View source for Lone Wolf and Cub

{{Short description|Japanese manga series by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}

{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image           = Lone Wolf manga.jpg
| caption         = Cover art by [[Frank Miller]] of vol. 1 of the English version of ''Lone Wolf and Cub'', featuring Ogami Ittō (top) and Daigorō (bottom)
| ja_kanji        = 子連れ狼
| ja_romaji       = Kozure Ōkami
| genre           = {{ubl|[[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]<ref name="Vol12"/>|[[Epic (genre)|Epic]]<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Rourke|first=Shawn|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Part 2: Revenge in the Epic Narrative Tradition|url=https://www.popmatters.com/118105-revenge-in-the-epic-narrative-tradition-2496143918.html|website=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030205014/https://www.popmatters.com/118105-revenge-in-the-epic-narrative-tradition-2496143918.html|archive-date=October 30, 2020|date=January 20, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS: A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = [[Kazuo Koike]]
| illustrator  = [[Goseki Kojima]]
| publisher    = [[Futabasha]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher| NA= [[Dark Horse Comics]]}}
| magazine     = [[Manga Action|Weekly Manga Action]]
| first        = September 10, 1970
| last         = April 1, 1976
| volumes      = 28
| volume_list  = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
|title           = Sequels
|content         =
* ''[[New Lone Wolf and Cub]]'' (2003–06)
* ''Soshite Kozure Ōkami: Shikaku no Ko'' (2007–10)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Lone Wolf and Cub'''''|子連れ狼|Kozure Ōkami|"[[Japanese wolf|Wolf]] taking along his child"|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series written by [[Kazuo Koike]] and illustrated by [[Goseki Kojima]]. It was serialized in [[Futabasha]]'s [[Seinen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Manga Action|Weekly Manga Action]]'' from September 1970 to April 1976, with its chapters collected in 28 ''{{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}}'' volumes. It is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential manga series of all time, spawning various adaptations, including six films, four plays, and a television series.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2002/07/19/father-knows-best/|title=Father Knows Best|last=Bernardin|first=Marc|date=July 19, 2002|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229104052/https://ew.com/article/2002/07/19/father-knows-best/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Lone Wolf and Cub'' chronicles the story of Ogami Ittō, the ''[[shōgun]]''{{'}}s executioner who uses a [[dōtanuki]] battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the [[Yagyū clan]], he is forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, Daigorō, they seek revenge on the Yagyū clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub".

''Lone Wolf and Cub'' is considered to be among the most influential manga ever created.<ref name="animenation"/> It has been cited as the origin for the trope of a man protecting a child on a journey across a dangerous landscape. This is known as the Lone Wolf and Cub trope or genre, which has since inspired numerous books, comics, films, television shows, and video games.<ref name="slashfilm"/><ref name="hollywoodreporter"/><ref name="mashable"/>

==Plot==
Ogami Ittō, a formidable warrior and a master of the ''[[suiō-ryū]]'' swordsmanship, serves as the ''Kogi Kaishakunin'' (the Shōgun's executioner), a position of high power in the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] during the 1700s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Koike|first=Kazuo|title=Lone Wolf and Cub: Volume 5 – Black Wind|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|others=Gōseki Kojima, Dana Lewis|year=2001|isbn=1-56971-502-5|edition=1st|location=Milwaukie, OR|page=159|language=en|oclc=45712675}}</ref> Along with the [[oniwaban]] and the assassins, Ogami Ittō is responsible for enforcing the will of the ''[[shōgun]]'' over the ''[[daimyō]]s'' (lesser domain lords). For those samurai and lords ordered to commit ''[[seppuku]]'', the ''Kogi Kaishakunin'' assists their deaths by decapitating them to relieve the agony of disembowelment; in this role, he is entitled and empowered to wear the hollyhock [[Mon (emblem)|crest]] of the Tokugawa clan, in effect acting in place of the ''shōgun''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lone Wolf and Cub: The Assassin's Road|last1=Koike|first1=Kazuo|last2=Kojima|first2=Gōseki|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|year=2000|isbn=1-56971-502-5|location=Milwaukie, OR}}</ref>

After Ogami Ittō's wife, Azami, gives birth to their son, Daigorō, Ogami Ittō returns to find her and all of their household brutally murdered, with only the newborn Daigorō surviving. The supposed culprits are three former retainers of an abolished clan, avenging the execution of their lord by Ogami Ittō. However, the entire matter was planned by Yagyū Retsudō, leader of the  Ura-Yagyū ''(Shadow [[Yagyū clan|Yagyu]])'' clan, in order to seize Ogami's post as part of a master plan to control the three key positions of power: the spy system, the official assassins, and the Shogunate Decapitator. During the initial incursion, an ''[[ihai]]'' (funeral tablet) with the ''shōgun''{{'}}s crest on it was placed inside the Ogami family shrine, signifying a supposed wish for the shogun's death. When the tablet is "discovered" during the murder investigation, its presence condemns Ittō as a traitor and thus he is forced to forfeit his post and is sentenced, along with Daigorō, to commit ''seppuku''.

The one-year-old Daigorō is given a choice by his father: a ball or a sword. If Daigorō chose the ball, his father would kill him to send Daigorō to be with his mother; however, the child crawls toward the sword and reaches for its hilt; this assigns him the path of a ''[[rōnin]]''. Refusing to kill themselves and fighting free from their house imprisonment, father and son begin wandering the country as "demons"—the assassin-for-hire team that becomes known as "Lone Wolf and Cub", vowing to destroy the Yagyū clan to avenge Azami's death and Ittō's disgrace.

On ''meifumadō'' ("The Road to [[Yomi|Hell]]"), the cursed journey for vengeance, Ogami Ittō and Daigorō experience numerous adventures. They encounter (and slay) all of Yagyū Retsudō's children (both [[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimate]] and illegitimate) along with the entire Kurokuwa ninja clan, eventually facing Retsudō himself. When Retsudō and the Yagyū clan are unable to kill Ittō, the shogunate officially proclaims him and Daigorō outlaws with a price on their heads, authorizing all clans to try and arrest/kill them and permitting anyone to go after them for the bounty. The last duel between Ogami Ittō and Yagyū Retsudō runs 178 pages—one of the longest single fight-scenes ever published in a manga.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Toward the end of their journey, Ogami Ittō's ''[[dōtanuki]]'' sword is surreptitiously tampered with and damaged by a supposed sword-polisher who is really an elite ''kusa'' ("Grass" ninja) of the Yagyū clan. When Ittō is finally attacked by the last of the ''kusa'', the sword breaks and Ittō receives wounds that are ultimately fatal. Deadlocked in mid-battle with Retsudō, Ittō's spirit leaves his body after years of fatigue and bloodshed, unable to destroy his longtime enemy and ending his path of ''meifumadō''.

