High&Low (stylized as HiGH&LOW) is a Japanese action media franchise centred around the Exile Tribe. Produced by Exile Hiro, the High&Low entertainment project consists of television series, various films and other media, including music, stage productions, live tours, official SNS accounts, mobile games, books, manga, anime, and temporary themed establishments, comprising an all-encompassing fictional universe. In 2016, it grossed 2.7 billion yen and was the 15th-highest-grossing media franchise of Japan that year.
The High&Low franchise started in 2015 with a television drama High&Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D., which was broadcast in October. One of its slogans was that every character in the franchise was a leading character.
Overview
High&Lows story began in a town that was once under the rule of a powerful organization called "Mugen". But after a fight with the enemy they could not crush, the Amamiya Brothers, Mugen suddenly broke apart and became a legend of the past. Afterwards, five new gangs were formed and took control of the area; based on the initials of the five gangs that lead each territory, the town began to be known as the "S.W.O.R.D. Area".
Gangs in the world of High&Low
Mugen Theme Song: Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe - "Mugen Road"
Founded by Kohaku, Tatsuya, and Tsukumo, and later joined by Cobra and Yamato, Mugen was the gang that used to control the area. It disbanded after a fight with the Amamiya Brothers.
The Amamiya Brothers Theme Song: Ace of Spades feat. Hiroomi Tosaka - "Sin"
Masaki and Hiroto Amamiya are the brothers that even the powerful Mugen could not defeat. They have superior martial arts skills that can knock down hundreds of opponents. Their eldest brother, Takeru, disappeared years ago and they were looking for him.
Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad) Theme Song: Doberman Infinity - "Do or Die"
Sannoh Rengokai was led by former Mugen's member Cobra. They took control of the northeastern part of the S.W.O.R.D. Area and strived to protect the citizens of the "Sannoh Shopping Street".
DTC Sannoh Rengokai's member Dan, Tettsu, Chiharu formed a small sub-unit called DTC. They often met in the Itokan Diner and joked together.
White Rascals Theme Song: PKCZ® feat. Exile Shokichi - "Whiteout"
Getting their name from their all white attire, the White Rascals were based in a hip nightclub called "Heaven", which was run by their boss, Rocky. Following the principle of their boss, they fought to protect the women within their area.
Oya Koukou (Oya High School) Theme Song: Doberman Infinity - "Jump Around ∞"
Oya Koukou was the high school where bad boys from all over Japan went to. As many of its graduates became yakuza, it was often considered a reserve force for various gangs.Even the "Housen Killer Corps" Who often fights with Suzuran as the strongest school in Toarushi city, admits that Oyakou is a dangerous school and even admits that Oyakou is no match for a high school student like Housen. This indirectly shows that Housen's fighting strength is below Oya Kou Part Time and is no longer a match for a high school student like Housen.
The Part-time School The Part-Time School gang consisted of bad boys who refused to graduate and continued to fight each other, many of whom were older than 20. Their leader was Murayama.
The Full-time School The Full-Time School was for high school students who went to school to fight. They were led by Todoroki. However, as new students like Fujio Hanaoka came to the school, the equilibrium of Oya Koukou's Full-time School collapsed into various factions that competed for hegemony.
Rude Boys Theme Song: Generations from Exile Tribe - "Run this Town"
Led by Smoky, the Rude Boys consisted of orphans who lived together in the "Nameless Street" as a family. All skillful in the use of Parkour, they formed this army on their own to protect their home.
Daruma Ikka Theme Song: DJ Daruma from PKCZ® - "Voice of Red feat. GS"
Daruma Ikka was led by the menacing Hyuga Norihisa, whose family's gang was defeat by Mugen. Daruma Ikka was a gang of people who hated Mugen and controlled all the rights of festivals in the area. Accompanied by his friend, the Tousetsu Brothers, Ukyo and Sakyo, they gather people who hates the Mugen gang and establish the Daruma Ikka.
Mighty Warriors Theme Song: PKCZ(R) feat. Afrojack, CRAZYBOY, ANARCHY, SWAY, MIGHTY CROWN (MASTA SIMON & SAMI-T)- "Mighty Warriors"
The highly fashionable and musically inclined Mighty Warriors, led by ICE, were a bunch of fierce fighters. Based in the coastal regions near the S.W.O.R.D. Area, they would do anything to accumulate money to achieve their dream of music and fashion.
