Ichi the Killer (manga) explained

Ichi the Killer
Ja Kanji:殺し屋１
Ja Romaji:Koroshiya Ichi
Ichi
Type:manga
Author:Hideo Yamamoto
Publisher:Shogakukan
Magazine:Weekly Young Sunday
Demographic:Seinen
Published:1993
Volumes:1
Type:manga
Author:Hideo Yamamoto
Publisher:Shogakukan
Magazine:Weekly Young Sunday
Demographic:Seinen
First:1998
Last:2001
Volumes:10
Volume List:List of Ichi the Killer volumes
Type:ova
Ichi the Killer: Episode 0
Director:Shinji Ishihira
Producer:Yoshinori Chiba
Music:Yui Takase
Studio:AIC
Released:September 27, 2002
Runtime:50 minutes
Live action films
Content:
  • Ichi the Killer (2001)
  • 1-Ichi (2003)

is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hideo Yamamoto. A first series, titled Ichi, was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Sunday in 1993; Ichi the Killer was serialized in the same magazine from 1998 to 2001, with its chapters collected in ten tankōbon volumes. The series revolves around Ichi, a psychologically troubled killing machine, and his confrontation with the yakuza of Kabukichō, Shinjuku.

In 2001, the manga was adapted into a live-action film directed by Takashi Miike. A second live-action film, 1-Ichi, directed by Masahito Tanno, was released in Japan in 2003. A prequel original video animation (OVA), titled Ichi the Killer: Episode 0, animated by AIC, was released in Japan in 2002. The OVA was licensed in North America by Central Park Media and in Australia and New Zealand by Siren Visual.

Plot

Using Ichi as a tool, the "Old Geezer" plots to kill the Anjo yakuza family leader, Yoshio Anjo, and steal his money. With Anjo's death, his top yakuza, Masao Kakihara, sets out to find his leader's murderer; Kakihara searches for Ichi, while the younger man effortlessly kills off the remaining Anjo family members. This cycle of killing and searching leads the two closer together, revealing Ichi's psychological manipulation and Kakihara's obsession of pain and torture. When the two finally meet, they confront their deepest and most suppressed desires, resulting in Ichi's recovery and Kakihara's demise.

Characters

/
  • A psychologically and emotionally disturbed young man, to the point where he acts as a child living in an adult's body. When faced with a confrontation, Ichi bursts into tears and breaks down emotionally. Even with his cowardly personality, Ichi has trained extensively in martial arts. With this training, a concealed blade in his left boot, and a psychological kill switch, Ichi turns into a ruthless killer; hunting down yakuza with a streak for sadism.
    A yakuza boss and Ichi's archenemy. He is tired of everything in life and lives to inflict pain, both on those around him as well as himself. His most notable characteristics are the deep gashes on his cheeks which allow him to open his mouth to ridiculous levels, akin to that of a snake, and which are subsequently held together by piercings. He lives his life for sadomasochism.
  • His real name is unknown. The mastermind behind the unrest in the Anjo family, as well as the puppet master forcing Ichi to kill. He claims to have gained his aged features through plastic surgery and to still be in his early 30's. He has an extremely muscular physique due to abusing steroids.
  • The head of the Anjo family. His murder, which is first disguised as a disappearance, leads Kakihara to search for Ichi.
  • A member of the Old Geezer's group whose primary weapons are firearms.
  • /
  • An excommunicated member of the Anjo family and a current member of the Old Geezer's group, Inoue is also a heroin addict that has undergone plastic surgery to remain hidden in Shinjuku.
    A member of the Funaki yakuza family. He is accused of kidnapping Anjo family's leader. He is bedridden by the resulting torture and is convinced by the Old Geezer's group to employ them to eliminate Kakihara.
  • Anjo family's hitman and one of Kakihara's closest henchmen. He exhibits a fear similar to Ichi's and desires to prove himself. He is also Takeshi's father.
  • A hostess and one of Kakihara's friends. She assists Kakihara in locating members of the Old Geezer's group. She is eventually revealed to be assisting the Old Geezer and is eventually killed by Ichi as his last target.
  • A girl from Ichi's first year in high school. When trying to save Ichi from bullies, she was ostracized and raped.
  • Twin brothers and former members of the Ato yakuza family, recruited by Kakihara, who was also a member of the Ato family. The twins as competitive as they are sadistic, often resulting in shows of one-upmanship fatal to others. Jiro has inhuman strength, while Saburo is good with a short knife.
  • Shuji's son. He witnesses Ichi crying after his murders. He is also Ichi's successor as the next "killing machine" manipulated by the Old Geezer.

