January 20, 2025 12:33 pm
Anime has its own Matilda, Leon and Norman Stansfield.
Yasuomi Umetsu was already using cinematography in his anime projects in the 90s, but in a completely different way than Shinichiro Watanabe.
It is interesting that they started almost in parallel: in the late 90s, the creator of the anime Kite had worked on animation, for example, Grave of the Fireflies and Akira – and, probably, that is why he paid so much attention to each frame and image.
Within the walls of the Arms and Green Bunny productions, Umetsu composed a crime drama. A few months after Kite, Cowboy Bebop premiered, and its cinematography captivated viewers around the world.
And Kite remained in the shadows, completely unfairly.
What Is Kite About?
A young comedian who has just made it on television is on his way home with a young fan. An elderly neighbor rides in the elevator with them and loudly condemns the behavior of the newly minted star.
The comedian does not pretend to respect his elders – and kicks the woman. Then he gets two bullets from his companion – a hired killer.
Sawa's parents were shot dead four years ago, and she ended up in the care of the cynical officer Akai, who was investigating the double murder. He taught Sawa to pull the trigger for money. Presumably – to rid the city of murderers and corrupt officials.
The appearance of blue-haired Oburi, also an orphan but not as broken, gives her hope for a different life.
Kite Is Reminiscent of Luc Besson's Leon
The law and its double, adults and teenagers, red and blue – Kite is made of contrasts, like a textbook noir. Like the cult movie Leon, to which Yasuomi Umetsu's original anime is most often compared.
The parallel is fair – especially since the connection is somewhat deeper than the similarity between Sawa and Matilda and Akai – with the drug-addicted, sadistic detective Norman Stansfield.
Kite Is for Those Who Are Not Afraid of Hopeless and Cruel Anime
Where Luc Besson covered up the dubious relationship between an adult and a child, Umetsu uses it as a showstopper to emphasize the hopelessness of the adult world.
In the Western edition, the explicit scenes were cut out – but the dynamic between Sawa and Akai is any less creepy without them. The same goes for the title – which makes you think that the girl killer is named Kite.
In fact, it is a kite that is often used in folk festivals as well as in rituals honoring children. Likewise, the main character is at once free and attached to her master, and deadly to those around her.
Anime has its own Matilda, Leon and Norman Stansfield.
Yasuomi Umetsu was already using cinematography in his anime projects in the 90s, but in a completely different way than Shinichiro Watanabe.
It is interesting that they started almost in parallel: in the late 90s, the creator of the anime Kite had worked on animation, for example, Grave of the Fireflies and Akira – and, probably, that is why he paid so much attention to each frame and image.
Within the walls of the Arms and Green Bunny productions, Umetsu composed a crime drama. A few months after Kite, Cowboy Bebop premiered, and its cinematography captivated viewers around the world.
And Kite remained in the shadows, completely unfairly.
What Is Kite About?
A young comedian who has just made it on television is on his way home with a young fan. An elderly neighbor rides in the elevator with them and loudly condemns the behavior of the newly minted star.
The comedian does not pretend to respect his elders – and kicks the woman. Then he gets two bullets from his companion – a hired killer.
Sawa's parents were shot dead four years ago, and she ended up in the care of the cynical officer Akai, who was investigating the double murder. He taught Sawa to pull the trigger for money. Presumably – to rid the city of murderers and corrupt officials.
The appearance of blue-haired Oburi, also an orphan but not as broken, gives her hope for a different life.
Kite Is Reminiscent of Luc Besson's Leon
The law and its double, adults and teenagers, red and blue – Kite is made of contrasts, like a textbook noir. Like the cult movie Leon, to which Yasuomi Umetsu's original anime is most often compared.
The parallel is fair – especially since the connection is somewhat deeper than the similarity between Sawa and Matilda and Akai – with the drug-addicted, sadistic detective Norman Stansfield.
Kite Is for Those Who Are Not Afraid of Hopeless and Cruel Anime
Where Luc Besson covered up the dubious relationship between an adult and a child, Umetsu uses it as a showstopper to emphasize the hopelessness of the adult world.
In the Western edition, the explicit scenes were cut out – but the dynamic between Sawa and Akai is any less creepy without them. The same goes for the title – which makes you think that the girl killer is named Kite.
In fact, it is a kite that is often used in folk festivals as well as in rituals honoring children. Likewise, the main character is at once free and attached to her master, and deadly to those around her.
