If you want to kick someone in the head, kick them in the groin or stomach, to bring the head down to the right height. The main boss here is James Hong, a Chinese actor with hundreds of film credits starting in the 60's. He was in Chinatown and Wayne's World 2. He was a staple of 70's and 80's crime shows. If you needed a villain/wise old man, you cast him. The big guy is Professor Toru Tanaka. He's been the heavy in movies from the 70's on, and has been beaten up by everyone from Chuck Norris to the Three Ninjas. For a while, he was a professional wrestler. He wasn't in a lot of films, but he was the same character in every film he was in. Not long before this movie came out, there was a Michael Douglas movie called Yakuza. it put the word into American minds, so they probably used it here because it was well known. To those of us with a little more knowledge on the subject, Yakuza are strictly Japanese organized crime. Tongs are Chinese. I don't think I've ever heard the name for one in Korean. Another thing you'll see in American action movies is the trend in weapons. This one actually didn't follow it, but it's surprising how much the rest did. Starting in the early 80's if there was a knife, it was a butterfly knife (Balisong). This lasted about 10 years. In the 90's, Desert Eagle handguns were everywhere. Starting in the mid-2000's EVERY character who could fight but wasn't played by an actual martial artist studied Krav Magha (the Israeli commando training). If you haven't already done it, Rapid Fire with Brandon Lee would be a great addition to your channel. it stars Bruce Lee's son is his only true martial arts film, and the final villain uses a style not often seen in US movies. it also has some great action sequences. The apartment fight and the one with AL Leong are amazing for different reasons.

Hello 👋🏻 I am a shotokan practitioner myself, and I got my 1 Dan black belt TODAY! Your videos have been a great help. Thank you. 🥋

The main cop, young guy with blonde hair, was played by John Dye. John played Virgil (the Buddhist fighter) in "Best Of The Best."

Yusuke, could you do "Barry Gordy's" The Last Dragon?? A WONDERFUL martial arts film, and one of my all-time favorites! I would love to hear your thoughts!

It would be interesting to see your review of the "Fighter in the wind"

Jeff speakman holds a 9th dan in American Kenpo and 9th dan in Tenshi Goju karate

Korean Oyabun Mafia Yakuza. Must be from a mixed marriage.

James Hong the "head boss" was my friend Harry's godfather. Unfortunately Harry just recently passed away by covid. He was an incredible martial artist.

In the '90's the Yakuza started to get popular. For a time you'd see it in nearly every movie that involved Asian organized crime. It seems like Hollywood used it as kind of an umbrella term. To be fair I also saw a lot of "Triad" working its way into action films too, but mostly when specifically dealing with the Chinese. The first time I heard the term Yakuza was in the movie "Showdown in Little Tokyo" a movie starring Dolph Lungren and Brandon Lee. An AWESOME film, I would LOVE to see Yusuke react to!

Perfect Weapon is one of my favorites with Jeff Speakman. If you can, check out Rapid Fire with Brandon Lee???? Awesome fighting!

Can you react to the 3 Ninjas Kick Back movie?

For those who don't know that actor who played Adam in this movie played Virgil in Best of the Best. His name was John Dye and he passed away in 2011 at the age of 47

This dude is always the boss. He's the boss is so many movies. Everytime they need a yakuza or triad or korean boss, basically far Eastern mafia boss, it's him!

I would definitely recommend the Street Fighter series with Sonny Chiba and a movie called Ricki-Oh: The Story of Ricky

How bout no retreat no surrender. I’d love to see a reaction to ninja assassin s There’s no ring fighting but… sho kusugi ( hope I didn’t butcher his name) his ninja movies were out during some of the best late martial arts movies. I was blown away at seeing him many years later in the epic ninja assassin. Although I’m sure u wld have seen this by now.. hope not though.

Would you like to review the movie „Black Belt“ (with Tatsuya Naka Sensei acting in it)? That would be wonderful. And thanks so much for your great work. I have no clue about Karate. I have started my Judo journey 3 years ago at the age of 39. But I am really adoring the art of Karate and the Japanese culture.

Fighter in the Wind next please. Kyokushin Karate at it's best.

Pray for Death and Revenge of the Ninja 2. Both starring Sho Kosugi

Yusuke can you react to Kuk sool won. Or collab with Shogo

Great video, I remember when that film first came out, I think it was the first film where the hero used Ed Parkers Kempo.

You gotta watch Sidekicks or the Martial Arts kid

How About Lethal Weapon 4? Jet Li was awesome in that movie

waiting for this one! you should review no retreat no surrender, the last dragon, and american ninja!

Embarrassed i actually saw movie in theater. Movie production was obviously trying to make a Jean Van Claude clone.

