Ichi the Killer (2001)
Takashi Miike's ferociously violent yakuza horror film pits a sadomasochistic enforcer against a psychotic killer in Tokyo's criminal underworld.
Ichi the Killer - Movie Information
- Original Title: 殺し屋1
- Release Year: 2001
- Directed by: Takashi Miike
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Crime, Horror
- Runtime: 2h 9m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, Cantonese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 22, 2001 (Japan), May 30, 2003 (United Kingdom - 18), February 5, 2025 (France - 16)
- Alternative Titles: 殺し屋1 (JP), Ichi The Killer (FR), Koroshiya 1 (US), Ichi - O Assassino (BR), Ічі - убивця (UA), Убийца Ичи (RU), 杀手阿一 (CN), Ichi the killer (ES)
- Production Companies: Omega Project, Omega Micott, Excell Film Agentur
- Production Countries: Japan
Ichi the Killer - Plot
As sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss he comes across Ichi, a repressed and psychotic killer who may be able to inflict levels of pain that Kakihara has only dreamed of.
Ichi the Killer - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the film's relentless intensity:
Love really hurts.
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Ichi the Killer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Takashi Miike
Main Cast
- Tadanobu Asano
- Nao Omori
- Shinya Tsukamoto
- SABU
- Paulyn Sun
- Susumu Terajima
- Shun Sugata
- Toru Tezuka
- Yoshiki Arizono
- Kiyohiko Shibukawa
Writers
- Sakichi Sato
Producers
- Dai Miyazaki
- Akiko Funatsu
Ichi the Killer - FAQs
Where can you stream Ichi the Killer?
Ichi the Killer is available on several platforms in the US. Free options include Tubi TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and Fawesome. Subscription options include Philo, Fandor, Screambox, and Hi-YAH. It is also available to rent or buy on Apple TV.
Is Ichi the Killer based on a manga?
Yes. Ichi the Killer is based on the manga series of the same name by Hideo Yamamoto, serialized in Weekly Young Sunday from 1998 to 2001. Screenwriter Sakichi Sato adapted the source material, condensing its extreme violence and psychological themes into the film's narrative.
Who are the main actors in Ichi the Killer?
The film stars Tadanobu Asano as the sadomasochistic enforcer Kakihara and Nao Omori as the traumatized killer Ichi. The supporting cast includes Shinya Tsukamoto as the manipulative Jijii, SABU as Kaneko, Paulyn Sun as Karen, and Susumu Terajima as Suzuki.
What is the ending of Ichi the Killer explained?
In the finale, Kakihara finally confronts Ichi, seeking the ultimate painful death he has craved. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, suggesting that the entire violent chain of events may have been orchestrated by Jijii, raising questions about free will, manipulation, and whether any character ever truly acted of their own accord.
Who directed Ichi the Killer?
Ichi the Killer was directed by Takashi Miike, the prolific Japanese filmmaker known for his extreme and genre-defying work. Miike is celebrated internationally for films such as Audition, Gozu, and 13 Assassins, and Ichi the Killer remains one of his most notorious and widely discussed works.
What is Ichi the Killer about?
The film follows Kakihara, a sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer searching for his missing boss, who becomes obsessed with Ichi, a psychologically damaged and extraordinarily violent killer. The story explores themes of pain, manipulation, and desire within Tokyo's criminal underworld, blending extreme gore with dark psychological tension.
How long is Ichi the Killer?
Ichi the Killer has a runtime of 129 minutes, approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. Note that some international releases circulate in slightly edited versions with reduced runtimes due to censorship requirements in certain territories.
When was Ichi the Killer first released?
Ichi the Killer had its original theatrical release in Japan on December 22, 2001. It subsequently opened in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2003, with an 18 certificate, and received a French release on February 5, 2025, rated 16.
More About Ichi the Killer
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