    • Media

    Manga

    Written and illustrated Hideo Yamamoto, Ichi the Killer was preceded by a short series, titled, which was published in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Sunday in 1993, and its chapters were collected in a single tankōbon volume, released on August 5, 1993.[1] [2] Ichi the Killer was serialized in the same magazine from 1998 to 2001.[1] Shogakukan collected its chapters in 10 tankōbon volumes, released from June 5, 1998,[3] to July 5, 2001.[4] Shogakukan republished the series in five bunkoban volumes, released from April 14 to August 11, 2007.[5] [6] A five-volume shinsōban edition was released by Shogakukan between February 27 and June 30, 2015.[7] [8]

    Live action films

    See main article: 1-Ichi. A live action film adaptation, directed by Takashi Miike, premiered in Japan on December 22, 2001.[9] A direct-to-video live action prequel film, titled 1-Ichi, directed by Masato Tanno, was released on January 24, 2003.[10]

    Original video animation

    A prequel original video animation (OVA) by AIC, titled, was released on VHS and DVD on September 27, 2002.[11]

    In North America, the OVA was licensed by Central Park Media and released on DVD on September 21, 2004.[12] [13] It was licensed in Australia and New Zealand by Siren Visual and released on February 21, 2005.[14]

    Reception

    Tomo Machiyama from Pulp included the series on the "Most Hellish (Untranslated) Manga....ever!!!" list. Machiyama, noting the gruesome and violent content of the series commented: "No wonder this comic was banned in some prefectures, but actually this story, by the creator of PULPs very own Voyeurs, Inc., is a really profound existentialist story. In peaceful consumerist society, how do we make sure we are alive?".[15]

    Chris Beveridge from AnimeOnDVD called the OVA "an interesting look into the mind and how it deals with violence, pressure and the mix of sex into everything." Beveridge added that the "over the top violence" "doesn't hit the comical level like Natural Born Killers but rather resides in the disturbing level instead". He concluded: "[i]t's violent, it's sexual and it doesn't make any bones about it."[16] Reviewing the OVA, Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network called it "nothing but an excuse to fit as much sex and violence in a 47 minute excursion as possible", adding that there was potential to use the psychological aspects of the story and explore the human mind, but that "[t]hey were too busy satisfying their testosterone levels".[17] Theron Martin from the same website felt that the story is "perfectly believable" and "convince[s] the viewer that Ichi's lethal tendencies didn't come from nowhere" because it follows the "common elements you hear about in the backgrounds of true killers". He dismissed the "substandard animation" as problematic but praised the music of "heavy driving techno themes" that provide an "edgy mood and tone for the series".[18]

