christopher-underwood
I realise Ichi hardcore fans were disappointed with this short animated feature that depicts the killer's early years, but I rather enjoyed it. Purists are unhappy with the dollops of SM orientated sex that peppers the film and whilst I can understand that I rather liked the links made with the sex and violence. It may come over a little pat here but it is rare enough that the link is even touched on in most mafia/yakuza movies, when the link is surely undeniable. Some have also criticised the muddy and occasionally ugly animation, but again all seemed well suited to the subject matter. I liked the domestic scenes and the inevitable references to school qualifications and bullying and overall thought that a very decent job had been done. I see no sign of a sequel that would take us into the same time frame as the original live action film and this presumably reflects that not everyone felt as well disposed to this as I.
Scott Baldwin (Meven_Stoffat)
As a fan of Koroshiya 1 (or Ichi the Killer, as the English title is), the I knew this was going to rock. Unfourtanately I was wrong. The story is boring and predictable, it could have been something written in 10 minutes by some high school student Here's what else is wrong: 1. It's way too short, 40 minutes long, and Like ICHI-1 (which I also own and hated), does not advance the story well. Could have been an extra on the IchI The Killer Uncut DVD.2. Too many things in the plot you don't even care about, including pointless sex scenes (EG. Hajime's (Ichi) parents talking, then all of a sudden, random S&M scene!).3. Muddy animation 4. Voice acting is irritatingly terrible. I am an Anime fan, but the acting was stupid. Even the English voice acting sucked.5. Like one person said, It's like a stupid Ichi Fanfiction, just in anime form.6. The music sucks. Ergo, when Ichi accidentally kills the rabbit, instead of suspenseful music you just get lame techno music with some chick writhing as if she's having an orgasm.So avoid this at all costs. It's for your own good.
OUKnight99
*Minor Spoilers Herein*This Japanese Anime begins during Kekihara and Ichi's duel from the film Ichi the Killer (Although i have a feeling that this is drawn in a way that is more similar to the Ichi the Killer Manga than the film...) before flashing back to explain how it was that Ichi became a killer.The story itself begins interesting enough, but the excessive use of nudity (Ichi's parents are big into S&M, as is apparently everyone in Ichi and Kekihara's world) and bizarre cell shading techniques gives this anime an almost childish feeling. The story comes across as rather forced and unrealistic (not unrealistic in the same way that the film was) with Ichi growing up in a school that is more like a prison, coming home to listen to the moans of his parents next door. The low budget is what really hurts this film,and more focus on actual story substance, rather than trying to 'shocking' would have helped this prequel. It's okay, and if you've seen Ichi the Killer you'll have to see this, but i expected a lot more. Hopefully more Ichi the Killer animation (with a bigger) budget will be released. Let's just hope it's better written and better directed.
Toxie2000
This animation is actually based on the manga origins of Ichi the Killer but could still plausibly coincide with the movie. It's well made and VERY GORY. Even worse than the live action because it's animated. Currently this is the only Ichi animation made but more should be coming soon. If you liked the live action movie diffenetly pick this up.
AD