That big guy was in three ninjas lol

He dedicated his life to teaching, instead of the movies. There's. Many videos on RU-vid of him doing this.

Kenpo 5.0 also has judo and brazilian jujitsu integrated into its style, its not for show, not for tournaments its for defending yourself

Do you can to do a reaction to Jackie Chan?

"Professor" Toru Tanaka. Pro-Wrestler, American football player, legitimate boxer, judoka, etc. Not someone to mess with.

Haven't seen this in a long time

That scene with the guy that was going to punch Jeff speakman in back of the head that is Professor Tanaka. Professor Tanaka was a wrestler, judo, and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu practitioner. He was Sub Zero Gladiator in the movie called The Running Man.

Window tint laws vary from state to state here. I am in Florida. Here in Florida, front Side windows must allow more than 28% of light in. Back windows must allow more than 15% of light in. Basically, dark in back lighter in front. I just had my windows tinted in my new Nissan.

Yakuza is VERY Japanese even for Americans. Movie execs used to think people wouldn't know the difference. Too much cocaine maybe? Ninja in chinese movies fought using kungfu in the 80s, so this type of inaccuracy used to be more common.

Jeff Speakman was in is quite accomplished. Movie fighting is always unrealistic.

The big guy walking like a tree trunk, is Professor. Another few martial arts movie to check are Rapid fire (1992), Lionheart (1990), Hard To Kill (1990), Above The Law (1988), IP Man series (2008, 2010, 2015, 2019), also the Ong-Bak series (2003, 2008, 2010).

Not sure what the mobster Korean's are called but I have heard them being called the "Jo-Pok" I know for other Asians in films is "The Syndicate" for Chinese and "Yakuza" for Japanese. And the rest are "The Mafia" for Italians and Latinos is "The Cartels".

Your skills are VERY impressive in the opening clip. 😮 🥋 ***bow***

Chuck Norris needs to be on here. I recommend The Octagon and Lone Wolf McQuade. Classics, especially Lone Wolf McQuade.

I've seen people denigrate American Kenpo by calling it "Hawaiian Slap Party". Ouch.

I left the comment on another video, but I think it would be fun if you were to watch and review the films “Force Four” aka “ Black Force” (1975) and “Devil’s Express” aka “Gang Wars” (1975). Both movies are on RU-vid. Yes, they’re TERRIBLE movies, but the martial artists all have a mostly Goju Ryu background. These films are a time stamp in history to show how popular karate was in America (particularly on the East Coast/NYC).

Tong is Chinese Mafia, Yakuza is Japan, Jopok is Korean. As someone below posted, Triad is sometimes used. But Hollywood, especially way back, didn't spend too much time in American films, telling anyone the difference. So they just became interchangeable. I don't think nowadays they'd get away with it.

That’s one of my favorite movies growing up and love it still🍿 👏🏼I hope you enjoy the movie….

I am James F JR... I am Back for Part 2. I failed to mention James Hong... He portrayed Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China, he was in Kung Fu the Series with David Carradine . He was in so many movies he should run Hollywood. You will be surprised How long this man has been around. Portraying Villians and asian Mob Bosses. What do I think of Speakman's Performance. I am Impressed. Speaking of Best of the Best...Philip and Simon Rhee. You cannot forget these Men.

Awesome reviews of the grat martial arts classic. Lionheart and Kickboxer with Van Damme are really cool , Ong Bak and Fist of Legend and of course the GOAT Bruce Lee , Way of the Dragon when he fights Karate Champion Chuck Norris.

09:38 Hmm well, this movie was 1991. My first hearing the term Yakuza was from the 1989 movie 'Black Rain' with Michael Douglas, not so much a martial arts film but crime drama set in Japan. You should check it out.

I grew up with this movie. The Perfect Weapon. Still got my copy on VHS which my friends and I watched a million times. Jeff Speakman should have been a martial arts star back in the day.

Nagano Sensei what about breakdown of martial arts such as Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu, Kung Fu San Soo, Bajiquan, Kajukenbo and etc. More power and stay safe🙏😊🥋

Please watch Jean-Claude Van Damme’s “The Quest.” It’s his love letter to martial arts, kickboxing and Muay Thai get some special emphasis. Think blood sport just, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. Not as influential, but objectively a much better film.

The big Asian henchman is Charles J Kalani Jr. also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, born in Hawaii. He ran a Judo and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu academy in the '60s in California. He performed as a professional wrestler, Kalani played the stereotypical Japanese villain in the matches. I saw him many times at Madison Square Garden in the late 60s and early 70s. Kalani's most famous tag team partner was Harry Fujiwara (better known as Mr. Fuji), whom he knew from high school in Hawaii. Yes we know professional wrestling is fake but, it's definitely sports entertainment, I loved it as a kid and I loved to hate professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji!