    Mike Toole from Anime Jump, commenting the artwork of the OVA, stated: "Its scenery is sparse, its animation jarring and clumsy, its character designs ugly as sin", comparing it to the "drawings of a bored eleven-year-old boy than that of a seasoned animation team", adding, however, that it "feels calculated" and fitting to its "terrifying" and violent world. Toole wrote that the OVA is "like a Cronenberg or De Palma movie, only without any of the subtlety". Toole concluded: "Only hardcore Miike and Ichi devotees will want to own it, but it's certainly worth a look."[19] Chris Feldman from Animation World Network highlighted the writing of the OVA, commenting that "[a]lmost no familiarity with either the manga or movie is required to fully understand what is happening." He added that the OVA would appeal to "anyone looking for an anime that would never get on American TV", commenting that "[a]fter the edit, there wouldn't be enough to fill a half-hour on Adult Swim", and concluded: "for the fans of the movie and manga Ichi the Killer: Episode Zero is a must see".[20]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: ja:ヤングサンデー連載作品年表. http://www.youngsunday.com/rensai/history/table.html. Weekly Young Sunday. Shogakukan. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20060118122952/http://www.youngsunday.com/rensai/history/table.html. January 18, 2006. ja.
    2. Web site: ja:1（イチ） / 1. http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=4091515118. s-book.com. Shogakukan. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20051104111805/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=4091515118. November 4, 2005. ja.
    3. Web site: ja:殺し屋1（イチ） / 1. Koroshiya Ichi / 1. http://skygarden.shogakukan.co.jp/skygarden/owa/solc_dtl?isbn=4091515126. Shogakukan. April 17, 2012. https://archive.today/20130218161235/http://skygarden.shogakukan.co.jp/skygarden/owa/solc_dtl?isbn=4091515126. February 18, 2013. dead.
    4. Web site: ja:殺し屋1（イチ） / 10. Koroshiya Ichi / 10. http://skygarden.shogakukan.co.jp/skygarden/owa/solc_dtl?isbn=4091521207. Shogakukan. April 17, 2012. https://archive.today/20130218170627/http://skygarden.shogakukan.co.jp/skygarden/owa/solc_dtl?isbn=4091521207. February 18, 2013. dead.
    5. Web site: ja:殺し屋1（イチ）〔小学館文庫〕 1. https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091937315. Shogakukan. January 24, 2022. https://archive.today/20220124085905/https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091937315. January 24, 2022. ja. live.
    6. Web site: ja:殺し屋1（イチ）〔小学館文庫〕 5. https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091937353. Shogakukan. January 24, 2022. https://archive.today/20220124085939/https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091937353. January 24, 2022. ja. live.
    7. Web site: ja:【2月27日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/139507. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 24, 2022. ja. February 27, 2015. August 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806163354/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/139507. live.
    8. Web site: ja:【6月30日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/152163. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 24, 2022. ja. June 30, 2015. August 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210804075604/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/152163. live.
    9. Web site: ja:浅野忠信が来場！『殺し屋1』公開初日に舞台挨拶. https://www.famitsu.com/entertainment/news/2001/12/20/n08.html. Famitsu. January 24, 2022. ja. December 20, 2001. February 6, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050206051111/http://www.famitsu.com/entertainment/news/2001/12/20/n08.html. live.
    10. Web site: ja:１. https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-10-4988707544309. Kinokuniya. January 24, 2022. ja. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124135341/https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-10-4988707544309. live.
    11. Web site: ja:『「殺し屋1」アニメーション EPISODE 0 』DVD・ビデオ. http://www.mediasuits.co.jp/ichi.htm. Media Suits. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20020902153101/http://www.mediasuits.co.jp/ichi.htm. September 2, 2002. ja.
    12. Web site: Koulikov, Mikhail. June 22, 2004. Anime Next Panel Reports. Anime News Network. April 17, 2012. November 8, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121108054806/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2004/anime-next-panel-reports. live.
    13. Web site: CPM to Release Prequel to Ichi the Killer. ICv2. January 24, 2022. June 30, 2004. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124135345/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/5193/cpm-release-prequel-ichi-killer. live.
    14. Web site: Ichi the Killer (Animated Version). Siren Visual. https://web.archive.org/web/20060822092430/http://www.sirenvisual.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=showFilmProduct&catalogueNumber=SVE0365_1. August 22, 2006. April 17, 2012.
    15. Web site: Machiyama. Tomo. The Most Hellish (Untranslated) Manga....ever!!! (Maybe). Pulp. Viz Media. January 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20021002050735/http://www.pulp-mag.com/archives/6.08/feature_tomo.shtml. October 2, 2002. August 2002.
    16. Web site: Beveridge. Chris. Ichi The Killer: Episode Zero (of 1). AnimeOnDVD. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20061101150650/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3228.php. November 1, 2006. September 17, 2004.
    17. Web site: Dong. Bamboo. The Long Crusade - Shelf Life. Anime News Network. January 24, 2022. September 30, 2004. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125174209/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2004-09-30. live.
    18. Web site: Martin. Theron. Ichi The Killer: Episode 0 DVD - Review. Anime News Network. December 28, 2016. March 30, 2005. January 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170108052442/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ichi-the-killer-episode-0/dvd. live.
    19. Web site: Toole. Mike. Ichi the Killer: Episode Zero. Anime Jump. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20060510020603/http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=723. May 10, 2006. February 16, 2006.
    20. Web site: Feldman. Chris. Anime Reviews: Ichi no Go with Elemental Gelade. Animation World Network. January 24, 2022. April 2, 2007. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124135354/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/anime-reviews-ichi-no-go-elemental-gelade. live.

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