is a 1945 Japanese action drama film written and directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo. It was filmed in early 1945 in Japan towards the end of World War II. Unlike the original Sugata Sanshiro, the sequel is in part considered a propaganda film. It is believed by some to be the earliest known film sequel whose title is simply the original title followed by a number, predating the likes of French Connection II (1975) by decades, although possibly mistaken as the added kanji (Zoku) is not a numeral but simply means "Continuation" or "Sequel" sort of in the style of Another Thin Man or The Invisible Man Returns. Plot In the 1880s, a martial arts student continues his quest to become a judo master, from that discipline's founder. Eventually, he learns enough to demonstrate his skill in a boxing match between American and Japanese fighters at the end of the movie. The whole movie is actually about the rivalry between karate and judo martial artists, and Sanshiro's struggle to do what is right. On one side there is the morally right thing to do, and on the other the rules in the dojo. Eventually he decides to break all of the rules, leave the dojo, fight the American boxer and, also, the karate masters. He wins both fights and at the end of the movie smiles while washing his face, finally able to sleep and finally be happy. Cast Denjirō Ōkōchi - Shogoro Yano Susumu Fujita - Sanshiro Sugata Ryūnosuke Tsukigata - Gennosuke Higaki Akitake Kōno - Genzaburo Higaki Yukiko Todoroki - Sayo Soji Kiyokawa - Yujiro Toda Masayuki Mori - Yoshima Dan Seiji Miyaguchi - Kohei Tsuzaki Ko Ishida - Daisuburo Hidarimonji Kazu Hikari - Kihei Sekine Kokuten Kōdō - Buddhist Priest Saiduchi Ichiro Sugai - Yoshizo Fubuki Osman Yusuf - American Sailor Roy James - William Lister Critical reviews In his review of the original Sanshiro Sugata for Bright Lights Film Journal, Brian Libby noted that the film is "less propaganda-oriented" than its sequel. In the original film, "fighting is but a vehicle for a larger spiritual quest" whereas the sequel "promotes Japanese judo's superiority to Western boxing", setting a different tone. Christian Blauvelt, writing a review for Slant Magazine, agreed that the film is somewhat tainted by noticeable propaganda. Sanshiro's