Film / Kaiji: Final Game

"I'll fight until the very end."

"We can't just stop the deposit blockade and be done with it. We're gonna expose everyone who tried to get away while they're ahead."

— Kaiji Itō

Kaiji: Final Game is a film based on the manga of the same name, which was written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. He also wrote the script, which is an original story and not based on any arcs from the source material. It was released on the 10th of January, 2020, and is a sequel to Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler, as well as the third and final instalment in the Kaiji trilogy.

After the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Japan's economy worsens to the point where citizens now survive on meager salaries. One of these unfortunate people is Kaiji Itō (Tatsuya Fujiwara), two-time former winner against the hierarchical Teiai Corporation. When he conquers a new contest introduced to him by an old enemy, he gains a special card that leads to a resistance group planning to stop the Japanese government from financially enriching the higher class at the cost of the lower class. With Japan's future at stake, Kaiji must triumph over new, tricky challenges to potentially win big. The gambler has returned and he won't go down without a trick up his sleeve.

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Kaiji: Final Game contains examples of:

• Adaptational Alternate Ending: The author of the original Kaiji manga wrote this film as a conclusion to the film series adaptation, but did not use anything from the third arc onwards. Meanwhile, the manga is still going in its sixth arc.
• All for Nothing: After everything Kaiji has gone through in all three films, he fails to gain any money, with only a suitcase full of water bottles. He did bring it upon himself, since he chose the bigger of the two suitcases presented to him.
• Back for the Finale: Endo returns for this last instalment, after having sat out the second movie.
• Book Ends:
  • In the entire trilogy. The first ever game Kaiji played in the Teiai Corporation's competition on the Espoir was "Restricted Rock Paper Scissors". Here, the last game he plays against Takakura is "Gold Rock Paper Scissors".
  • Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler ended with Kaiji walking away in a crowd, and turning back slightly, after having lost all of his money. This movie ends with Kaiji gazing into the distance, alone, and unaware of the lack of money in his suitcase.
• Breaking Old Trends:
  • The previous two Kaiji movies began with a Teiai Corporation meeting. Hyōdō's opening lines spoke about the meaning of power, while Ichizo's revolved around rising among the ranks to become number one. Here, Kaiji has the Opening Monologue role, recapping how Japan's economy declined in 2020. And the first thing we see is an Orbital Shot of him staring at a raging bonfire instead of the Teiai building.
  • Instead of the victory theme being heard at the final challenges' conclusion in the first two films, the second-last challenge, "Human Scale", is where the music is played.
• Break Them by Talking: When Sugawara and three other "Tower of Babel" contestants confront Kaiji about his victory, Kaiji calls them out for failing to follow through their attack without any plans. Sugawara immediately breaks down upon hearing this.
  Sugawara: Yes, we're all bums here. We already know that! But you don't have to rub it in, man!
• Chekhov's Gun:
  • One of the "Tower of Babel" contestants attempts to grab the life reversal card at the top of the pole by using a drone. Later, he and his team pilot multiple drones to pick up Kaiji's "Dream Jump" gold bars and drop them onto Kaiji's balance scale.
  • Every time Kanako says "nines", she accompanies it with a Finger Gun. When she is being pulled away by security, she secretly uses this gesture behind her back to tell Kaiji which numbered rope to take in the "Dream Jump".
  • The chipped coin that Minato throws in "The Final Judgement", which bounces off the balance scale's strings. We don't see where it lands, until the last "Human Scale" weighing, where it rolls off the antique clock's minute hand and into Kaiji's balance scale, giving him the win.
• Chekhov's Gunman: The movie spends some time on Sugiyama, an ill watchmaker wanting to make ends meet for her family. She is later revealed to have infiltrated "The Final Judgement" beforehand as a temp lady, altering the antique clock's pendulum to speed up and give Kaiji's team a hidden 5-minute advantage.