The story finishes with Daigorō taking up Retsudō's broken spear and charging in fury. Retsudō opens his arms, disregarding all defense, and allows Daigorō to drive the spear into his body. Embracing Daigorō with tears, Retsudō names him "grandson of my heart", closing the cycle of vengeance and hatred between the clans and concluding the epic.

Many of the stories are written in a non-chronological order, revealing different parts of the narrative at different times. For example, Ogami's betrayal is not revealed until the end of the first volume, after many stories have already passed.

==Development==
Writer [[Kazuo Koike]] was inspired by the legendary hero [[Sigurd]], who is made invulnerable by bathing in a dragon's blood—except for where a leaf shields part of his back and retains his mortality; the character of Daigorō was created to mirror this weakness in Ogami.<ref name=":0">''Kazuo Koike on Lone Wolf and Cub'' (2016). ''[[The Criterion Collection]]''.</ref>{{Rp|page=2:00}}

Koike stated in an interview that he crafted the manga to be based upon the characters themselves and that the "essential tension between [Ittō's] imperative to meet these challenges while keeping his son with him on the journey" drove the story.<ref name="KoikeDHint">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/news/interviews.php?id=1261|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060320203346/http://www.darkhorse.com/news/interviews.php?id=1261|archive-date=2006-03-20|title=Kazuo Koike - The Dark Horse Interview 3/3/06|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]|date=2006-03-03|access-date=2002-03-08}}</ref> According to Koike, "Having two characters as foils of each other is what sets things in motion" and "If you have a strong character, the storyline will develop naturally, on its own."<ref name="KoikeDHint" />

Less than a year after the manga's debut, [[Tomisaburo Wakayama]] came to Koike to propose starring in the films, to which he immediately agreed.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=4:00}}

According to Koike, he knew from the beginning, being killers themselves, both Ogami and Retsudō must die at the end, while Daigorō should survive. Both the producers of the 1970s television series and the magazine publisher opposed this, so he had to end his story in his way "without their permission".<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=9:00}}

==Characters==
<!-- Consider merging this into the plot summary, or finding detailed information about the characters from published books, journal articles, or magazine articles and expanding these -->
* {{nihongo|'''{{visible anchor|Ogami Ittō}}'''|[[:ja:拝一刀|拝 一刀]]}}—The shogun's executioner, Ittō decides to avenge the death of his wife, {{nihongo|Ogami Azami|[[:ja:拝薊|拝 薊]]||"Asami" in the Dark Horse version}} and to restore his clan.
* {{nihongo|'''{{visible anchor|Ogami Daigorō}}'''|[[:ja:拝大五郎|拝 大五郎]]|romanized as "Daigoro" in the Dark Horse version}}—The son of Ittō and Azami, Daigorō becomes a stronger warrior as the story progresses.
* {{nihongo|'''Yagyū Retsudō'''|[[:ja:柳生烈堂|柳生 烈堂]]}}—The leader of the Shadow Yagyū clan, Retsudō tries everything in his power to ensure that Ittō dies.
* {{nihongo|'''Abe Tanomo'''|[[:ja:阿部頼母|阿部 頼母]]||also known as Kaii (怪異)}}—The shogun's food taster and a master of poisons; originally ordered to assist Retsudō in disposing of Ittō, Tanomo dishonorably tries to kill Ittō, Daigorō, and Retsudō in order to seize power for himself. In the original TV series, his character was introduced in Episode 13 of the third series, "Moon of Desire".

==Media==
===Manga===
====Japan====
Written by [[Kazuo Koike]] and illustrated by [[Goseki Kojima]], ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' was serialized in [[Futabasha]]'s [[Seinen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Manga Action|Weekly Manga Action]]''. Its first installment was published on September 10, 1970.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:週刊漫画アクション 1970年|url=https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M646839|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=June 13, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240615090321/https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M646839|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Manga Top Ten トップテン・マンガ|url=https://comicbookinvest.com/2017/12/18/the-manga-top-ten/|access-date=June 13, 2024|website=CBSI Comics|date=December 19, 2017 |archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209211124/https://comicbookinvest.com/2017/12/18/the-manga-top-ten/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series finished with the 145th installment published on April 1, 1976.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:週刊漫画アクション 1976年|url=https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M588583|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=June 13, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240615090544/https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M588583|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Contents|magazine=Weekly Manga Action|publisher=[[Futabasha]]|date=April 1970|no-pp=y|page=Table of contents|url=https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1140079680|access-date=June 13, 2024|language=ja|archive-date=June 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613004523/https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1140079680|url-status=live|quote={{lang|ja|漫画アクション1976/04/01}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contents|url=http://www.gouseki.kazekaworu.com/list51.html|access-date=June 13, 2024|website=gouseki.kazekaworu.com|quote={{lang|ja|子連れ狼・最終回/其之百四十五腕（かいな）・後編}}|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327205949/http://gouseki.kazekaworu.com/list51.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Futabasha collected its chapters in 28 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes, published from May 1972 to May 1976.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:子連れ狼 1|url=https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M256534|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=June 13, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240615090801/https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M256534|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:子連れ狼 28|url=https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M213358|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=June 13, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240615091414/https://mediaarts-db.artmuseums.go.jp/id/M213358|url-status=live}}</ref> When ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' was first released in [[Japan]] in 1970, it became wildly popular for its powerful, epic [[samurai]] story and its stark and gruesome depiction of violence during [[Edo period|Tokugawa era]] Japan. As of October 2006, the manga had sold 8.3 million copies in Japan and 11.8 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title=劇画「子連れ狼」の原作者 小池一夫さんが郷土・大仙市に 住所も移し、花館に同級生らと集える自宅|url=http://www.hana.or.jp/hana/nitiniti/famous/fp061008.html|website=Kitaura Hana Net|language=ja|date=October 8, 2006|access-date=April 21, 2024|archive-date=September 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001008/http://www.hana.or.jp/hana/nitiniti/famous/fp061008.html}}</ref>

