High &Low
HiGH&LOW is a Japanese action media franchise produced by LDH under the creative direction of Exile Hiro, starring members of the Exile Tribe in lead roles. Centered on the fictional S.W.O.R.D. district—a territory controlled by five rival street gangs: Sannoh Hoodlum Squad, White Rascals, Oya High School, Rude Boys, and Daruma Ikka—the series depicts intense battles, bonds of brotherhood, and conflicts with the powerful criminal syndicate known as the Kuryu Group, following the defeat of the previous dominant gang Mugen. Launched as the world's first comprehensive entertainment project integrating multiple media formats, it encompasses television dramas, feature films, manga adaptations, an anime series, mobile games, original soundtracks, and live stage performances.[1][2][3][4] The franchise originated with the 2015 television series HiGH&LOW ~The Story of S.W.O.R.D. aired on Nippon Television, which introduced the core narrative of the gangs' fragile peace shattered by the return of the oppressive Mugen organization and the legendary Amamiya Brothers' resistance. This was followed by the first theatrical release, HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE, in 2016, expanding the storyline with high-stakes confrontations and character backstories. Subsequent installments, including sequels like HiGH&LOW THE RED RAIN and crossovers such as HiGH&LOW THE WORST with manga series Crows and Worst by Hiroshi Takahashi, have built a sprawling universe emphasizing themes of loyalty, rivalry, and redemption.[2][1][3] In Japan, HiGH&LOW has garnered substantial commercial success, with the film series alone attracting 6.21 million viewers and generating 8.9 billion yen in cumulative box office revenue as of September 2025.[5] The integration of music—featuring original songs performed by the cast—alongside meticulously choreographed fight scenes and a diverse ensemble of performers from LDH groups like EXILE, GENERATIONS, and The Third Generations from EXILE Tribe, has solidified its status as a multimedia phenomenon appealing to fans of action, drama, and J-pop. Celebrating its 10th anniversary with projects announced in 2025 for the 2026 anniversary year, the franchise continues to expand through streaming platforms like Netflix and new collaborative projects.[6][7][1]Franchise Overview
Premise and Setting
The High & Low franchise centers on a fictional dystopian urban environment modeled after parts of Tokyo, known as the S.W.O.R.D. district—a rundown, lawless area marked by territorial divisions and constant tension among youth gangs. This setting evokes a gritty underworld where abandoned buildings, neon-lit streets, and industrial zones serve as backdrops for high-stakes confrontations, underscoring the precarious balance of power in a society on the fringes.[4] At its core, the premise explores rival street gangs navigating themes of unbreakable brotherhood, fierce loyalty, personal honor, and brutal turf wars in a world where survival depends on alliances and codes of conduct. The narrative emphasizes the raw energy of motorcycle culture, with customized bikes symbolizing freedom and identity, alongside visceral street fights and shadowy underground economies involving illicit trades that fuel the gangs' operations.[8] The S.W.O.R.D. district derives its name from an acronym representing five interconnected territories: Sannoh, White, Oya, Rude, and Daruma, each governed by a distinct gang that maintains autonomy while occasionally cooperating against external threats. The overarching plot arc revolves around escalating conflicts between this loose S.W.O.R.D. alliance and the formidable Kuryu Group, a sprawling criminal cartel intent on dominating the entire region through coercion and expansion.[4]Production History
The High & Low franchise originated as a multimedia entertainment project initiated by LDH (Love + Dream + Happiness), a Japanese entertainment company founded by members of the Exile group, with Exile Hiro (Hiroyuki Igarashi) serving as the primary producer and creative force. Launched in 2015, it was designed to integrate live-action storytelling, music, and performance elements centered around the Exile Tribe, LDH's affiliated artist collective, marking LDH's first major cross-media initiative that combined television drama, film, and original soundtracks from the outset.[4] The initial development focused on an action-drama television series, High & Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D., which aired on Nippon Television from October to December 2015, produced in collaboration with LDH and the broadcaster to leverage the star power of Exile Tribe members cast as gang leaders and fighters. Due to the series' immediate popularity, the project rapidly expanded into theatrical films under LDH Pictures, a subsidiary established in 2016 specifically for film production and distribution, alongside music releases handled through LDH's in-house labels in partnership with Avex. This evolution included a core film trilogy released between 2016 and 2017—High & Low The Movie, High & Low The Red Rain, and High & Low The Movie 2/3: End of Sky/Final Mission.