A Japanese detective from the same neighborhood as local thieves, shopkeepers, and the Yakuza teams up with a newly landed Korean detective to close a case that’s been causing them both issues.
The fourth film in The Roundup franchise is only mildly connected to the other three films, making it an easy one to jump into without having seen what came before. Written by Tatsuro Mishima and Eiji Uchida with Uchida directing, Tokyo Burst: Crime City is a strong contender for the most headbutts in a film, at least this year. That being said, the story is interesting and fun to watch but does suffer from a few pacing issues that slow the process down and could have been edited out either at scripting stage or in the editing booth. Besides those slower pacing scenes, the film is solid in terms of action and excitement, giving the viewer plenty to enjoy as the two leads create chaos while looking for a criminal and stumbling upon a corruption scheme. Overall, the story works, and the direction is dynamic, so the film easily becomes a great entry in an already fantastic franchise.
The cast here is exactly what you’d want (well, except for the return of the usual Roundup lead Ma dong-seok who is missed here), with two energetic men who originally butt heads but eventually become true partners which is cliche but works. Playing the Japanese detective Aiba is Sota Fukushi who gives a performance full of character, zany, and sometimes a bit over the top, but he makes it work. Joining him as his Korean partner Cho, Uhm Ki-joon balances out the energy while having his own. The two of them are an odd pairing that works while each giving very different performances. The rest of the cast doesn’t get as much time to make an impression, but most of them stand along with the leads more than fine. Overall, the acting works for the type of film this is with a few cartoony moments that can easily be either forgotten or forgiven.
The work by cinematographer Hideo Yamamoto creates an extra layer to the film, giving the Tokyo neighborhood represented its own personality while not falling into cliches. The work is solid, showing what needs to be seen, allowing the viewer to watch the fights without too much shaky cam, and giving what the story needs when it needs it. The editing works great with this, helping give life to the sequences and boost that dynamism.
Tokyo Bust: Crime City is both a solid standalone action film and a good entry into The Roundup franchise that should be experienced on the big screen. The film is fun, the fights hit hard, the karaoke is ackward (as it should be), and the performances work. It’s a solid film all around, giving viewers a glimpse into a potentially expended universe for the franchise.
Fantasia 2026 runs from July 16th to August 2nd, 2026