Product Description

Sawa may seem innocent and naïve, but don't be fooled. She's a cold-blooded killer, and if you're on the wrong side of the law, you may be her next target. Not content to just watch as the imperfect justice system frees more criminals each day, a detective trained Sawa to be his instrument of justice. Now she will go to any length to execute her targets.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46389 in DVD
• Brand: Media Blasters
• Released on: 2000-03-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 45 minutes

Amazon.com
In Japan cartoons and animated features do not encompass fantasy or slapstick personification of animals, but instead delve into the wondrous serendipity and the dark purposes of human interaction. Kite is a prime example of their expression within this genre. With its darkly disturbing La Femme Nikita-style story line, this film begs to be more than the 45-minute event that it is, rivaling the live-action works of Luc Besson and even John Woo. The story involves a college student, Sawa, whose family was brutally murdered. Sawa is adopted by Mr. Akai, the police detective investigating the case, and a twist occurs when we find that Mr. Akai has trained and utilized Sawa as an assassinating angel of vengeance to eliminate the undesirables able to slip through the net of the legal system. In the undertaking of one of these missions, Sawa meets Oburi, another orphan trained like her for the same purpose, and she is placed in the classic position of having to make a life-changing decision. Insights into the truth about Sawa's past are revealed through abstract flashbacks as the film progresses at maniacally breakneck speed, with intense gun battles and blood and guts galore. Kite is exquisitely animated by Yasuomi Umetsu and accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack composed by An Fu, and the only flaw is that it could have been expanded by exploring more of its profound emotional revelations. --Hector V. Barrientos-Bullock

Customer Reviews

Not for everyone, but damn good
If you're the squeamish type, let me just get this out of the way right now: this show has an above-average amount of gore in it. This is definitely a warning directed towards any parents out there thinking that because this is a cartoon that it is appropriate for children. Think again. That being said:

This is a fantastic anime. I'd classify it in a category such as extreme-action, as the assassinations and various other action sequences are incredibly violent. There's some seriously awesome gunplay here, something most John Woo fans will love.

The part that sold me on the five star rating though is the fact that throughout the film there's an actual story at work, and a good one at that. This is definitely something refreshing for an action-oriented anime.

The DVD version I bought was very well done, with an extremely clear picture and some unbelievable sound. I found myself backing up through the action sequences to watch them again, cranking the volume.

If you like action-oriented anime, especially ones with actual engaging storylines, give Kite a whirl.

(Uncut version) Uh Oh!
Okay, I saw Kite (Ki-tay) a couple years ago. Me and a friend rented it from Block Butser, this was the (Cut version), we both liked it. Returned it, and forgot about it for a couple years.

So, I decided this year that it was good enough to add to my collection. I had my mom call Fry's Electronics to see if they carried it. They did, she asked what section it was in, the guy said in the adult.

She gave me weird looks the whole night, but I assured her that it was adult because of sever violence and gore. After she had bought it for me, I noticed the cover changed.

"Kite Summery"

The uncut version was filled with extreme sexual/rape scenes, and disturbing content. The violence didn't bother me, but all the child molestation scenes were too much. (If you are not bothered by graphic sexual/rape situations then go ahead and by it, otherwise, 21 and up.)

Besides that, the animation was beautiful. The voices very well done, giving emotion to the characters. And made you believe you were there inside the movie.

Terrific movie integrating true reflections human complexity
I have seen the original Japanese uncut version, which, since it's from Japan, contains much more sexual and gore content.

But don't be confused. This is not some cheap porno cartoon. The movie itself has a very twisted, but deep and many sad parts. The creator here has a movie that will really intrigue you as you watch this movie.

It's much deeper than an action movie. Tons of human emotions are involved.

Highly recommended for Anime Fans who are Adults. It's not appropriate for children.