Teruo Ishii
Director
Lone Wolf and Cub (1973)
Season 3
Ogami Itto is a master swordsman who holds a position of high power in the Tokugawa Shogunate. Highly trusted by the Shogun, he serves as the official decapitator, assisting lords and samurai who have been ordered by the Shogun to commit seppuku. One day, Itto’s wife and members of his household are brutally murdered by a clan seeking to avenge their lord’s execution, which had been carried out by Itto. In the wake of the attack, two items are left in Itto’s home: his unhurt infant son, Daigoro, and a symbol meant to signify Itto’s betrayal of the Shogun. Disgraced by the false symbol, Itto is labeled a traitor and forced to forfeit his position. He becomes a ronin, wandering the country with his son, searching for the men who killed his wife, seeking to clear his name and avenge her death.
Released April 7, 1973
Episode 45 min
None+
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
Keywords: tmdb.japan, tmdb.assassin, tmdb.samurai, tmdb.revenge, tmdb.child, tmdb.yagyu, imdb.samurai + 6 more, imdb.samurai-action, imdb.based-on-comic, imdb.animal-in-title, imdb.animal-in-series-title, imdb.based-on-manga, imdb.child
Production Companies: Union Motion Picture Co, Ltd., Studio Ship
Network: Nippon TV
S3E1 - The Wolf Extinguishers Seek Immortality
Retsudo has powerful friends, including the Shogun himself. To deal with Itto once and for all, the Shogun places the Guards of the Black Gate under Retsudo’s command.
April 4, 1976, midnight
S3E2 - Wet Nurse Parasol
The magistrate increases the reward for the Lone Wolf’s head when bounty hunters demand a higher price for such a dangerous target.
April 11, 1976, midnight
S3E3 - A Tomorrow That Shall Never Come / No Tomorrow
A failed ambush plays right into Ryuza’s hands. Can Itto survive the bounty hunter’s “genuine hell”? Meanwhile, Torizo cross paths with Itto once again.
April 18, 1976, midnight
S3E4 - Silken Cloud
Itto regularly accepts assassination requests, but rarely does he receive a cancelation. What does the Yagyu have to do with it and what is the extent of their influence?
April 25, 1976, midnight
S3E5 - A Mother's Taste
Osen is determined to escape a Yakuza-run brothel. Will an encounter with the Lone Wolf finally give her the chance she seeks?
May 2, 1976, midnight
S3E6 - Your Life is Mine
Believing that the Daijoji clan is acting under the orders of the Yagyu, Itto attempts to avoid needless bloodshed. But is that a luxury an assassin can afford?
May 9, 1976, midnight
S3E7 - The Five Ninja Flowers / Five Sisters of Death
The Lone Wolf wanders, cutting down any bounty hunter in his path. Now, it is Akane’s turn. If she fails, her sisters must succeed in her place.
May 16, 1976, midnight
S3E8 - Season of Death
An old woman finds a small boy trying to catch fish by the shore. She teaches him how only to discover the boy wanted to feed his sick father, who is known as the Lone Wolf.
May 23, 1976, midnight
S3E9 - The Coarse Man and The Adulteress / Unfortunate Pair
People always have a reason for their actions. Some desire to save others. Others desire to save themselves. As for Itto? There is only the grudge.
May 30, 1976, midnight
S3E10 - Guide Along The Line Between Life and Death / Ominous Path
The latest plan to ensnare the Lone Wolf involves restricting the number of bounty hunters sent after him.
June 6, 1976, midnight
S3E11 - Daigoro and The Flower of Happiness
Legend tells of a flower that would bring happiness to any who picked it. However, can there be any happiness for Miyo?
June 13, 1976, midnight
S3E12 - Buei School of Gunnery / The Hand Canon
Sakai would rather sacrifice his lands than have his men senselessly cut down by the Lone Wolf in someone else’s crusade. It is precisely for that reason he must now die.
June 20, 1976, midnight
S3E13 - The Moon in The Depths of The Heart / The Moon of Desire
Itto’s inevitable journey to Edo is nearing its end, but there are only a few routes left that he can take. His enemies know this and prepare...
June 27, 1976, midnight
S3E14 - Omens Good and Bad
An intentional snub signals that The Shogun’s patience towards Retsudo is wearing thin. With only 10 days to kill Itto, Retsudo hatches a plan with an unlikely ally.
July 4, 1976, midnight
S3E15 - The Monstrous Abe
Oshun and Abe prepare to snare Itto and Daigoro in their trap. They don’t care how far they have to go or whom they have to hurt!
July 11, 1976, midnight
S3E16 - Wildfire
Abe learns the truth and takes matters into his own hands as Retsudo schemes. Meanwhile, Itto runs into a lordless samurai.
July 18, 1976, midnight
S3E17 - Cloaked in a Scent
Cornered and desperate, Abe flees from Retsudo’s wrath. The poisoner’s only hope? Assassinating Itto before his pursuer catches up.
July 25, 1976, midnight
S3E18 - The Father, The Son, and The Grenade / The Roaring Thunder
Itto and Retsudo’s paths will cross at the Haccho river. Will that be where their fates are finally decided?
Aug. 1, 1976, midnight
S3E19 - Light on The River of Blood
The floodgates are opened, and the city of Edo is in danger. In the face of such a catastrophic threat, two mortal enemies are forced to work together.
Aug. 8, 1976, midnight
S3E20 - The Day of The Awaited Duel / The Showdown
Abe watches as Itto and Retsudo resume their duel, hoping the poison he applied to their swords will finish them off. What will the two do when they realize this treachery?
Aug. 15, 1976, midnight
S3E21 - Impending Death
Retsudo is summoned to face the shogun. Meanwhile, the bounty on Itto’s head may have been rescinded, but that doesn’t mean everyone will tolerate his presence.
Aug. 22, 1976, midnight
S3E22 - Fathers and Sons
Itto waits while Retsudo is on trial. Meanwhile, the Grass starts mobilizing...
Aug. 29, 1976, midnight
S3E23 - Battle in The Shadows
No matter what Abe does, Retsudo somehow finds a way to foil his assassination attempts. Abe may have the upper hand for now, but Retsudo is a patient man…
Sept. 5, 1976, midnight
S3E24 - The Guardian
Itto and Daigoro’s paths cross with a man known as Bunshichi. What’s his reason for stealing all that money?
Sept. 12, 1976, midnight
S3E25 - The Waves and The Flutes
The fate of the Yagyu and the Grass are intertwined; One cannot exist without the other. It is for that reason the Grass launches one, final attempt on Itto’s life.
Sept. 19, 1976, midnight
S3E26 - Swordsmanship
Itto has long straddled the line between life and death, but it is not a path one can follow forever. In the end, on which side of the line will Itto finally find himself?
Sept. 26, 1976, midnight
Network: Nippon TV
Episode Runtime: 45 min.
Season Runtime: 45 min.
Released: April 7, 1973
Last Air Date: Sept. 26, 1976, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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