[9] Subsequent milestones involved crossovers with the Crows and Worst manga universe, beginning with the 2019 film High & Low The Worst, which merged the franchises' delinquent gang narratives, followed by the 2022 sequel High & Low The Worst X, both produced by LDH Pictures in association with Shochiku. These expansions highlighted the franchise's adaptability but also presented challenges, such as seamlessly integrating non-professional actors from the Exile Tribe into high-stakes action sequences, requiring specialized training and choreography. Post-2020, production shifted toward digital distribution platforms like Netflix for international accessibility amid COVID-19 disruptions, though the franchise has seen limited global licensing beyond select streaming deals. In September 2025, LDH announced "HiGH&LOW 10th ANNIVERSARY YEAR" for 2026, featuring multimedia projects, collaborations such as pop-up stores and merchandise, to celebrate the franchise's decade-long run.[10][11][7]Factions and Characters
S.W.O.R.D. Alliance
The S.W.O.R.D. Alliance is a coalition of five core street gangs that dominate the SWORD district in the High & Low franchise, formed to counter external threats while navigating their own territorial rivalries. The acronym S.W.O.R.D. derives from the initial letters of its member gangs: Sannoh Rengokai, White Rascals, Oya Koukou, Rude Boys, and Daruma Ikka. These groups, each with distinct cultures and strengths, unite through shared battles that resolve internal tensions and emphasize collective defense.[12][13] Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad)The Sannoh Rengokai, commonly referred to as the Hoodlum Squad, operates with a disciplined, family-like structure under the leadership of Cobra. This gang prioritizes loyalty and protection of their district, serving as a stabilizing force within the alliance. Key members include the Amamiya brothers, Masaki and Hiroto, whose tragic backstory involving loss and redemption underscores the group's emphasis on brotherhood and resilience in the face of adversity. Their role often involves strategic coordination, drawing on the brothers' combat prowess to lead joint operations.[14] White Rascals
Led by Rocky, the White Rascals are a stylish, bike-riding gang that embodies a code of elegance amid the chaos of street life. They focus on swift, coordinated maneuvers, using their motorcycles for rapid territorial patrols and ambushes. The group's defining traits include unwavering loyalty to their leader and a commitment to defending their turf with precision and flair, contributing mobility and tactical finesse to the alliance's efforts.[15] Oya Koukou (Oya High School)
Oya Koukou, or Oya High School, functions as a student-based gang led by Yoshiki Murayama, structured around class hierarchies, from first-years to third-years, cultivating a chaotic, fight-heavy culture that hones raw fighting skills. This environment fosters intense internal competitions that build toughness, making the gang a vital source of youthful vigor for the alliance. Key figures such as Todoroki and Fujio Hanaoka exemplify the school's hierarchy, with Hanaoka's leadership potential and Todoroki's aggressive style adding unpredictable energy to collaborative battles.[16] Rude Boys
The Rude Boys, led by Smoky, draw inspiration from British rock aesthetics, integrating music, rhythm, and rebellion into their identity as a cohesive unit. This gang's emphasis on synchronized movements and cultural defiance brings a performative edge to confrontations, boosting alliance morale through their rhythmic combat style and unyielding spirit. Their role highlights the blend of artistry and aggression, turning fights into expressions of collective resistance.[17] Daruma Ikka
Under Hyuga Norihisa's command, Daruma Ikka consists of tattooed, fierce warriors influenced by Buddhist motifs, renowned for their brute strength and deep-seated vendettas. The gang's intimidating presence and relentless assault tactics provide the alliance with overwhelming physical power, often turning the tide in large-scale clashes. Their warrior ethos reinforces the pact's durability, channeling personal grudges into unified action against common foes.[18] The alliance's formation arose from the fragmentation of a once-dominant gang, leading the five groups to band together against encroaching dangers like the Kuryu Group, with internal rivalries gradually resolved through joint victories that build trust and interdependence. This cooperative dynamic underscores themes of unity amid diversity, as the gangs leverage their unique strengths—discipline from Sannoh, elegance from White Rascals, chaos from Oya, rhythm from Rude Boys, and ferocity from Daruma—to maintain control over the SWORD area.[13]