''Lone Wolf and Cub'' is one of the most highly regarded manga due to its epic scope, detailed historical accuracy, masterful artwork, and nostalgic yet brutally frank recollection of the [[bushido]] ethos.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} The story spans 28 volumes of manga, with over 300 pages each (totaling over 8,700 pages in all). Many of the panels of the series are depictions of nature, historical locations in Japan, and traditional activities. A couple of years into the series, a story depicts the fate of Yamada Asaemon, the main character of ''[[Samurai Executioner]]'', also created by Koike and [[Goseki Kojima|Kojima]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dark Horse Comics presents Samurai Executioner, a manga masterwork from the creators of Lone Wolf and Cub! :: Archived Press Releases|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/922/Dark-Horse-Comics-presents-Samurai-Executioner-a-manga-masterwork-from-the-creators-of-Lone-Wolf-and-Cub|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Dark Horse Comics|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401083836/https://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/922/Dark-Horse-Comics-presents-Samurai-Executioner-a-manga-masterwork-from-the-creators-of-Lone-Wolf-and-Cub|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 5: Black Wind by Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/242423/lone-wolf-and-cub-volume-5-black-wind-by-kazuo-koike-goseki-kojima/9781621150701|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Penguin Random House Canada|language=English|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810113357/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/242423/lone-wolf-and-cub-volume-5-black-wind-by-kazuo-koike-goseki-kojima/9781621150701|url-status=live}}</ref> One reviewer notes that Asaemon looks different in this appearance, apparently due to Ogami Ittō having been designed so similarly to the original Asaemon.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Mick|date=August 17, 2011|title=Review - Lone Wolf & Cub Vol. 5: Black Wind|url=http://www.superheroesetc.net/2011/08/review-lone-wolf-cub-vol-5-black-wind.html|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Superheroes, etc.|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127121616/http://www.superheroesetc.net/2011/08/review-lone-wolf-cub-vol-5-black-wind.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

====North America====
''Lone Wolf and Cub'' was initially released in North America in a translated English edition by [[First Comics]] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-12-01|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Part 1: History and Influences|url=https://www.popmatters.com/116502-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-1-history-and-influences-2496129407.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=PopMatters|language=en|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032056/https://www.popmatters.com/116502-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-1-history-and-influences-2496129407.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The monthly series of comic-book-sized issues featured covers by [[Frank Miller]], [[Bill Sienkiewicz]], [[Matt Wagner]], [[Mike Ploog]], and [[Ray Lago]]. Sales were initially strong but fell sharply as the company went into a general decline.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} First Comics shut down in 1991 without completing the series, publishing less than a third of the total series over 45 issues.

Starting in September 2000, [[Dark Horse Comics]] began to release an English translation of the full series in 28 smaller-sized trade paperback volumes with longer page-counts (from 260 to over 300 pages), similar to the volumes published in Japan. Dark Horse completed the presentation of the entire series, fully translated, with the publication of the 28th volume in December 2002. Dark Horse reused all of Miller's covers from the First Comics edition, as well as several done by Sienkiewicz, and commissioned Wagner, [[Guy Davis (artist)|Guy Davis]], and [[Vince Locke]] to produce new covers for several volumes of the collections. In October 2012, Dark Horse completed the release of all 28 volumes in digital format as part of their "[[Dark Horse Digital]]" online service.

====Volumes====
{| style="width:90%;" class="wikitable"
|-
|valign = "top"|
1. The Assassin's Road<br/>
2. The Gateless Barrier<br/>
3. The Flute of the Fallen Tiger<br/>
4. The Bell Warden<br/>
5. Black Wind<br/>
6. Lanterns For the Dead<br/>
7. Cloud Dragon, Wind Tiger
|valign = "top"|
8. Chains of Death<br/>
9. Echo of the Assassin<br/>
10. Hostage Child<br/>
11. Talisman of Hades<br/>
12. Shattered Stones<br/>
13. Moon in the East, Sun in the West<br/>
14. Day of the Demons
|valign = "top"|
15. Brothers of the Grass<br/>
16. Gateway Into Winter<br/>
17. The Will of the Fang<br/>
18. Twilight of the Kurokuwa<br/>
19. The Moon In Our Hearts<br/>
20. A Taste of Poison<br/>
21. Fragrance of Death
|valign = "top"|
22. Heaven & Earth<br/>
23. Tears of Ice<br/>
24. In These Small Hands<br/>
25. Perhaps in Death<br/>
26. Struggle in the Dark<br/>
27. Battle's Eve<br/>
28. The Lotus Throne
|}

====Dark Horse Omnibus collected editions====
[[File:Lone Wolf and Cub Dark Horse.jpg|thumb|Volumes 1 through 6 of the Dark Horse Omnibus]]
Starting in May 2013, Dark Horse began publishing their translated editions of ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' in softcover Omnibus editions.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Vol.
!Volumes Collected
!ISBN
!Publication Date
|-
|1
|1, 2, 3*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-134-6}}
|May 2013
|-
|2
|3*, 4, 5
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-135-3}}
|August 2013
|-
|3
|6, 7, 8*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-200-8}}
|November 2013
|-
|4
|8*, 9, 10*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-392-0}}
|April 2014
|-
|5
|10*, 11, 12
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-393-7}}
|July 2014
|-
|6
|13, 14, 15*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-394-4}}
|October 2014
|-
|7
|15*, 16, 17*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-569-6}}
|January 2015
|-
|8
|17*, 18, 19*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-584-9}}
|April 2015
|-
|9
|19*, 20, 21*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-585-6}}
|July 2015
|-
|10
|21*, 22, 23
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-806-2}}
|October 2015
|-
|11
|24, 25, 26*
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-807-9}}
|January 2016
|-
|12
|26*, 27, 28<ref name="Vol12">{{cite web|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/27-997/Lone-Wolf-and-Cub-Omnibus-Volume-12-TPB|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 12 TPB|website=Dark Horse Comics|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032234/https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/27-997/Lone-Wolf-and-Cub-Omnibus-Volume-12-TPB|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{ISBNT|978-1-61655-808-6}}
|April 2016
|}
Partial volumes collected in Omnibus form are marked with an asterisk (*).

====Sequels and follow-up series====
In 2002, a "reimagined" version of the story, ''Lone Wolf 2100'', was created by writer Mike Kennedy and artist Francisco Ruiz Velasco with Koike's indirect involvement. The story was a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] take on the tale with several differences, such as a female cub and a worldwide setting: Daisy Ogami, daughter of a renowned scientist, and Itto, her father's cybernetic bodyguard and Daisy's subsequent protector, attempt to escape from the Cygnat Owari Corporation's schemes.

Dark Horse announced at the 2006 [[New York Comic Con]] that they had licensed ''[[New Lone Wolf and Cub]]'', Kazuo Koike and [[Hideki Mori]]'s follow-up to ''Lone Wolf and Cub'', starring Ogami Itto's son Daigoro, the famous child in the baby cart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8289.html|title=Dark Horse to Double Manga Output in '06|date=February 27, 2006|website=[[ICv2]]|access-date=2009-10-26|archive-date=November 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108051155/http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8289.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In this new series, which picks up immediately after the climactic battle of the original series, the bodies of Ogami Itto and Yagyu Retsudo are left lying on the beach, with Daigoro left alone standing over his father's body (since no one, for political reasons, dares to bury either body or take charge of Daigoro). A bearded samurai, Tōgō Shigetada of the Satsuma clan and master of the ''[[Jigen-ryū]]'' style of swordsmanship (based on the actual historical personage Tōgō Shigetaka, creator of ''Jigen-ryū''), wanders onto the battlefield and assists Daigoro with the [[cremation]]/funeral of Ogami Itto and Yagyu Retsudo. Tōgō, who is on a training journey and also carries a ''dotanuki'' sword similar to Ogami's (and crafted by the same swordsmith), then assumes guardianship of Daigoro, including retrieving the baby cart and teaching/training Daigoro in ''Jigen-ryū''.

