The film focuses on the romantic life of Tetsu (Watari), the drifter, and the girls he loves but can never quite bring himself to settle down with. To make matters even more atmospheric, our story is set in a picturesque harbor town. Yoshida is Tetsu's double-crossing rival who pays in the end with his life. Fairly superficial, but the tone isn't particularly light; in fact, it is downright melancholic, which is the picture's salvation. The emphasis on Tetsu never being able to escape his criminal life despite his tender side, the downbeat undercurrent of cynical gang activity amidst the sunset-dappled waves, actually makes this an entertaining sequel. However, Suzuki's irreverent surrealism is replaced by Morinaga's Monet-like impressionism.

Tokyo Drifter tells the story of a drifter named Tetsuya who becomes entangled in a yakuza war after his boss tries to sell their property to the rival gang. Betrayed and forced to go on the run, Tetsuya must navigate the dangerous underworld of Tokyo while staying true to his principles. With its surreal visuals and candy-colored cinematography, Tokyo Drifter is a unique and stylish entry in the yakuza genre.