Kuryu Group Theme Song: Exile the Second - "One Time One Life"
Literally meaning "Nine Dragons", the Kuryu Group is an organization made up of nine yakuza groups The strongest in Japan who controls the dark underbelly of Japan.
Ichigo Milk Theme Song: E-girls - "STRAWBERRY サディスティック"
The female counterpart of Sannoh Rengokai in the Sannoh district. All dressed in pink bosozoku-style jackets, they drove around on their re-modeled bikes.
Chanson The Korean gang who sought to control the S.W.O.R.D. Area and then expanding into the rest of Japan.
Doubt Theme Song: Exile the Second - "ASOBO! feat. Far East Movement"
The vicious gang that kidnapped and sold women, this naturally puts them at odds with the chivalrous White Rascals.
Prison Gang
Theme Song: HONEST BOYZ - "YO!"
The general name for all gangs inside the prisons of the "Rasen Area", which is located near the S.W.O.R.D. Area, there are several gangs in those prisons. Normally, when a street gang member is thrown inside one of those prisons, he would be forced to join one of them in order to protect himself within the dangerous environment. However, Jesse, later known as the "King of the Prison", creates a new gang on his own after he is imprisoned, and very soon his gang becomes the strongest of all. Jesse's gang consists only of people from the same "Little Asia Area" as himself, which ensures their unity remains strong even when "outside" of the prison.
Media Television SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally aired / releasedNetWorkTotal DirectorNotesFirstLastHigh&Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D.110October 22, 2015December 24, 2015Nippon TVSigeaki Kubo210April 17, 2016June 26, 2016High&Low: The DTC111August 11, 2017August 25, 2017Hulu JapanNorihisa HiranumaThe Worst Episode.O16July 18, 2019August 22, 2019Nippon TVSigeaki KuboHigh&Low: The Best Bout18October 3, 2019November 21, 2019A summary of best scenes of the High&Low Series6 from High&Low: The Worst 16November 19, 2020December 24, 2020
Film Film Japan Release Date Director Screenplay byNotesRoad to High&LowMay 7, 2016Sigeaki KuboTeam HI-AXHigh&Low: The MovieJuly 16, 2016Kei Watanabe, Norihisa Hiranuma, Team HI-AXHigh&Low: The Red RainOctober 8, 2016Yūdai YamaguchiYûko Matsuda, Keisuke Makino, Kei Watanabe, Norihisa HiranumaSpin-offHigh&Low: The Movie 2 – End of SkyAugust 19, 2017Sigeaki Kubo, Tsuyoshi NakakukiKei Watanabe, Norihisa Hiranuma, Shōhei Fukuda, Daisuke Kamijô, Team HI-AXHigh&Low: The Movie 3 – Final MissionNovember 11, 2017DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&LowSeptember 28, 2018Sigeaki KuboKei Watanabe, Norihisa Hiranuma, Shōhei Fukuda, Daisuke KamijôSpin-offHigh&Low: The WorstOctober 4, 2019Hiroshi Takahashi, Kei Watanabe, Shoichiro Masumoto, Norihisa HiranumaSpin-offHigh&Low: The Worst XSeptember 9, 2022Norihisa Hiranuma, Daisuke NinomiyaNorihisa Hiranuma, Shoichiro Masumoto, Kei WatanabeSpin-off
Stage TitleYearDirectorLead CastVenueHiGH&LOW -The Prequel-2022Kousaku Noguchi Suzuho Makaze, Hana Jun, Toa Serika, Minato Sakuragi, Hikaru Rukaze, Chiaki Takato Takarazuka Grand Theater, Tokyo Takarazuka TheaterHiGH&LOW -The Sengoku- 2024TEAM GENESISRyota Katayose, Maito Minami, RIKU, Yuria Seo, Itsuki Fujiwara, Yuki Sakurai THEATER MILANO-Za
Anime YearTitle2017High&Low g-sword Animation DVD Special Edition
Game TitleGenreJapan Release DatePublisherDeveloperPlatformsOfficial WebsiteHigh&Low: The Game – Another WorldARPGOctober 28, 2019enishHI-AX & enishiOS/Androidhttps://high-low-thegame.com/
Manga TitleManga ArtistMagazineOriginal runRef.High&Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D.Masami HosokawaBessatsu Shonen Champion2015.vol.11-2016.vol.10.High&Low g-swordClampWeekly Shōnen Magazine2017.vol.16-2017.vol.36&37/2018.vol.43.DTC Original Another StoryAkira HiramotoWeekly Shōnen Magazine2018.09.26-10.03
Book TitlePublisherPublished DateHigh&Low: The BookLDHJuly 19, 2016
Overseas media On 25 November 2025, as part of their 'Magic Vibes Maximized' event, television production company and talent agency GMMTV announced the first official overseas expansion of the High&Low franchise with their series High & Low: Born to Be High in collaboration with the production company Parbdee Taweesuk. Starring 13 of GMMTV's biggest male stars, it is slated to air in 2027. The pilot trailer is available on the GMMTV official YouTube channel.
