Official Collection
Series Freshness: Jan 30, 2026

The Drifter Series

An action focused series starring Akira Kobayashi that ran parallel to The Rambler series.

5Movies
★ 3.5 Avg Rating

Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis

The The Drifter Series has evolved significantly over a span of 1 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 5 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.

The "Series" Benchmark: 0.7/10

The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 0.7. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," The Drifter Series has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with The Guitarist from the Sea standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.

Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal

Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the The Drifter Series. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.

Timeline & Watch Order

We recommend watching the The Drifter Series franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.

1
The Guitarist from the Sea

The Guitarist from the Sea

1960★ 3.5FLOP

Plans to build a touristic hot spring on the island of Izu Oshima run afoul of the Kobe yakuza group, which intends to use the island as a relay base for drug s...

2
Wind of Volcano

Wind of Volcano

1960★ NRPENDING

An airplane loaded with 50 million yen for the reconstruction of Amami Oshima crashes en route from Kagoshima, Kyushu, but neither the money nor the remains of ...

3
The Rambler on a Pearl Farm

The Rambler on a Pearl Farm

1960★ NRPENDING

Set in Uwajima, Shikoku, an action film starring Akira Kobayashi who uncovers evils related to pearl farming....

4
The Angry Rambler

The Angry Rambler

1960★ NRPENDING

Fourth installment of Nikkatsu's "Drifter" series, with Kobayashi Akira....

5
Rambling in the Wind

Rambling in the Wind

1961★ NRPENDING

Set in Toyohashi, the fifth and final installment of the ‘The Wanderer’ series sees Kobayashi Akira delve into the mystery of a friend's death....

Common Questions about The Drifter Series

How many movies are in the The Drifter Series?

There are currently 5 movies in the The Drifter Series, starting from The Guitarist from the Sea to the latest release, Rambling in the Wind.

What is the best order to watch the The Drifter Series?

The best way to watch the The Drifter Series is usually in release order: starting with The Guitarist from the Sea and ending with Rambling in the Wind. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.

Which is the highest-rated movie in the The Drifter Series?

According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for The Guitarist from the Sea in this franchise.