The kid is Dante Basco, a great Filipino American actor. He was in movies with Robin Williams and Pam Grier. He was in a terrific movie called "The Debut". Not a martial arts movie but you should watch it.

If you are going back to the oldies. Have you watched the classic ones from Chuck Norris? Good Guys Wear Black and the Octagon? Those were big back in the day.

I am going to suggests checking out Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0 videos on RU-vid

Did you know, James Hong also played as the sorcerer David Lo Pan in Big trouble in Little China?

Dante Basco the kid is Filipino. James Wong aka Yung is Chinese. Mako aka Kim was Japanese. Charles J Kalani aka Tanaka was Hawaiian. Not that many Koreans in this film perhaps their characters? Also Yakuza were always mentioned or used as gangsters in American action films during the 80s-90s a long with Triad & KGB Irish American Mobs & Italian Mafia.

Thanks for doing Part 2 so soon. As far as yakuza, I've only ever heard it used to refer to the Japanese Mafia in the US but maybe some people do use it as a general term for any Asian crime organization. Geez, you have pointed out so many mistakes in regards to martial arts and Asian cultures in theses movies it's easy to see why so many people who grew up with these were so misinformed. It's like they just took the Japanese parts they thought were cool and applied them to the Koreans.

Ok.. Martial arts movies from the 90s to review...well rapid fire,only the strong, showdown in little Tokyo, american samurai and drive would be good ones..although dacascos and brandon lee practiced more hybrid chinese influenced martial arts I just love the channel and the films ..so why not?? Hahaha

A Chinese playing a Korean using Americanized Japanese terminology. We have come full circle. 🤣😂

Korean Mafia in NYC are referred to as Japok, Chinese as Traiad or by gang name( white dragons). Yakuza is definitely Japanese mafia. I believe there was a Japanese element of organized crime in Korea town( in the movies plot). It’s just like Sicilian Mafia may operate in other parts of Italy.

At the time this movie was made American audiences were just learning about Yakuza. And while a few might know the difference between Korean, Chinese, Japanese. So we'd muddle Yakuza, Ninjas, Karate, Kung Fu, Samurai as all one thing. We had very few Asian roles and even fewer Asian actors, so every Asian actor was in every martial arts movie we made. This was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I never noticed it was filmed in a Korea town. The script was probably written about Japanese Yakuza, but the studio had to film in Korea town so some elements of the script were changed, and American audiences at the time would not notice.

Over here, Yakuza is an umbrella term for Japanese mafia operating in the US. It is popularly believed that most Japanese organized gangs are loosely affiliated. The term Triad is used similarly for Chinese mafia. A lesser-known term, Jopak refers to the Korean mafia, while Kangpae refers to the less-organized Korean gangs.

I don't remember as much as I should from my younger years, but what I do remember is: American Kenpo is loosely based off of Kosho-ryu Kenpo. Kenpo emphasizes economy of movement and speed. It primarily teaches a no-block principle which teaches that to avoid being struck by a punch or kick, you should move your body out of harm's way. There are some minor blocking techniques, but they are only used as a means position for a move or strike.

You're not wrong about the belt. I'm sure it was a cinema thing, cuz it looks cool. I used to get yelled at about my belt not being centered in my American Kenpo school. I also liked it just off center. It just looks cooler. But off center is not a thing. Just for guys that thought it looked cool. Great video. It's been years and finally someone is impressed that he punched the kick!

Jeff Speakmans Kenpo teacher was Ed Parker who passed away.Bruce Lee use to do demoes at Ed Parkers karate tournaments.Ed also taught Elvis.You can watch Jeff teach,demo and watch his movies on RU-vid.

Karate movies from the 80s and 90s didn’t really care about cultural accuracy. Also according to movies at that time anyone who knew Karate was basically a ninja. So that’s why there is a lot of bull crap in these movies. With that being said, Jeff Speakman is a legit American Kenpo black belt which is why his technique is solid

the actor that played as the brother Adam also played as Virgil in Best of the Best... he unfortunately committed suicide

Didn't that big guy really kill someone and is in prison? "Really, a shoe, who throws a shoe?"

In American Kenpo we wear our knots on the side in class unless you are the ranking person. When teaching class as the ranking instructor if MY instructor walks in, I move my knot to the side. Also girls wear theirs on one side and boys on the other. The block set at the beginning is “star block” it’s just the first of many patterns used to teach blocks. We’re not concerned with the hike-te creating opposing force to create power. If you would like to know our thoughts on power look up “21 basic concepts and principles of Kenpo” I enjoy your channel, I’ll definitely subscribe! Keep it up! Or Ossu as it were 👍

Can you check Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist, aside from the fantasy part, the movie seems deeply rooted in Japanese and karate philosophy. Basically half the movie is spoke in Japanese. I would love to see your overall take on it, both from a martial and a cultural standpoint.

