Murayama has the best arc in the series compared to the other characters and that's a problem.

As a huge HIGH&LOW fan back in the day and a bit sad that the franchise is over, I want to discuss the problem I have with the series. And that problem is that there isn't any character development (for the most part).

The series was promoted as the story of five gangs that control parts of the city. One would expect, as the story progressed, to know more about them on a personal level but we never do.

We never learn anything about Daruma Ikka's history beyond a superficial level and as for Hyuga the leader he becomes a background character by the final movie. And the same thing can be said about the White Rascals and Rude Boys. We as an audience never shown anything about these characters that would make us connect with them on a personal level.

But the most sad for me is the development of Sannoh Rengokai and expecially Cobra the main character. In the first 2 seasons we learn a little about Cobra's backstory and that he wasn't always this sad depressed man that doesn't trust anybody outside of his friends. And even though by the end he starts to trust others it's never fully. The writers unfortunately drop the ball because it would be more poweful if Cobra became happier and showed him be friends with others outside his gang.

And this is why Murayama has the best character development in the series. In season 1 he is a jerk and only cares about himself and his image as the strongest fighter. But by the end of season 2 and the movies we see Murayama doubt himself and what he stands for and he becomes someone who cares about others not only his friends and tries to change for the better.

It will always leave a bad taste in my mouth how the writers never showed if Murayama was accepted by Sannoh after eveything that happened.