*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.
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.