Product Details

• Actors: Yuri Amano, Yôko Asagami, Martin Blacker, Kara Bliss, Jana Brockman
• Directors: Kenji Kodama
• Writers: Tsukasa Hôjô
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Adv Films
• DVD Release Date: June 25, 2002
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000065U1B
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,530 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "City Hunter - Secret Service" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Joe (originally Ryo) Saeba is a bodyguard-for-hire who can pick off an enemy from any distance, dodge bullets, and perform heroic athletic feats--when he's not propositioning every female in the vicinity. (A blow from one of the sledgehammers wielded by his partner Kaori brings him back into line.) This 90-minute stand-alone film from 1996 has him protecting the long-lost daughter of a Latin American politician. It's often difficult to tell where the over-the-top plot involving drug smugglers, paid assassins, a lost diamond mine, and shifting political loyalties leaves off, and the slapstick humor begins. Joe makes Captain Tyler look bright and Happosai in Ranma seem downright genteel, but manga artist Tsukasa Hojo's character has proved extraordinarily durable: City Hunter has been revived in animation periodically since the TV series debuted in 1987, and Jackie Chan played Joe in a 1993 live-action film. Rated 15 Up: Violence, nudity, sexual humor. --Charles Solomon

Product Description
James McGuire's life is so dangerous he has to hire bodyguards for his secret service agents. It doesn't help that his chief agent is actually his long-lost daughter. Luckily for him, Joe Saeba and his sexy assistant Kaori are behind on the rent and need the work! Eighteen years ago, McGuire's life was stolen from him and he was sentenced to rot in jail. But now he's a free man and on his way to saving his country from tyranny. But a dark secret from his past threatens to destroy him and his lovely daughter Anna, who is now an agent with the Japanese secret service. Will he live to rescue his country? Will his resentful daughter learn to love him again? Will Joe finally get some action? Find out the answers in this exciting City Hunter adventure! The City Hunter franchise has generated millions of dollars in revenue worldwide with comic books, movies, a television series, and other merchandise. The City Hunter graphic novel series by Tsukasa Hojo sold millions of copies every week, while the television series scored big ratings all over the world. City Hunter also spawned a hit film starring international movie star Jackie Chan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent City Hunter action, December 13, 2000

By	TTT (Milpitas, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: City Hunter - Secret Service [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The lecherous mokkori/nookie chasing sweeper is back in action. A political figure hires Mr. Saeba to protect Anna (a cute girl who can beat up City Hunter without Kaori's mallets) At first glance the biggest threat to Anna is Saeba. But when assassination attempts, double crosses, kidnappings, and haunting memories come into play, Saeba is the only person who can put an end to the problems (while still trying to score with Anna).

This City Hunter special is just excellent. Possibly my favorite. A good plot. Plenty of humor and drama (without being too corny or depressing). Some cool action. And of course, City Hunter's mokkori attempts and Kaori's mallets of doom. Dub is consistent with the previous CH specials, except it sounds like they changed Falcon's voice.

A couple problems: At one point in my vid I saw some computer pixelizing (darn ADV quality control). And some Falcon's lines won't make much sense unless you know more about him. Other than that, a very enjoyable action flick. My friend, who hates City Hunter, actually liked this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Recommeded for any anime lover., June 29, 2004

By	Simon (Melbourne Australia.) - See all my reviews

I have the City Hunter Series, Movies & Comics and I have seen the Movies & Series in English, Chinese and finally in Japanese. I find that when you watch just the movies as I did at the start, you will be alittle confused especially if you are looking for a lot of detail as some details are cut out like LOTR when they made it into a series.

But if you are after a good action comedy then City Hunter: Secret Service is a keeper. I find somethings you just have to accept as far out facts. Like Kaori (Ryo Partner) who can carry unbelievable amounts of weapons(big ones) and Ryo has the skill to dodge bullets and side step exploding grenades.

The movies like the series (158 episodes) have the right amount of humour and action without sacrificing a story. Remember this is basically a comic book adaptation for kids coming home from school. If you read the Comics and watch the Tv Series. You will find some details that the movies leave out.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not A Diehard Otaku But...., April 24, 2004

By	Pat (Newark, N.J.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: City Hunter - Secret Service [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Let me begin by saying I am not a diehard otaku. I'm a casual viewer who prefers watching english dubs over subtitles, and don't go into hyperbolic shock if every little syllabal isn't pronounced correctly. I am however, a big fan of animation (been watching all my life practcally); and I've just recently began watching japanese animation. I've only watched a few titles thus far, but so far this has to be one of my favorites. Maybe because I know I'll never see anything like this on U.S. television. Joe (Ryo as he is known in the original version)
Saeba is a perverted detective with a no-nonsense take charge female partner who keeps him in check (he's always trying to feel up beautiful women--even his female clients!) with an odd assortment of weapons that often seem to appear out of nowhere. This makes for some hilarious moments. However the silliness is mixed with moments of good characterization and loads of action. Overall, I would recommend any City Hunter movie (or even the television series if you can afford it--be warned it's a subtitled release only) to fans of both action and comedy. I would've given the film 5 stars, but the movie neglects to provide an explanation for new viewers as to why Falcon (Joe's rival and friend) displays such bitterness and hatred towards one of the villians named Dunkirk. Other than that, I enjoyed it immensely.