Unlike similar films, The Wolves is more methodically paced. One can describe the film as almost a meditation on what it means to be a yakuza. Iwahashi's prime motivation for not seeking revenge for the death of his boss is his concept of honor, loyalty to the code of being a yakuza. Tsutomo, the gangster in love with the dead mobster's daughter states that his code of honor is based on his being human. Sasaki, finally confronting Iwahashi, declares his goal to be an animal. The title is put into focus as the celebrated code of honor is set aside for self-gratification, the animal instinct replacing humanity.

What also makes The Wolves unusual are some of the visual choices made by Gosha. Often characters are partial obscured by by wooden slates or a glass window distorts their features. At one point, when Iwahashi and Sasaki have their final duel, they are seen in the background in silence, while the foreground is dominated by a musician playing a stringed instrument. There are also some unusual musical choices for what is essentially a period film, with the more traditional music electrified, as if redone by Duane Eddy. If surf style Japanese music wasn't enough, some of Masaru Sato's music is totally abstract percussion. Filmed in northern Japan, in a relatively isolated area by the sea also provides a contrast with the more traditionally urban based yakuza films.

In other ways, Gosha breaks from genre traditions. The women are as murderous, perhaps more so than the men, especially a pair of women who work as a team. In addition to the amped up violence, there is more sex and partial nudity. The effect is as if Gosha was personally attacking the traditions of Toho Comany's past, particularly the period films by Kurosawa. Tatsuya Nakadai mostly glowers through the two hours plus running time, at least until it's time for action. Not having seen any other films by Gosha, I can't say for sure if The Wolves is the best place to start. What I can say is that I am intrigued enough to see more by this lesser known filmmaker.