The two soon become enmeshed in a plot by the Shogunate conceived by the ruthless [[Matsudaira Nobutsuna]] and spearheaded by his chief henchman [[Mamiya Rinzō]] (also based on an actual historical character) to topple the Satsuma clan and assume control of that fiefdom's great wealth, using Tōgō as an unwitting pawn. When Tōgō discovers that he has been tricked and used, he and Daigoro embark on the road of ''meifumado'' in a quest to kill the shogun (which would force Matsudaira out into the open). However, Rinzō, who is not only a master of disguise but also Matsudaira's natural son, may have an even more devious plan of his own, including subverting the shogun's own ninja and using [[opium]] to ensnare and enslave the shogun himself. This series also introduces non-Japanese characters into the plotlines. Dark Horse began publishing the follow-up series, ''New Lone Wolf and Cub'', in June 2014;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/13-998/New-Lone-Wolf-Cub-Volume-1-TPB|title=New Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1|website=Dark Horse Comics|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=December 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231202421/http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/13-998/New-Lone-Wolf-Cub-Volume-1-TPB|url-status=live}}</ref> the eleventh and last volume was released in December 2016.

A second sequel series, titled {{lang|ja|そして――子連れ狼 刺客の子}} ({{ill|Soshite Kozure Ōkami: Shikaku no Ko|ja|そして - 子連れ狼 刺客の子|lt={{Transliteration|ja|Soshite Kozure Ōkami: Shikaku no Ko}}}}, {{lit|More Lone Wolf and Cub: Eyes of the Child}}), was serialized in {{ill|Koike Shoin|ja|小池書院}}{{'}}s manga magazine ''Jin'' from January 20, 2007,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:時代劇漫画 刃-JIN-: ０７年３月号発売中！|url=http://jidaigeki-jin.cocolog-nifty.com/jin/2007/01/post_a46c_1.html|website=Jidaigeki Manga Jin|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226162530/http://jidaigeki-jin.cocolog-nifty.com/jin/2007/01/post_a46c_1.html|archive-date=December 26, 2007|language=ja}}</ref> until the magazine's last issue, released on May 21, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:刃　休刊のお知らせ|url=http://jidaigeki-jin.cocolog-nifty.com/jin/2008/06/index.html|website=Jidaigeki Manga Jin|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002093809/http://jidaigeki-jin.cocolog-nifty.com/jin/2008/06/index.html|archive-date=October 2, 2008|language=ja|date=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref name="JinEnds">{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Kazuo Koike's Jin Historical Manga Magazine Ends|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-06/kazuo-koike-jin-historical-manga-magazine-ends|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 31, 2023|date=June 6, 2008|archive-date=December 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216052813/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-06/kazuo-koike-jin-historical-manga-magazine-ends|url-status=live}}</ref> The series resumed on {{ill|eBookJapan|ja|イーブックイニシアティブジャパン}}{{'}}s online manga magazine ''Katana'' on April 14, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:有料ウェブマガジンのニューカマー「KATANA」創刊|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/15171|website=[[Natalie (website)|Comic Natalie]]|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=December 31, 2023|language=ja|date=April 7, 2009|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702233117/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/15171|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Manga Resumes in Katana Web Mag|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-14/lone-wolf-and-cub-manga-resumes-in-katana-web-mag|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 31, 2023|date=April 14, 2009|archive-date=December 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216051310/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-14/lone-wolf-and-cub-manga-resumes-in-katana-web-mag|url-status=live}}</ref> and finished on July 20, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:Web Magazine KATANA 31号|url=https://ebookjapan.yahoo.co.jp/books/113323/A000043606/|website=eBookJapan|access-date=December 31, 2023|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231231082337/https://ebookjapan.yahoo.co.jp/books/113323/A000043606/|archive-date=December 31, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Five volumes were released by Koike Shoin from July 27, 2007,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:『そして――子連れ狼 刺客の子』第１巻 発売！|url=http://www.koikekazuo.jp/cp-bin/blog/index.php?eid=92|website=Kazuo Koike's First Blog|publisher=Soeisha|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926071815/http://www.koikekazuo.jp/cp-bin/blog/index.php?eid=92|archive-date=September 26, 2007|language=ja|date=July 27, 2007}}</ref> to September 28, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:【9月28日付】本日発売の単行本リスト|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/77263|website=[[Natalie (website)|Comic Natalie]]|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=December 31, 2023|language=ja|date=September 28, 2012|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104071418/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/77263|url-status=live}}</ref> This series has not currently been translated into English.

===Films===
A total of six ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' films starring [[Tomisaburo Wakayama]] as Ogami Ittō and Tomikawa Akihiro as Daigoro were produced based on the manga. They are also known as the ''Sword of Vengeance'' series, based on the English-language title of the first film, and later as the ''Baby Cart'' series, because young Daigoro travels in a baby carriage pushed by his father.

The first three films, directed by Kenji Misumi, were released in 1972 and produced by [[Shintaro Katsu]], Wakayama's brother and the star of the 26-part ''[[Zatoichi]]'' film series. The next three films were produced by Wakayama himself and directed by [[Buichi Saitō]], [[Kenji Misumi]], and Yoshiyuki Kuroda, released in 1972, 1973, and 1974, respectively. Wakayama quit making the films after the popular television series began to air.<ref>''Lame d'un père, l'âme d'un sabre'' (2005). Wild Side Films. Event occurs at 41.</ref>

''[[Shogun Assassin]]'' (1980) is an English language compilation for the American audience, edited mainly from the second film, with 11 minutes of footage from the first. Also, the third film, ''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades]]'' was re-released on DVD in the US under the name ''[[Shogun Assassin 2: Lightning Swords of Death]]''.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!No.
! style="width:210px;"|English Title
!Year
!width="70"|Japanese
!Romanization
!Translation
|-
|1
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance]]''
|1972
|子連れ狼 子を貸し腕貸しつかまつる
|''Kozure Ōkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: Child and Expertise for Rent
|-
|2
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx]]''
|1972
|子連れ狼 三途の川の乳母車
|''Kozure Ōkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: Baby Cart of the River of Sanzu
|-
|3
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades]]'' AKA ''Shogun Assassin 2: Lightning Swords of Death''
|1972
||子連れ狼 死に風に向う乳母車
|''Kozure Ōkami: Shinikazeni mukau ubaguruma''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: Baby Cart Against the Winds of Death
|-
|4
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril]]'' AKA ''Shogun Assassin 3: Slashing Blades of Carnage''
|1972
|子連れ狼 親の心子の心
|''Kozure Ōkami: Oya no kokoro ko no kokoro''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: The Heart of a Parent, the Heart of a Child
|-
|5
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons]]'' AKA ''Shogun Assassin 4: Five Fistfuls of Gold''
|1973
|子連れ狼 冥府魔道
|''Kozure Ōkami: Meifumado''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: Land of Demons
|-
|6
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell]]'' AKA ''Shogun Assassin 5: Cold Road to Hell''
|1974
|子連れ狼 地獄へ行くぞ!大五郎
|''Kozure Ōkami: Jigoku e ikuzo! Daigoro''
|Wolf with Child in Tow: Now We Go to Hell, Daigoro!
|-
|7
|''[[Shogun Assassin]]''
|1980
|
| colspan=2|An English language dubbed film with 12 minutes from ''Sword of Vengeance'' and most of ''Baby Cart at the River Styx''.
|}

