Product Details

• Actors: Konami Yoshida, Scott Bailey, Shane Callahan, Ann Connel, Chuck Denson Jr.
• Directors: Yasuomi Umetsu
• Writers: Yasuomi Umetsu
• Format: Animated, Color, Dubbed, NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Anime Works
• VHS Release Date: March 7, 2000
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1890228591
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,837 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

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

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (Uncut version) Uh Oh!, March 22, 2005

By 

Meimi-chan "Alee" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

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.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific movie integrating true reflections human complexity, March 5, 2004

By 

Optimized_Shopping "Optimized_Shopping" (Las Vegas, NV, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Anime Classic, August 1, 2002

By 

Amanda Earnest (Tampa, Florida) - See all my reviews

I've only been watching anime for close to 5 months, yet I've tried to drown myself in the classics. Kite is the kind of japanimation that makes you realize how truly deep this film genre goes. While the version sold here is only 45 minutes long, I must use the old adage "Quality not quantity." With extreme twists in storyline and incredible imaging, Kite is the kind of film that makes you want to have only more of it. As with any reasonably good anime, the story, while short, causes you to spend a fair amount of time reviewing the story in your mind and the messages laid within it. I must warn future Kite viewers though, that if you're looking to watch an up beat happy ending, humourous saturday morning type of anime, this is not that kind of film. Rather the movie leaves you feeling a bit depleted in spirit. Also you're kind of left hanging, which, I suppose is part of the reason why Kite is such an excellent anime.

--Also, if you watch the film "Mezzoforte" you can catch a glimpse of Sawa (the main character in Kite) passing by in the street.