Kite (1998)

Kite is an anime film released in 1998. The film was originally released as a 2 part OVA but was later edited into one feature length film. There have been multiple versions released in the USA, varying in explicit content. The version I have currently is the 16+ version with graphic sex scenes removed, just one clip of brief nudity. The 18+ version, which I used to have, was the original Japanese cut of it. The original cut contained graphic sex and rape scenes, including one of the the characters who was depicted as a child at the time. Honestly those scenes not being included make the film much more comfortable to watch. All versions released include the graphic violence.

Kite is sited as an anime cult classic, and has influenced on mainstream movies such as the Kill Bill series by Quentin Tarantino. The film is a gritty violent crime film. The two main characters are assassins who were kidnapped as kids and groomed to be brutal killers. The film plays out as a very violent crime drama that has a twist at then end. The two main characters are Sawa and Oburi, who is a young girl and boy who were both taken by Akai, and Kanie as children and groomed to be emotionless killers. The film dives mostly into Sawa's background, about her parents being brutally murdered, and then being taken in by Akai and Kanie. The film is disturbing, in subject matter as well as in it's graphic violence. Definitely a high action film, with fast paced action and blood and explosions pretty much constantly.

The animation is classic anime, with a look consistent with the time. This is a film that has become a cult classic. The film looks good, and has a great dark gritty tone to it. With the short run time of only 45 min (60 min for the unedited version) there isn't much time to get bored, and honestly the story is pretty well developed considering the short amount of time it is given to do so. I would say that if you are into action this film is perfect because of that 45 min run time, it is mostly spent on very graphic violent fight scenes, with the rest being background story development, and drama among the characters. Critically this is a high ranking film, and one sought after among collectors.

Would I recommend this film? Not to everyone, I would not recommend this film to anyone under 18, not even the 16 plus version. The violent is extreme, and even with the sex scenes cut out, they are still suggested, and I am sorry I wouldn't recommend anyone who isn't very mature and able to handle such subjects to watch it. I mean what happens to young Sawa is important because it is how she was groomed to be a heartless killer, but it isn't something that needs to be seen, and just the suggestion in the 16+ version is more than enough honestly. Yes, this is a good film, not as good as say Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll, Akira, Ghost In The Shell, or other anime classics, but it is definitely still a good film and deserves its cult classic status. I don't think that everyone needs to see this film, but if you are into violent crime films, then this one is worth watching. But be forewarned some of the subject matter is a bit intense and a bit graphic. But over all a great film and I would recommend it to the right people. So if you find a copy view at your own risk, if you watch the version on Netflix it is the watered down version and probably not a bad place to start if you want to watch it. There is also a sequel which can also be found on Netflix.