In 1992 the story was again adapted for film, ''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Final Conflict]],'' also known as ''Handful of Sand'' or ''A Child's Hand Reaches Up'' (''[[Kozure Ōkami: Sono Chiisaki te ni]]'', literally ''In That Little Hand''), directed by [[Akira Inoue (film director)|Akira Inoue]] and starring [[Masakazu Tamura]] as Ogami Itto.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:210px;"|English Title
!Year
!width="70"|Japanese
!Romanization
!Translation
|-
|''[[Lone Wolf and Cub: Final Conflict]]''
|1993
|子連れ狼 その小さき手に
|''Kozure Ōkami: Sono Chiisaki te ni''
|Lone Wolf and Cub: Final Conflict
|-
|}

In addition to the six original films (and ''Shogun Assassin'' in 1980), various [[television movie]]s have aired in connection with the [[television series]] as pilots, compilations or originals. These include several starring [[Yorozuya Kinnosuke|Kinnosuke Yorozuya]] (see section ''Television series''), in 1989 a TV movie called ''Lone Wolf With Child: An Assassin on the Road to Hell,'' better known as ''Baby Cart In Purgatory,'' where [[Hideki Takahashi]] plays Ogami Ittō and [[Tomisaburo Wakayama]] co-stars as Retsudo Yagyu.

====Hollywood remake====
In the 2000s, [[Darren Aronofsky]] attempted to get an official Hollywood version of ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' off the ground but could not secure the rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/061114k.php|title='Flicker' Over To Darren Aronofsky|first=Garth|last=Franklin|date=November 14, 2006|website=[[Dark Horizons]]|access-date=2006-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126075508/http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/061114k.php|archive-date=November 26, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-07/hollywood-lone-wolf-and-cub-no-longer-in-development|title=Hollywood's Lone Wolf and Cub No Longer in Development (Updated)|first=Egan|last=Loo|date=2009-01-07|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=2009-01-07|archive-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203035632/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-07/hollywood-lone-wolf-and-cub-no-longer-in-development|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2012, [[Justin Lin]] was announced as the director on an American version of ''Lone Wolf and Cub''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-justin-lin/|title=Kamala Films Acquires 'Lone Wolf And Cub' with 'Fast Five' Director Justin Lin Attached|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|date=27 March 2012|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403101736/http://collider.com/lone-wolf-and-cub-justin-lin/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2016, it was announced that producer [[Steven Paul]] had acquired the rights,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/manga-wolf-and-cub-set-for-remake-1201804811/|title=Iconic Manga 'Wolf and Cub' Set For Remake|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2016-06-27|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=2019-04-30|archive-date=October 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014044153/http://variety.com/2016/film/asia/manga-wolf-and-cub-set-for-remake-1201804811/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in October 2017, it was announced that [[Andrew Kevin Walker]] was writing the script.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=October 17, 2017 |title='Seven' Writer Andrew Kevin Walker Tackling 'Lone Wolf and Cub' for Paramount (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lone-wolf-cub-movie-remake-coming-paramount-1048107/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317212714/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lone-wolf-cub-movie-remake-coming-paramount-1048107/ |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

===Television series===
{{main|List of Lone Wolf and Cub episodes}}
Two full-fledged television series based on the manga have been broadcast to date.

The first, ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' (''Kozure Ōkami''), was produced in a typical [[jidaigeki]] format and broadcast for three seasons from 1973 to 1976, each episode 45 minutes long. Season one originally aired 27 episodes, but the original 2nd episode, "Gomune Oyuki (Oyuki of the Gomune)", was subsequently deleted from all rebroadcasts in Japan and VHS and DVD releases; the reasons why this episode has been excluded are currently unclear. Seasons two and three ran for 26 episodes each. [[Kinnosuke Yorozuya]] played Ogami Ittō and later reprised the role in a 1984 TV movie; Daigoro was played by Katzutaka Nishikawa in the first two seasons and by Takumi Satô in the final season.

The series was co-produced by Union Motion Picture Co, Ltd. ([[:ja:ユニオン映画|ユニオン映画]]) and Studio Ship ([[:ja:小池書院|スタジオシップ]]), a company formed by manga author Kazuo Koike, and originally aired on [[Nippon TV]] in Japan. It was subsequently broadcast in the United States as ''The Fugitive Samurai'' in the original Japanese with English subtitles, and released for the Toronto, Canada market by CFMT-TV (now [[OMNI 1]]) in the original Japanese with English subtitles as ''The Iron Samurai''. It has also been aired in Germany dubbed in German, in Italy dubbed in Italian; around 1980, a Portuguese dub was aired in Brazil as ''O Samurai Fugitivo (The Fugitive Samurai)'' on TVS, actually SBT, and in Spanish, as ''El Samurai Fugitivo'' on the American Spanish TV station Univision.

The first season was released on DVD in Japan on December 20, 2006, apparently without subtitles. Twelve of the first 13 episodes were released on DVD in Germany as ''Kozure Okami'', with audio in Japanese and German. In the U.S., [[Media Blasters]] released the first season on DVD on April 29, 2008, under its [[Tokyo Shock]] label, containing the original Japanese with English subtitles. All of these releases excluded the deleted-from-distribution second episode, "Gomune Oyuki".

The latest television series, also titled ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' (''Kozure Ōkami''), aired from 2002 to 2004 in [[Japan]] on [[TV Asahi]] with [[Kin'ya Kitaōji]] in the role of Ogami Ittō and Tsubasa Kobayashi as Daigoro. This series has not yet been made commercially available on DVD or Blu-ray; however, beginning in September 2023, English-subtitled episodes began being uploaded to the YouTube website, courtesy of the "Samurai vs. Ninja" YouTube Channel,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VwnFdRB5yU |title="Lone Wolf and Cub - Episode 01 - Martial Arts Adventure - Ninja vs Samurai" |website=YouTube |date=September 2023 |access-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903171749/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VwnFdRB5yU |url-status=live }}</ref> and currently all three seasons of the series have been uploaded.