• Clock Tampering: This is revealed to be Kaiji's main plan in "The Last Judgement". With the help of Sugiyama, they reduce the length between the center of mass and the fulcrum in this challenge's antique clock. Thus, time goes faster to the point where Kaiji's team have 5 more minutes to put more money on their balance scale despite the last deadline seemingly being reached.
• Continuity Nod:
  • At one point, Kaiji complains about standing on a beam at a vast height from the ground again. This undoubtedly references the "Brave Men Road" challenge in the first film.
  • When Kaiji goes to Teiai Land with Minato and Kanako, he looks at the descending elevator levels with unease. He then remembers the time he was stuck in underground labor after losing "Restricted Rock Paper Scissors".
  • Before "The Final Judgement" begins, Kurosaki informs Kaiji that he won't end up in the same predicament as Tonegawa and Ichizo.
  • During the stadium showdown, Kaiji dares Takakura to punch him, claiming he couldn't care less about it. He really did pick up something from Tonegawa, who did the same thing after taunting Kaiji's PTSD from "Brave Men Road".
• Death by Childbirth: This is how Hiromi died, by giving birth to her son, Minato.
• Driven to Suicide: The "Dream Jump" has been described as this for the participants. Each of them enter the game knowing full well that they have a high chance of falling to their death for nothing.
  Kaiji: (Reading advertisement) If you wish to kill yourself, please contact your staff. This shall be your hopeful suicide.
• Engineered Public Confession: Sugawara's team uploads an online recording of the corrupt politicians attempting to leave with their "Teiyen" money. This is then broadcast all over the country by the news.
• Finger Gun: One can notice that Kanako is doing this on the poster. And it turns out to be a crucial Chekhov's Gun later on...
• Five-Second Foreshadowing: Before Kaiji reveals that his real plan was to record the politicians' escape and release the video on the Internet, Kanako, Minato and Sugiwara are shown to have returned to the abandoned house. If you look closely, Sugiwara can clearly be seen using video editing software on his computer.
• Foreshadowing:
  • When Kaiji asks Togo why he didn't choose to leave before Takakura initiates the deposit blockade, Minato reminds Kaiji that Togo is living on borrowed time. Togo reaffirms this, thinking he will die soon, which tragically comes true during "The Final Judgement".
  • After Doumoto's betrayal, Togo staggers over to his seat, with his hand clutching his chest. Later on, Togo has a heart attack that proves fatal for him.
  • There are scenes that hint at Takakura secretly moving up the "Ceremony of Fate" to accept the deposit blockade early. When Takakura is watching Kaiji's team in "The Last Judgement", his secretary informs him that "they've all arrived". Later on, he has changed into a new suit with a flower pin on his left side. That was the same pin that he wore when he announced his deposit blockade to the government, and when the reveal happens later, a flashback shows that the "Ceremony of Fate" had all government males wearing the same suit and pin.
• Gory Discretion Shot: When the first "Dream Jump" occurs, the nine unlucky contestants end up plummeting to their deaths. The sound of their impacts are clearly heard, but the camera focuses on the audience's reaction and betting tickets falling on the ground.
• Grand Finale: Has been described as one for the Kaiji movie series.
• Heel–Face Turn: Initially, Minato was revealed to be The Mole for Kurosaki, so that he can get revenge on his father, Togo. But once his attempt to convert Togo's painting into a fortune of money failed, followed by Kurosaki disowning him, Minato finally sides with Kaiji.
• I Know You Know I Know: Let's just say that Kaiji, Togo, Kurosaki and Takakura played one of the biggest mind games of the entire Kaiji trilogy. To list...
  • Takakura: Proposes a deposit blockade and a new currency, the "Teiyen", to replace the yen. Sets up the "Ceremony of Fate" for the government to accept these new laws in ten days. Once it is done, those politicians will flee with hefty "Teiyen" payments.
  • Togo: Participates in "The Final Judgement" with Kaiji, Minato and Kanako, so that he can win, gain billions of cash and bribe certain politicians into stopping the two laws from happening.
  • Takakura: Has Kurosaki play "The Final Judgement", which would pit him against Togo's team. He knows that Kurosaki would abuse every loophole possible to win, up to recruiting Togo's son, Minato, and blackmailing Togo's best friend, Doumoto.
  • Togo: Establish his own personal painting as a prized item, even if it's financially worthless. He then permits Kaiji to participate in the "Dream Jump" for more money.
  • Kurosaki: He has his men deliberately randomize the safe rope to pick from, out of ten available.
