Sweet Revenge (1977) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Kiriko's unresolved grief over Masao's conviction shapes her choices when a later murder case gives her a chance to help another accused person.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Refused Defense

Masao is arrested for Kiku Watanabe's robbery and murder while insisting he is innocent. Kiriko seeks Otsuka's help, but he refuses, and Keiichi Abe's attempt to help does not prevent Masao's conviction.

Key Events

• Masao Arrested — Masao is arrested for the robbery and murder of moneylender Kiku Watanabe. Characters: Masao Yanagida, Kiku Watanabe Location: Unspecified
• Masao Maintains His Innocence — Masao insists he did not commit the crime, although the evidence appears convincing. Characters: Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Kiriko Seeks Otsuka — Kiriko travels to Tokyo and begs Otsuka to defend Masao. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Kinzo Otsuka Location: Tokyo
• Otsuka Refuses the Case — Otsuka declines, citing his workload and the high cost. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Kinzo Otsuka Location: Tokyo
• Abe Tries to Help — Journalist Keiichi Abe tries to help with Masao's case. Characters: Keiichi Abe, Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Masao Is Convicted — Masao is convicted despite insisting he is innocent. Characters: Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified

A Death Without Appeal

Masao dies in prison while his appeal is pending. Kiriko is left with the knowledge that her brother died branded a murderer.

Key Events

• Masao Dies in Prison — Masao dies in prison while his appeal is pending. Characters: Masao Yanagida Location: Prison
• Kiriko Bears the Loss — Kiriko is left knowing her brother died branded a murderer. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified

The Left-Handed Clue

Years later, Otsuka studies Masao's case records and finds inconsistencies in the wounds. He concludes that the actual killer was left-handed, as a hotel manager is arrested for Kenji Sugiura's murder.

Key Events

• Otsuka Reopens the Case — Years later, Otsuka studies the records from Masao's case. Characters: Kinzo Otsuka, Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Wounds Suggest a Left-Handed Killer — Otsuka finds inconsistencies in the wounds and concludes the killer was left-handed. Characters: Kinzo Otsuka, Masao Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Manager Arrested for Sugiura Murder — A hotel manager is arrested for Kenji Sugiura's murder; Kiriko was at the scene. Characters: Kenji Sugiura, Kiriko Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Kiriko Conceals What She Saw — Kiriko denies knowing the manager and hides what she saw and a key lighter. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida Location: Unspecified

The Hidden Lighter

Kiriko conceals what she saw at the scene and a key lighter, despite having promised to testify for the manager. Otsuka connects the murders and hopes the lighter can help the manager and illuminate Masao's case.

Key Events

• Otsuka Connects the Murders — Otsuka believes the two murders were committed by the same left-handed person. Characters: Kinzo Otsuka, Masao Yanagida, Kenji Sugiura Location: Unspecified
• Abe Challenges Kiriko's Silence — Abe warns Kiriko that her silence could condemn another innocent person. Characters: Keiichi Abe, Kiriko Yanagida Location: Unspecified
• Kiriko Agrees to Help — After Otsuka pleads with her, Kiriko agrees to give him the lighter and testify. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Kinzo Otsuka Location: Unspecified

An Unresolved Accusation

Abe warns Kiriko that her silence could condemn another innocent person, and she agrees to provide the lighter and testify. She later accuses Otsuka before the prosecutor, and the transcript ends with the manager's case and Otsuka's consequences uncertain.

Key Events

• Kiriko Accuses Otsuka — Kiriko tells the prosecutor Otsuka pressured her to lie and sexually assaulted her. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Kinzo Otsuka, Prosecutor Location: Unspecified
• Otsuka Does Not Defend Himself — When confronted with Kiriko's account, Otsuka offers no defense. Characters: Kinzo Otsuka, Prosecutor Location: Unspecified
• Outcome Remains Uncertain — After weeks without news of Kiriko, the manager's case and Otsuka's consequences remain unresolved. Characters: Kiriko Yanagida, Kinzo Otsuka Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Masao's Arrest — Masao is accused in the robbery and murder of Kiku Watanabe while maintaining his innocence.
  • Convincing Evidence — The evidence against Masao appears convincing despite his insistence that he is innocent.
  • Kiku Murder Case — The accusation against Masao concerns the robbery and murder of moneylender Kiku Watanabe.
• Kiriko Seeks Counsel — Kiriko travels to Tokyo to ask renowned attorney Kinzo Otsuka to defend her brother.
  • Plea to Otsuka — Kiriko begs Otsuka to take Masao's case.
  • Refusal and Cost — Otsuka refuses, citing his workload and the high cost.
• Masao's Tragic End — Masao is convicted and dies in prison while his appeal is pending.
  • Abe Tries Helping — Journalist Keiichi Abe tries to help with Masao's case.
  • Kiriko's Grief — Kiriko is left knowing Masao died branded a murderer.
• A Case Reopened — Years later, Otsuka studies the old case and identifies evidence that points toward a left-handed killer.
  • Wound Inconsistencies — Otsuka finds inconsistencies in the wounds described in the case records.
  • Left-Handed Killer — Otsuka concludes that the actual killer was left-handed.
• The Hidden Witness — A hotel manager is arrested for Kenji Sugiura's murder, while Kiriko conceals what she saw at the scene.
  • Concealed Lighter — Kiriko denies knowing the manager and hides a key lighter.
  • Linked Murders — Otsuka believes the Sugiura murder and the earlier murder share a left-handed killer.
• Kiriko Changes Course — Abe and Otsuka urge Kiriko to help the manager, and she eventually agrees to provide the lighter and testify.
  • Abe's Warning — Abe tells Kiriko her silence could condemn another innocent person.
  • Promise to Testify — Kiriko agrees to give Otsuka the lighter and testify.
• Accusation and Uncertainty — Kiriko accuses Otsuka before the prosecutor, leaving the consequences and the manager's case unresolved.
  • Written Account — Kiriko says Otsuka pressured her to give false testimony and sexually assaulted her.
  • Unresolved Outcome — Otsuka offers no defense, and the transcript ends after weeks without news of Kiriko.

Directed by

Katsumi Nishikawa

Key Cast

• Momoe Yamaguchi — Kiriko Yanagida
• Tomokazu Miura — Keiichi Abe
• Rentaro Mikuni — Kinzo Otsuka
• Hiroshi Sekiguchi — Masao Yanagida
• Haruko Katō — Yoshiko Otsuka