===Games===
In 1987, [[video game]] manufacturer [[Nichibutsu]] released a [[beat 'em up]] [[arcade video game]] based on the series, named ''Kozure Ōkami'' in Japan<ref name="arcade"/> and ''Samurai Assassin'' overseas.<ref>{{cite web| title = Samurai Assassin arcade brochure| url = https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/nichibutsu/33003901.jpg| access-date = 2020-12-25| archive-date = March 25, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190325052052/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/nichibutsu/33003901.jpg| url-status = live}}</ref> Players guide Ogami Itto through an army of assassins while carrying his infant son on his back.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://karashitakana.boo.jp/games_arcade/kodure/index.htm|script-title=ja:子連れ狼 / 日本物産（1987）|trans-title=Wolf with a child / Nippon Bussan (1987)|website=Karashitakana.boo.jp|language=ja|access-date=17 April 2011|archive-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322205640/http://karashitakana.boo.jp/games_arcade/kodure/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A baby cart powerup enables Ookami to mow down enemies with blasts of fire. The game was only released in arcades.

In 1989, [[Mayfair Games]] published ''Lone Wolf and Cub Game'', a board game designed by Matthew Costello based on the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3344/lone-wolf-and-cub-game|access-date=30 October 2022|website=Board Game Geek|title=Lone Wolf and Cub Game|archive-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030091553/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3344/lone-wolf-and-cub-game|url-status=live}}</ref> GM Magazine reviewed the game, highlighting the illustrations, well-written encounters, and sturdy components; however, the reviewer found that the basic rules and limited options made for a dull experience on repeat plays.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[G.M. The Independent Fantasy Roleplaying Magazine]]|author=Wayne|date=March 1990|volume=2|issue=7|publisher=Croftward Publishing|title=Lone World and Cub &ndash; The Board Game}}</ref>

In [[Square (video game company)|Square]]'s 2001 [[PlayStation 2]] video game ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', there is an [[Spira (Final Fantasy)#Aeons and fayth|aeon]] named Yojimbo, a being the summoner [[Yuna (Final Fantasy)|Yuna]] can summon to battle, along with his dog Daigoro. He must be paid the game's form of money to use attacks varying in strength and weapon. With his design resembling that of ancient Japanese designs, his worker-employer relationship with Yuna, the aesthetic with his weaponry and mannerisms, and the name of his dog, many elements from Ittō were used to design this summon.

In 2012, a [[pachinko]] game adaptation called ''Kozure Ōkami'' was released in Japan.<ref name="animenation"/>

=== Music ===
Musician [[Thundercat (musician)|Thundercat]] includes a song of the same name on the EP [[The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam]].

===Library requests===
By 1990, many libraries understood the rise of graphic novels as a medium.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Decandido|first=Keith R. A.|date=March 15, 1990|title=Picture This: Graphic Novels in Libraries|journal=[[Library Journal]]|volume=115|pages=50–55|via=Ebscohost}}</ref> Many were advised to purchase copies of various graphic novels to keep up with public demand, listing many popular publications. One of the most prominent graphic novels listed was ''Lone Wolf and Cub,'' focusing on the Japanese elements in the storytelling. They would continue to add the volumes of the graphic novel well into 2003.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Raiteri|first=Steve|date=January 2003|title=Koike, Kazuo & Goseki Kojima. Lone Wolf and Cub. Vol. 22: Heaven and Earth |journal=Library Journal|volume=128|page=84|via=Gale in Context}}</ref>

==Influence==
''Lone Wolf and Cub'' is considered to be among the most influential manga ever created, having inspired numerous artists, animators, and filmmakers across the world,<ref name="animenation">{{cite news |title=Ask John: Why Isn't there any Lone Wolf & Cub Anime? |url=https://www.animenation.net/blog/ask-john-why-isnt-there-any-lone-wolf-cub-anime/ |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=AnimeNation |date=June 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722092425/https://www.animenation.net/blog/ask-john-why-isnt-there-any-lone-wolf-cub-anime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as creating the "Lone Wolf and Cub" trope.<ref name="mashable"/>

''Lone Wolf and Cub'' has influenced American comics, notably Frank Miller in his ''[[Sin City]]'' and ''[[Ronin (comic book series)|Ronin]]'' series.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Meadows|first1=Joel|last2=Marshall|first2=Gary|date=2008|title=Studio Space: The World's Greatest Comic Illustrators At Work|chapter=Frank Miller|location=Berkeley, CA|publisher=[[Image Comics]]|page=189|isbn=978-1-58240-908-5}}</ref> Other examples of artists inspired by it include filmmakers such as [[Hong Kong action cinema]]'s [[John Woo]] when he produced ''[[Heroes Shed No Tears (1986 film)|Heroes Shed No Tears]]'' (1986), American [[comic book]] artists such as [[Justin Jordan]] and [[Mike Kennedy (comics)|Mike Kennedy]], and animators such as Russia's [[Genndy Tartakovsky]].<ref name="animenation"/> Indian comic-book writer [[Suhas Sundar]] acknowledged that he drew some inspiration from ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' to create his ''[[Odayan]]'' comic book series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/warning-graphic-content-inside-211217|title=Warning: Graphic content inside|first=Jhinuk|last=Sen|date=August 25, 2014|website=millenniumpost|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019110118/http://www.millenniumpost.in/warning-graphic-content-inside-211217|url-status=live}}</ref>

Homages to ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' have appeared in many works. Examples include a 1973 television commercial for Momoya chansai seasoning, [[Urusei Yatsura (1981 TV series)|episode 77]] of the anime series ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'' (1983), ''[[Samurai Champloo]]'' episode 22 (2005), ''[[Gintama]]'' episode six (2006), the third season of ''[[Crayon Shin-chan Gaiden]]'' (2017) subtitled "Kazokukure Ōkami" ("Lone Wolf and Family"), ''[[Busō Shōjo Machiavellism]]'' episode six (2017), ''[[Hug! Pretty Cure]]'' episode 44 (2018), and ''[[Rick and Morty: The Anime]]'' episode "Samurai & Shogun" (2020).<ref name="animenation"/>