  • Kaiji: Secretly gets Minato to shut down the "Dream Jump" randomizer, hoping that Kanako will find the right numbered rope by sorting through used tickets. The number that doesn't come up often is the correct one and Kaiji wins in the final weighing, through speeding up the clock, a few drones from Sugiwara's group, and luck through more coins falling from that same clock's minute hand.
  • Takakura: Meets up with Kaiji's team, reminding them that the "Ceremony of Fate" already happened today, knowing that bribery would be attempted. This means the politicians can flee through a secret exit. Even worse, Togo has died during this commotion from a heart attack.
  • Kaiji: Gets a phone call from the Printing Bureau about Togo's real plan, and hence, stage 1 of victory. Not to bribe politicians, but to switch the codes for the container, entrance/exit and suitcases. Those codes are split into two: half are in three envelopes, and the other half are memorized by Kaiji. He then challenges Takakura to three "Gold Rock Paper Scissors" rounds, where he needs to win just one round.
  • Takakura: Wins the first two rounds and loses the last on purpose, just to get the container and entrance/exit codes. Having predicted Kaiji's suitcase lock plan, he actually installed an automatic unlocking system in the suitcases beforehand, set to open at 12pm tomorrow.
  • Kaiji: Finally beats Takakura, by laying out stage 2 of his plan. He gloats that most of the "Teiyen" inside the suitcases was switched with ordinary yen, forcing the government to cancel the deposit blockade. Additionally, he knew about the automatic unlocking from the Printing Bureau, so he ensured that Takakura would only receive the container and entrance/exit codes. And finally, he has Sugiwara record the politicians' escape and upload it online. A job well done from Kaiji and the late Togo!
• Loophole Abuse: For "The Final Judgement", Kurosaki exploits two loopholes with the money exchanger, which is said to convert any valuable item into gold bars. In turn, Kaiji uses one critical loophole at the "Human Scale" weighing.
  • Firstly, Machimura, a high school friend of Togo, arrives with a prized ivory and coral. No money is received when these items are fed into the exchanger, because Kurosaki points out that the coral and ivory were only gained through an illegal trade.
  • Secondly, Togo's brother presents a deed for some land at Minato, worth around 5 billion yen. Unfortunately, it's converted to only one gold bar, since the government plans to construct a landfill around that area, reducing the deed's market value. Again, Kurosaki is the one revealing this, just to rub salt into the heroes' wounds.
  • And finally, when some coins on the clock's minute hand falls on Kaiji's balance scale, Kurosaki calls bullshit on this. Kaiji then reminds him about the second rule established for "The Final Judgement": that "all coins wagered within the time limit are valid". Also, one can take into account the fifth rule: "The gold bars and coins that fell on the ground will be confiscated by Teiai". Since some of the fans threw their gold coins onto the minute hand instead of the balance scales or the floor, they still count.
• The Mole: In the second act, Minato is revealed to be one of these for Kurosaki. He was the one who provided Doumoto's location for a possible blackmail, and sicced Sugawara's group on Kaiji for vengeance regarding their loss in the "Tower of Babel".
• Near-Villain Victory: Both villains of the movie almost succeed in getting what they want.
  • Kaiji concocted an elaborate plan in "The Final Judgement", which involved an altered clock fulcrum and a last ditch gamble at the "Dream Jump", to accumulate more money for Togo's side. Despite this, Kurosaki dominated the majority of the game with several loophole abuses, bribes and alliances with those who wanted to donate their money for Togo's cause. Hence, his balance scale ends up heavier than Kaiji's, even when a few more coins fall from the clock's minute hand and onto Kaiji's balance scale. Unfortunately, one more chipped coin lands in Kaiji's balance scale, costing Kurosaki the game.
  • Takakura ensures that the "Ceremony of Fate" happens on the same day of "The Last Judgement", rather than a day after. This would prevent Kaiji's bribe from happening, lead government officials into accepting the deposit blockade and "Teiyen", as well as let these corrupt politicans escape with suitcases full of the new currency. Even when Kaiji reveals his real plan of individually gambling altered container, entrance/exit and suitcase codes in three "Gold Rock Paper Scissors" rounds, Takakura deliberately wins the first two and loses the last. He already added an automatic unlocking system for the suitcases, so the politicians would get their money anyway. Unfortunately, he failed to consider that Kaiji secretly switched the currency of the politicians' money to the old system, rendering their deposit blockade null and void.