Music Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales JPNOricon High&Low Original Best Album Released: June 15, 2016 Label: Rhythm Zone Formats: CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray 1
Songs TitleRelease dateArtistRecordNotesRef.Time FliesOctober 12, 2016Ace of Spades ×PKCZ® feat. Hiroomi TosakaTime FliesTheme song for High&Low The Red RainThe Red RainSoundtrack for High&Low The Red RainBreak into the DarkAugust 16, 2017Valentine feat. Rui & AfrojackBreak into the Dark(digital)Soundtrack for High&Low The Movie 3 / Final MissionHigh&Low The Mighty WarriorsOctober 25, 2017Mighty WarriorsHigh&Low The Mighty WarriorsYo!November 7, 2017Honest BoyzYo!(digital)Soundtrack for High&Low The Movie 2 / End of SkyBEPPING SOUND feat. HIROOMI TOSAKAJune 16, 2018BEPPING SOUND feat. HIROOMI TOSAKA(digital)Soundtrack for DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&LowYou & ISeptember 26, 2018Doberman Infinity YOU & ITheme song for DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&LowFuten BoyzOctober 3, 2018Exile ShokichiFuten BoyzSnake PitSeptember 25, 2019Generations from Exile TribeEXPerience GreatnessSoundtrack for High&Low The WorstSwag & PrideOctober 2, 2019The Rampage from Exile TribeSwag & PrideTheme song for High&Low The WorstFired UpSoundtrack for High&Low The WorstOn FireSwayOn Fire(digital)NostalgieOctober 3, 2019Ryuto KazuharaNostalgie(digital)Ain't Afraid To DieOctober 4, 2019Exile The SecondAin't Afraid To Die(digital)Top DownTop Down(digital)Mada TarineeNovember 27, 2019Doberman Infinity We are the one / ZuttoDon'tDecember 4, 2019SaluGifted
Unreleased songs TitleArtistNotesRef.Welcome BackMighty Warriorstraffic lightDTCSoundtrack for DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&LowIIKOTODTC with Tate fue kyōdaiShura BANBAN
Video releases TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsJPNDVDJPNBDHigh&Low The Live Released: March 15, 2017 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: 2DVD, 2Blu-ray11
Tours High&Low The Live (2016)
Events
HiGH&LOW THE BASE 2016.07.05 - 08.31：Ultra Shiodome Paradise NTV×LIVE in SUMMER YOKOHAMA PKCZ×HiGH&LOW PREMIUM LIVE SHOW 2016.08.05：Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse HiGH&LOW THE LAND / HiGH&LOW THE MUSEUM 2017.06.14 - 09.10：Yomiuriland PKCZ®×High&Low Advance Screening Event & PREMIUM LIVE SHOW 2017.11.06 - 11.07：Yokohama Arena PKCZ®×DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&Low Advance Screening Event & Premium Live Show 2018.08.21：Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 1–3 High&Low THE WORST VS THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE Premiere Screening Event & Premium Live Show 2019.09.17 - 09.18：Makuhari Messe High&Low THE WORST VS THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE On-Demand Screening & Premium Live Show 2019.12.26：Yokohama Arena
Others
In June 2016, Exile Tribe's members appeared in NISSIN "CUP NOODLE" new commercial as their characters in the High&Low series.