===Lone Wolf and Cub trope===
''Lone Wolf and Cub'' has been cited as the origin for the narrative trope/genre where a man, skilled in violence, protects a child on a journey across a dangerous landscape.<ref name="slashfilm"/><ref name="hollywoodreporter"/><ref name="mashable"/> Known as the Lone Wolf and Cub trope or genre, it has since been used in numerous works, with examples including films such as ''[[Léon: The Professional]]'' (1994), ''[[The Road (2009 film)|The Road]]'' (2009) and ''[[Logan (film)|Logan]]'' (2017), television shows such as ''[[Stranger Things]]'' and ''[[Game of Thrones]];'' and media franchises such as ''[[The Witcher]]'' and ''[[The Last of Us]]''.<ref name="mashable">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Nilofer |title=How 'The Last of Us', 'Stranger Things' and more shows are changing an age old TV trope in a significant way |url=https://me.mashable.com/entertainment/24570/how-the-last-of-us-stranger-things-and-more-shows-are-changing-an-age-old-tv-trope-in-a-significant |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[Mashable]] |date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722083141/https://me.mashable.com/entertainment/24570/how-the-last-of-us-stranger-things-and-more-shows-are-changing-an-age-old-tv-trope-in-a-significant |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tvinsider">{{cite news |last1=Rouse |first1=Isaac |title='The Last of Us' Retrospective: How a Game Propelled a Franchise Into Mainstream Popularity 10 Years Later |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1095758/the-last-of-us-playstation-retrospective-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey/ |access-date=26 July 2023 |work=[[TV Insider]] |date=11 June 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726005436/https://www.tvinsider.com/1095758/the-last-of-us-playstation-retrospective-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Best 90s Movies on Netflix Right Now |url=https://collider.com/best-90s-movies-netflix/#l-eacute-on-the-professional-1994 |access-date=26 July 2023 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=6 March 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726010659/https://collider.com/best-90s-movies-netflix/#l-eacute-on-the-professional-1994 |url-status=live }}</ref>

An early example of the trope that predates ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' itself is [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s 1960s samurai manga and [[anime]] series ''[[Dororo]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurten |first1=Guillermo |title=10 Best Anime Set In The Distant Past |url=https://screenrant.com/best-anime-set-distant-past/ |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=7 October 2022}}</ref> The samurai anime film ''[[Sword of the Stranger]]'' (2007) has been described as "Lone Wolf and Cub" meets ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Daily Stream: Sword Of The Stranger Is Perfect For Fans Of Samurai Movies, Wuxia, And Animation |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1211879/where-to-stream-sword-of-the-stranger/ |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[/Film]] |date=27 February 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722092423/https://www.slashfilm.com/1211879/where-to-stream-sword-of-the-stranger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There are also variations of the Lone Wolf and Cub trope involving a mother and daughter, with examples including films such as ''[[Birds of Prey (2020 film)|Birds of Prey]]'' (2020) and ''[[Gunpowder Milkshake]]'' (2021).<ref name="mashable"/> Other female variations of the trope include the films ''[[Gloria (1980 film)|Gloria]]'' (1980)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kuperman |first1=Ethan |last2=Kesavan |first2=Shilpa |title=Forum Event: Reflecting on the Child in "Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance" (1972) |journal=The Columbia Journal of Asia |date=May 12, 2025 |url=https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/cja/blog/view/688 |access-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> and ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'' (1986).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sherlock |first1=Ben |title=10 Best Lone Wolf & Cub Duos From Movies & TV Shows |url=https://screenrant.com/best-lone-wolf-cub-duos-movies-tv/ |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=25 April 2024}}</ref>

Novelist [[Max Allan Collins]] acknowledged the influence of ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' on his graphic novel ''[[Road to Perdition (comics)|Road to Perdition]]'' (1998). In an interview with the BBC, Collins declared that "''Road to Perdition'' is 'an unabashed homage' to ''Lone Wolf and Cub''".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A832808|title=Road To Perdition|first=Daniel|last=Etherington|date=19 September 2002|website=[[Collective (BBC)|BBC Collective]]|access-date=2008-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002102724/https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A832808|archive-date=2 October 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maxallancollins.com/blog/2019/04/23/my-debt-to-lone-wolf-and-cubs-genius-creator/|title=My Debt to Lone Wolf and Cub's Genius Creator|first=Max Allan|last=Collins|date=23 April 2019|access-date=February 12, 2020|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212211814/http://www.maxallancollins.com/blog/2019/04/23/my-debt-to-lone-wolf-and-cubs-genius-creator/|url-status=live}}</ref> In turn, writer [[Neil Druckmann]] cited ''Road to Perdition'' as a direct influence on ''[[The Last of Us (video game)|The Last of Us]]'' video game (2013) and [[The Last of Us (TV series)|television show]] (2023);<ref name="slashfilm">{{cite news |last1=Schaefer |first1=Sandy |title=How Road To Perdition Helped Shape Joel's Parenting Style In The Last Of Us |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1205645/how-road-to-perdition-helped-shape-joels-parenting-style-in-the-last-of-us/ |access-date=17 July 2023 |work=[[/Film]] |date=21 February 2023 |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717060449/https://www.slashfilm.com/1205645/how-road-to-perdition-helped-shape-joels-parenting-style-in-the-last-of-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Last of Us'' actor [[Pedro Pascal]] cited ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' as the origin of the trope of a man protecting a child on a journey across a dangerous landscape.<ref name="hollywoodreporter">{{cite news |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title=How 'The Last of Us' Plans to Bring the Zombie Genre Back to Life |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-last-of-us-hbo-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey-interview-1235290103/ |access-date=17 July 2023 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=4 January 2023 |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104140120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-last-of-us-hbo-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey-interview-1235290103/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

"[[Wolf and Cub (Person of Interest)|Wolf and Cub]]" is an episode from the first season of the TV series ''[[Person of Interest (TV series)|Person of Interest]]''; the title is assumed to be inspired by ''Lone Wolf and Cub''. Themes of vengeance and being a rōnin are interspersed throughout the episode.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vonder Haar|first1=Pete|title=Person of Interest: Lone "Wolf and Cub"|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/person-of-interest-lone-wolf-and-cub-6383148|website=Houston Press|date=February 10, 2012|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420201302/https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/person-of-interest-lone-wolf-and-cub-6383148|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Couzens|first1=Keysha|title=Person of Interest 1.14 'Wolf and Cub' Review|url=https://www.tvovermind.com/person-of-interest-1-14-wolf-and-cub-review/|website=TV Overmind|date=February 11, 2012|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507220017/https://www.tvovermind.com/person-of-interest-1-14-wolf-and-cub-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Episode 20 of the fifth season of the television series ''[[Bob's Burgers]]'', "[[Hawk & Chick]]", is a parody inspired by ''Lone Wolf and Cub''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/05/17-1/video-bobs-burgers-season-finale-spoofs-lone-wolf-and-cub|title='Bob's Burgers' Season Finale Spoofs 'Lone Wolf and Cub'|first=Scott|last=Green|date=May 17, 2015|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721191838/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/05/17-1/video-bobs-burgers-season-finale-spoofs-lone-wolf-and-cub|url-status=live}}</ref> A follow-up episode, "The Hawkening: Look Who's Hawking Now!" from the show's [[Bob's Burgers (season 10)|tenth season]], features a missing scene that parallels the suppressed episode of the 1973 ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' TV series.

