Wicked City / Yoshiaki Kawajiri / Hiduki Kikuchi

*Original cel of "Makie" shows the traditional Japanese art qualities of "Wicked City" -

*"Makie" - is a Sexy but deadly member of the Black Guard.

= Wicked City（ 妖獣都市）=

1987 (90 min) - Made for Cinema

Video release = Japan Home Video Co. Ltd (1992)

Director and character designer = Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Writer = Hiyuki Kikuchi

Screenplay = Kisei Cho

Art Director = Yuj Kaeda

Music = Osamu Shoji

Two members of the Black Guard, "Makie" and "Renzaburo Taki" must protect "Dr Joseppe Maiyart" and ensure a pact between the Dark World and our World is signed.

...... the fate of humanity is in their hands.

News paper publicity photo

Greatly overlooked (partly because of its "R"rating), "Wicked City" is both Groundbreaking and visually stunning.

Yoshiaki Kawajiri's 1987 Gothic Horror - Sci Fi Anime set new standards in atmospheric animation effects.

The backgounds burn with a realistic blurry glow of natural blue-green light (a trademark of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's work). In particular the way in which light bursts through the blinds of office windows in the film, creates a brilliant realistic feeling. The way the light is represented within the backgound art, strongly influenced the look of "Akira", (as did "Ridley Scott's Blade Runner).

Yoshiaki Kawajiri combines Gothic, 1940's police drama and Science Fiction, which results in the creation of a dark, sensual and moody Anime world.

The film relies on a solid story and beautiful character designs which manage to overshadow the somewhat awkward, wooden and limited animation movement.

*The characters and overall art direction, within "Wicked City" reflect an influence from traditional Japanese art practises, reminiscent of old woodblock prints.

*I rate Yoshiaki Kawajiri as being one of the top 5 Japanese Anime directors and "Wicked City" as being one of my favourite Anime films of All time.

*Yoshiaki Kawajiri also directed "Ninja Scroll" in 1993, which became one of the most popular Anime works available to Western fans at the time, as did "Battle Angel Alita" by Hiroshi Fukutomi.

Cel from "Ninja Scroll"

*In 1993 Tsui Hark (master of the Hong Kong Action film) with Roy Szeto, wrote the screenplay for a fabulous live-action version of "Wicked City" (87 min). The Film was directed by the talented Peter Mak.

The Live-action film features Michele Reis as Makie and Leon Lai as Taki.

*All art work shown is from the collection of Geoffrey Clifton.