Who is that you ask? Thats Meiko Kaji, one of the coolest damn actresses ever to grace the silver screen. Around these parts you always here me rant and rave about the Japanese exploitation films of the 70s. Well, before the films went over the deep end into total sexploitation, ala the Pinky Violence films, their was the kick ass films of Meiko Kaji. Most people know here as Lady Snowblood and her music in the Kill Bill series. Beyond the Lady Snowblood films, she also starred in a series of films entitled Female Prisoner Scorpion or known in Japan as Sasori. The exposure of Kaji in America has grown in the last two years. Not only are the previous films available now or soon to be, but a hand ful of others should reach the shores by the end of the year. While starring in one of the Battle without Honor and Humanity films (part of the Yakuza Papers boxset, I also rant and rave about) She was also the lead in a series called Stray Cat Rock (which unfortunately the States have only seen third film released on dvd as of right now).

But that is not the end. 2006 keeps the films coming. Kino International has two more Kinji Fukasaku films set for June including Yakuza Graveyard starring Tetsuya Watari and Meiko Kaji. It has also been released recently that Discotek plans to release Blind Woman's Curse with Kaji as a female yakuza. Then there is my new favorite label, Panik House Entertainment, who hopes to release the Gincho Wanderer series within the next year. The love for Meiko Kaji is not about to stop as here popularity grows larger than ever.

Speaking of Panik House, they show no sign of letting up. After the release of 6 great films from the Pinky Violence era of Japan they have more in the pipe. Not only the series I mentioned above but also the Yoen Dokufuden set of films which I actually know nothing about but can't wait to see, since it has been said that they are the films that started the Pinky Violence era. If all these films weren't enough, they also plan to release the godfather of strangeness with a crazy film entitled Horror of the Malformed Man. Not only have I heard this film is a must see but several different people have compared it as a Japanese counterpart to one of my personal favorite films of the strange, El Topo.

So their you have it. More money for me to waste on dvds. But man, it will be well spent. Sadly not many of the films have release dates yet, which I guess is actually a blessing in disguise for my wallet. I can't wait.