• Race Against the Clock: The main objective of "The Final Judgement" is to get as much money on each balance scale, through friends, family, fixers and fans. All of this needs to be completed before 2:10, 4:10 and 5:10, where both participants weigh themselves and their money on the "Human Scale".
• "The Reason You Suck" Speech:
  • Three of these are given by Kaiji.
  • Firstly, he calls out Sugawara and his cronies for their attempts to murder him and get even over their "Tower of Babel" loss. It lets him live.
    Sugawara: W-WE'LL KILL YOU!
    Kaiji: What the hell? You're shaking like leaves! That's why you could never do it! You play by the book and can't come up with stopgap measures. You just go with the flow! You bums will never break out if you're glued to each other like this! In fact, with your kinda life, you'll just be bums again even when you're reborn. Bums. Bums! BUMS! JUST AN ENDLESS CYCLE OF DEBAUCHERY, FOLLOWED BY DEATH! AM I WRONG?!
  • Secondly, Kurosaki is called out after his loss on "The Final Judgement" and the "Human Scale".
    "WHAT A SAD SIGHT, KUROSAKI! YOU'VE MADE FOOLS OF THE DISPATCHERS AND TRAMPLED OVER THEM, ONLY FOR THEM TO PULL THE CARPET FROM UNDER YOU! YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW! WELCOME TO THE LIFE OF THE LOWER CLASS YOU'VE BEEN MOCKING THIS WHOLE TIME!"
  • Finally, Kaiji rips apart every one of Takakura's justifications in his deposit blockade plan, after it has fallen apart completely. Takakura is left speechless after this, and Kaiji leaves him behind to contemplate his actions.
• Sequel Escalation: The previous two movies involved Kaiji battling Teiai higher-ups to free him and his friends of their own debts. Here, his mission is to defeat Teiai officials working with the Japanese government in the hopes of saving the lower class of Japan from financial ruin!
• Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Two in "The Final Judgement" challenge.
  • Minato attempts to convert a seemingly prized family painting for a possible fortune on Kurosaki's balance scale. He only receives one coin from the frame's value, because the artist never made the painting public.
  • The giant clock used is an antique one, for aesthetics sake. However, this kind of machinery is also old, and can also be prone to malfunctions. When it's time for the final "Human Scale" weighing, the minute hand breaks, sending some coins onto Kaiji's balance scale, giving his team the win.
• Wham Line:
  • "The Last Judgement" reaches its final deadline for donations in each challenger's balance scale, with Kurosaki gloating to Kaiji that he has won the game by having more money than him. But Kaiji shuts that down with one observation.
    Kaiji: We still have five minutes left.
    Kurosaki: Huh?
    Kaiji: That clock is five minutes too fast.
  • After the final "Human Scale" weighing, Kaiji and his team head off to enact Togo's plan. They will bribe politicians and stop the deposit blockade, which will be accepted through a "Ceremony of Fate" planned for tomorrow. They run into Takakura, who not only compliments their performance, but also discloses why their plan won't work.
    "The 'Ceremony of Fate' just came to a close. It moved forward a day."
• Wham Shot: Two of them in the same scene. After Togo's team gradually begin to lose their lead against Kurosaki in "The Last Judgement", Kaiji starts to consider that someone on his side deliberately told the opposing side about their allies and their money. When he turns around, he sees Minato's supporter badge on a bench, meaning that Minato is the traitor. Just to hammer home this revelation, Minato reveals himself as Kurosaki's next dealer, holding Togo's painting, which was mentioned to have been lost earlier.
• You Are Too Late: Takakura does everything to make sure that certain politicians aren't bribed by Togo, in the hopes of approving a deposit blockade at the "Ceremony of Fate". Additionally, he is paranoid enough to move up the date of this event, so that it happens on the same day that Togo and Kurosaki participate in "The Last Judgement". When it finally happens, he reveals this to Kaiji, Minato and Kanako, certain that his plan won't go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, it turns out that Togo's plan was more complex than that...

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"No other man is more fit for such a low life."