Each October, the Unsung Horrors podcast does a month of themed movies. This year, they will once again be setting up a fundraiser to benefit Best Friends, which works to save the lives of cats and dogs across America, giving pets second chances and happy homes.
Today’s theme: 1990s
After a meteor crashes into Japan, unleashing a drug called cosmo-amphetamine on the country, which means that most of Tokyo goes all Romero and starts eating human flesh. Only Keiko (Cutey Suzuki) can save those who are left from the punk gangs and Captain Fujioka, who is using this accident to create his own zombie army.
It’s Batoru Garu: Tokyo Crisis Wars!
Directed by Kazuo Komizu (Guzoo: The Thing Forsaken by God: Part I) and written by Daisuke Serizawa, this has a pro wrestling star in the lead. Suzuki was so popular that she had her own video game, Cutie Suzuki no Ringside Angel, and appears in this film and the Go Nagai movie The Ninja Dragon. She was also a gravure model. This refers to how Japanese magazines used to have a front page known as the gravure page on the inside front cover. This page often featured gorgeous women in seductive poses. According to Gravure Kid, “While gravure and gravure idols specifically have found their origin in Japan, the overall concept can be likened to pin-up models or bikini idols overseas. Unlike mainstream pop idols, gravure idols are known for their more innocent and sensual image that emphasizes glamor, beauty, and sensuality without explicit nudity or sexual acts.”
In addition to Suzuki, her enemies Devil Masami, Shinobu Kandori and Eagle Sawai all appear as the human hunters, tracking down survivors for the army. This allows for fight scenes between women who were used to battling each other.
Is it great? Nope. Does it have attractive Japanese warrior women dressed post-apocalyptically and beating one another up? Yes. Therefore, it is better than great.
You can watch this on YouTube.