The ''[[Star Wars]]'' streaming series ''[[The Mandalorian]]'' has a premise influenced by ''Lone Wolf and Cub'', with [[The Mandalorian (character)|the titular character]] guarding [[Grogu|an alien child]] from various threats.<ref>[[Jon Favreau|Favreau, Jon]]. {{Cite episode|title=Process|series=Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian|series-link=The Mandalorian#Documentary series|network=[[Disney+]]|date=June 5, 2020|season=1|number=6}}</ref> The ''Mandalorian'' spin-off series ''[[The Book of Boba Fett]]'' includes a scene modeled on Daigorō's choice between ball and sword as depicted in ''[[Sword of Vengeance]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tantimedh|first=Adi|date=2022-02-03|title=The Book of Boba Fett Has Lone Wolf and Cub to Thank for E06 Ending|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-book-of-boba-fett-has-lone-wolf-and-cub-to-thank-for-e06-ending/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204065857/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-book-of-boba-fett-has-lone-wolf-and-cub-to-thank-for-e06-ending/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Busch|first=Jenna|date=2022-02-02|title=Easter Eggs You May Have Missed In The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 6|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/755609/easter-eggs-you-may-have-missed-in-the-book-of-boba-fett-episode-6/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=[[/Film]]|language=en-US|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204065907/https://www.slashfilm.com/755609/easter-eggs-you-may-have-missed-in-the-book-of-boba-fett-episode-6/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'' also uses a variation of the trope.<ref name="tvinsider"/>

The Lone Wolf and Cub trope has also been used in numerous video games. Examples include the adaptation ''Kozure Ōkami'' (1987),<ref name="arcade">{{cite web |title=Kodure Ookami - Videogame by Nichibutsu |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8341 |website=[[Killer List of Videogames]] |access-date=22 July 2023 |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612185524/https://www.arcade-museum.com/Videogame/kodure-ookami |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Hanjuku Hero|Hanjuku Hero 4]]'' (2005) by [[Square Enix]],<ref name="animenation"/> ''[[The Witcher (video game series)|The Witcher]]'' series,<ref name="mashable"/> [[Sony]]'s ''The Last of Us''<ref name="hollywoodreporter"/> and ''[[God of War (2018 video game)|God of War]]'' (2018),<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Tito W. |title=Why You Should Watch 'Lone Wolf and Cub' |url=https://comicon.com/2021/04/18/why-you-should-watch-lone-wolf-and-cub/ |access-date=23 May 2025 |work=[[Comicon.com]] |date=April 18, 2021}}</ref> [[Hideo Kojima]]'s ''[[Death Stranding]]'' (2019),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Navarro |first1=Alex |title=Death Stranding Review |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/death-stranding-review/1900-795/ |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=[[Giant Bomb]] |date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107023938/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/death-stranding-review/1900-795/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[FromSoftware]]'s ''[[Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice]]'' (2019).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Samson |first1=Miguel |title=Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Review - Bushido blades and Postured knaves |url=https://www.toomuchgaming.net/blog-news/sekiro-shadows-die-twice-review-bushido-blades-and-postured-knaves |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=Too Much Gaming |date=29 April 2019 |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612185522/https://www.toomuchgaming.net/blog-news/sekiro-shadows-die-twice-review-bushido-blades-and-postured-knaves |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Reception==
In February 2001, ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' won the best comic reprint at the 2000 Squiddy Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-02-08/lone-wolf-and-cub-best-comic-reprint|title=Lone Wolf and Cub best comic reprint|date=February 27, 2001|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104203939/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-02-08/lone-wolf-and-cub-best-comic-reprint|url-status=live}}</ref> The manga received multiple awards at the Annual [[Harvey Awards]]: in 2001, 2002, and 2003, it won three consecutive awards for "Best American Edition of Foreign Material" and in April 2002, the manga won the "Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.harveyawards.com/en-us/winners/previous-winners.html|title=Previous Winners|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=Harvey Awards|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031072851/https://www.harveyawards.com/en-us/winners/previous-winners.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-04-30/lone-wolf-and-cub-wins-harvey-award|title=Lone Wolf and Cub wins Harvey Award|date=April 30, 2001|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417155039/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-04-30/lone-wolf-and-cub-wins-harvey-award|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-02-27/mangas-nominated-for-harvey-awards|title=Mangas Nominated for Harvey Awards|date=February 27, 2001|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=November 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113220614/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-02-27/mangas-nominated-for-harvey-awards|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-03-07/harvey-award-nominees-announced|title=Harvey Award Nominees Announced|date=March 7, 2002|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104215530/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-03-07/harvey-award-nominees-announced|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Koulikov|first1=Mikhail|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-30/manga-shut-out-at-harvey-awards|title=Manga Shut Out at Harvey Awards|date=September 30, 2008|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=March 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302025451/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-30/manga-shut-out-at-harvey-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>  In July 2001, the ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' manga won an [[Eisner Award]] in the category of [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material|Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material]] and at the 2004 Eisner Awards, Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima were inducted into the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-07-25/lone-wolf-and-cub-manga-wins-eisner|title=Lone Wolf And Cub Manga Wins Eisner|date=July 25, 2001|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 12, 2024|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417123503/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-07-25/lone-wolf-and-cub-manga-wins-eisner|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-07-24/eisner-awards|title=Eisner Awards|date=July 24, 2001|access-date=June 11, 2024|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207141710/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-07-24/eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.darkhorse.com/search/search.php?sstring=lone+wolf+cub Dark Horse Comics: ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' manga]
* {{KLOV game|8341|Kodure Ookami}}
* [https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4287-samurai-and-son-the-lone-wolf-and-cub-saga ''Samurai and Son: The Lone Wolf and Cub Saga''] an essay by [[Patrick Macias]] at the [[Criterion Collection]]
* {{Anime News Network|manga|1329}}
* Shawn O'Rourke's series of articles on the ''Lone Wolf and Cub'' tales at [[PopMatters]]: ([https://www.popmatters.com/116502-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-1-history-and-influences-2496129407.html 1]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/118105-revenge-in-the-epic-narrative-tradition-2496143918.html 2]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/121135-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-3-artwork-and-swordplay-2496168275.html 3]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/122994-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-4-ogami-itto-and-the-rejection-of-bushido-2496185330.html 4]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/124140-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-5-half-mat-one-mat-a-fistful-of-rice-2496198109.html 5]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/125263-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-6-cloud-dragon-wind-tiger-2496197130.html 6]) ([https://www.popmatters.com/128500-lone-wolf-and-cub-part-7-a-wall-of-swords-2496165887.html 7])

{{Lone Wolf and Cub}}
{{Manga Action}}

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