Edward C.

Fukuoka’s Underworld: The Last Stronghold of Japan’s Ruthless Yakuza

An investigative record of Fukuoka’s Kudo-kai: The "specially dangerous" Yakuza syndicate that used rocket launchers and grenades to wage war on the Japanese state. Read the gritty chronicle of the war between the city of Fukuoka and the Kudo-kai.

Read the Article

Fukuoka’s Underworld: The Last Stronghold of Japan’s Ruthless Yakuza

The Underground

Descend into the shadows of The Underground. A guide to organized crime, espionage, and the secret tunnels and subcultures hidden beneath the surface.

Port Royal: The Vanishing of the World’s Wickedest City

Port Royal: The Vanishing of the World’s Wickedest City

Discover Port Royal, Jamaica—the "wickedest city on Earth" and the heart of Caribbean piracy. Explore how this notorious port became the home of legendary pirates like Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, and how its lawless society shaped the golden age of piracy.

Próspera: The Silicon Citadel of Neocolonial Ambition

A tech corporation is building a "private city" on the island of Roatán, complete with its own laws and police. Now, they are suing the government of Honduras for $11 billion. Explore the dark reality of this controversial experiment where a company tries to act like a country.

Kabukichō: The Neon Labyrinth and the Shadows of the Yakuza

Step into the Neon Labyrinth. From post-war ashes to the Yakuza’s golden age, discover the gritty history and dangerous allure lurking behind the blinding lights of Kabukichō, Shinjuku.

Tortuga, Haiti: The Birthplace of the Caribbean Pirate Republic

Explore Tortuga, Haiti—the real-life pirate republic that birthed the Brethren of the Coast. Discover how this small Caribbean island became the headquarters of legendary pirates like Henry Morgan and François l'Olonnais, and how its lawless society shaped the golden age of piracy.

Nada Ward, Kobe: The Heart of Japan’s Yakuza Empire

Discover the hidden underworld of Nada Ward, Kobe — the secret headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s most powerful yakuza syndicate. Explore its rise from gambling dens to a criminal empire, its brutal code of loyalty, and how its influence still lingers in modern Japan.

St. Mary’s Island, Madagascar: The Lost Pirate Kingdom of the Indian Ocean

Discover St. Mary’s Island, Madagascar—the real-life pirate republic where legends like Henry Every, William Kidd, and La Buse ruled the Indian Ocean. Explore its lawless history, hidden treasures, and the rise and fall of the world’s most notorious pirate haven.

Rocinha: Inside Rio’s Largest Favela - The Labyrinth of Concrete, Color, and Chaos

Explore Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela, where poverty, violence, and resilience intersect. Discover its origins as a squatter settlement, the daily realities of life in the favela, and the vibrant culture of funk, street art, and community activism.

Nassau: The Republic of Pirates and the Golden Age of Outlaws

Dive into the swashbuckling history of Nassau, Bahamas—the infamous pirate stronghold of the Golden Age. Discover how Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny, and the Flying Gang turned the island into a lawless republic, and how Woodes Rogers brought their reign to a fiery end.

Hacienda Nápoles: Pablo Escobar’s Extravagant Playground and Its Dark Legacy

Step inside Hacienda Nápoles, the opulent private estate of Pablo Escobar, where luxury and violence coexisted. Once a playground for the world’s most notorious drug lord, this sprawling ranch—complete with a private zoo, replica of the Parthenon, and hidden tunnels—was funded by blood money and built on fear.

Little Saint James: The Dark Paradise of Jeffrey Epstein

Step inside the dark and disturbing world of Little Saint James, the private Caribbean island that became the epicenter of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Once a luxurious retreat for the elite, this 72-acre paradise hid a sinister reality: a hub for the sexual exploitation of underage girls, facilitated by Epstein’s wealth, power, and connections.

Neverland Ranch: The Rise and Fall of Michael Jackson’s Fantasy Kingdom

Step inside Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson’s infamous fantasy kingdom where childhood dreams and dark controversies collided. Explore the rise and fall of this private amusement park, from its golden age as a celebrity playground to the scandals that led to its abandonment.

Inside the Stasi Prison of Berlin (Hohenschönhausen): The Architecture of Psychological Terror

Step inside the Stasi’s most feared prison in Berlin, where silence and isolation were turned into psychological weapons. Discover the chilling stories of former inmates, the methods of East Germany’s secret police, and how this Cold War site became a powerful memorial to resilience and truth.