Ichi the Killer (film)

Ichi the Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Takashi Miike
Screenplay by	Sakichi Satō
Based on	Ichi the Killer by Hideo Yamamoto
Produced by	Akiko Funatsu Dai Miyazaki
Starring	Tadanobu Asano Nao Omori Shinya Tsukamoto Alien Sun Sabu
Cinematography	Hideo Yamamoto
Edited by	Yasushi Shimamura
Music by	Karera Musication Seiichi Yamamoto
Distributed by	Media Blasters (USA)
Release dates	14 September 2001 (2001-09-14) (TIFF) 22 December 2001 (2001-12-22) (Japan)
Running time	130 minutes[1]
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Ichi the Killer (Japanese: 殺し屋１, romanized: Koroshiya 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]