Kids Return (1996)

In the whirlwind of youth, school chums Shinji and Masaru, who once ruled the schoolyard with their pranks and mischief, find themselves drawn into the tumultuous tide of the adult world. As they navigate the labyrinth of life beyond the school gates, they choose diverging paths; Shinji steps into the bruising arena of small-time boxing, while Masaru is lured into the shadowy underworld of a local Yakuza gang. As the years unfurl, they both carve their own niches, their early days of carefree rebellion now a distant echo. However, their unbridled spirits of yesteryears are not easily quelled. The pair are forced to confront their reckless past as their undisciplined nature emerges from the shadows, threatening their hard-earned positions in the world. "Kids Return" is a compelling odyssey into the heart of adolescence, a poignant tale of two friends and the divergent paths they tread. As they grapple with the consequences of their youthful indiscretions, they discover that the journey into adulthood is as unpredictable as their schoolyard antics once were. This nostalgic exploration of friendship, choices, and the inexorable passage of time is sure to captivate viewers, drawing them into the world of Shinji and Masaru's past and present.

Kids Return is a crime movie featuring Ken Kaneko and directed by Takeshi Kitano.

Kids Return is currently streaming on Mubi.