Ichi the Killer (film)

Ichi the Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTakashi Miike
Screenplay bySakichi Satō
Based onIchi the Killer
by Hideo Yamamoto
Produced by
  • Akiko Funatsu
  • Dai Miyazaki
Starring
CinematographyHideo Yamamoto
Edited byYasushi Shimamura
Music by
Distributed byMedia Blasters (USA)
Release dates
  • 14 September 2001 (2001-09-14) (TIFF)
  • 22 December 2001 (2001-12-22) (Japan)
Running time
130 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Ichi the Killer (Japanese: 殺し屋1, romanizedKoroshiya Ichi, lit.'Hitman One') is a 2001 Japanese horror yakuza film directed by Takashi Miike, written by Sakichi Sato, and starring Tadanobu Asano and Nao Omori. Based on Hideo Yamamoto's manga series of the same name, its plot follows a psychologically damaged man who is manipulated into assaulting or killing rival faction members of feuding yakuza gangs while being pursued by a sadomasochistic enforcer.

The film has garnered controversy due to its graphic depictions of violence and cruelty and was subject to censorship in several countries.[2]

  1. ^ "Ichi the Killer (18) (CUT)". British Board of Film Classification. 11 December 2001. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ^ "[Butcher Block] Takashi Miike's Extreme Gorefest 'Ichi the Killer'". 4 September 2018.