Blood and Bone starring Michael Jai White would be another amazing film to check out Yusuke!

Western culture generally uses either Yakuza or Triad for any asian criminal organization. Most don't know any better now and certainly didn't back then.

That is because 80s and 90s had real martial artists with legit blackbelts doing there fights, no need for camera angles, fight doubles, fast cuts and CGi.

I know it is not karate, but I would like to see you review The Protector. Tony Jaa. Especially the breaking bones fight.

🙏Can you please review "The Quest" with Van Damme. It has multiple styles performed in it👍

Hello Yusuke , you don’t have to push the back of the head in order to perform a choke, actually is better if you don’t . Keep up the good work

I think back in the days they made these movies they mixed and matched a lot of Asian terms mistakingly because they sounded cool and were common enough to be recognized, but not really know the difference, that's why a lot of the Korean and Japanese stuff is getting used interchangeably. Back then it was kind of a "good enough" mentality as opposed to today when information is easier to come by, that's why these days many of these details are researched more when putting a movie together. Also in America at least "Karate" is used as a cover all term for many martial arts, to include styles like traditional Karate, Kenpo, Tang Soo Do etc. are all advertised as Karate

If i can make a request.... The Man From Nowhere has some great fighting scenes as well as a great knife scene at the end. Or Donnie Yen's Flashpoint... Some great scenes as well, hope you react to them.

Most of the Asian actor were Chinese and Japanese.I believe the young kid is Filipino. The big guy at the club that he does that fast tech to the neck is Native American. Now a days I am sure if this movie would have been done they would have consulted Korean speakers.

The way he enters the building is Ninjitsu. The way he uses the fire extinguisher as a "smoke bomb" is Ninjitsu. I've played Tenchu: Stealth Assassins.

Please look up Brandon Lee's " Rapid Fire." His best martial arts movie.

7:56 the great Jeff Imada-san!!! Nagano-sama, Itsumo douga arigatou gozaimasu.

Old ATM machines used to work via vacuum or pneumatic tube. There was usually also an envelope where you put your money in. That went into the canister that then went into the tube. It went to a cashier that was at that window you see to the left, who gave you a receipt back. Man, ATM's used to be really complicated. No wonder people would normally choose to just go inside.

yakuza was just the hot word back then lol. wasnt till 90s/00's that triads and khangpae were used

most 🇺🇸knows Yakuza, 🚫🇰🇷Mafia!

You should watch "Surf Ninja's".

The only words or terms I’ve heard for Asian mafia or mob is Japanese jakusa and Chinese triad, I don’t know the term for Korean mafia, I’m not even sure I spelled those two right

9:50 I think what they were implying is that an American branch of the Japanese Yakuza was giving him protection.

American Kenpo is famous for integrating other styles into the system. Ed Parker was a big fan of using the knife and sticks in upper belt katas. Different schools have different katas and it depends on the lineage of the school you are from.

Ah, the 90's. When an Asian actor had to play every other Asian race. I'm glad it's getting better but still a long way to go for Asian representation.

Yes Jeff Speakman Punch is that fast. He holds a punch record for pouches thrown with different styles

Jeff speakman is a Master in kenpo very famous in this martial art and he made few movies and very active and giving siminars and he hold the 10th degrees of black belt which is the highest

Have you seen the Kung fu series with David Carradine there are so many good movies you could do this with 👍👍👍

Love seeing you watch these old movies from my childhood. If you ever watch a Steven Seagal movie, Above The Law is a good one. There’s a traditional Aikido scene at the beginning if I remember correctly.

This video was 15 minutes long and part one was 25 minutes long

Yusuke can you please 🙏🏾 review "The Last Dragon", "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story", and "Fist of the North Star" movies next . Absolutely awesome movies!!! On another note, I know your focused primarily on the cultural aspects, which I greatly appreciate. But I personally would like for you to have fun, let loose, enjoy and critique the characters as well as the storylines a bit more. Much like you did in the "Cobra Kai" series. 😊 Thanks.

For a suggestion you should check out the classic Chuck Norris movie The Octagon.

Movie fire extinguishers are always empty….lol

This thirteen year old karate guy should comment on “A Fistful of Yen” One of the best martial arts casts ever

Normally Chinatown, koreatown, and the japanese section tend to be very close and tend to have issues with their gangs. So it isnt such a surprise koreans would talk about other asian gangs