“City Hunter” started streaming worldwide on Netflix on April 25, 2024. It’s a well-made action movie that brings something new to Japanese cinema and is sure to please both longtime fans and people new to the story.
As Japan’s first live-action adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo’s manga, this film undertakes a significant challenge and succeeds by staying true to the original, thereby connecting with audiences in a meaningful way.
City Hunter is a hard-boiled comedy by Tsukasa Hojo.
“City Hunter,” by manga artist Tsukasa Hojo, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (1985–1991) and became immensely popular for its action, characters, and humor. With over 50 million copies sold, it spawned an anime series and film, remaining a beloved international classic.
A brief summary of City Hunter
Set in modern Tokyo (circa 1990), “City Hunter” follows Ryo Saeba, a professional operating in Shinjuku’s underworld, who takes on cases the police cannot solve and combats lawless evil.
While often a womanizer with a carefree air, Ryo uses his exceptional skills and intellect to tackle tough missions alongside Kaori Makimura, his late best friend’s sister. Their dynamic blends support and comedic conflict, forming a unique partnership.
Serious cases and comical exchanges between Ryo and Kaori, along with distinctive supporting characters, collectively create the captivating narrative of “City Hunter.”
An excellent structure as the beginning of the story
The movie does a great job of showing how Ryo and Kaori first teamed up, just as in the manga, but also introduces new ideas that even longtime fans will find interesting.
Set in today’s Shinjuku, the film retains the vibe of the 1990s original while updating elements like rotary phones to smartphones. This helps keep the spirit of the original and makes it fun for both old and new fans.
Deep understanding of the original work and modern interpretation
Ryōhei Suzuki plays Ryo Saeba so well that it feels like he walked straight out of the manga.
What makes Ryo Saeba so interesting is the big difference between his goofy, flirtatious side and his top-level skills as a sweeper.
In daily life, Ryo’s comically lecherous side is central to the comedy, making his antics endearing.
When he’s on a mission, Ryo is calm and skilled, which really stands out compared to his usual antics. This mix is what makes him so appealing.
Charismatic characters and story structure
Ryohei Suzuki embodies the essence of “Saeba Ryo”
Suzuki masterfully captures Ryo’s sense of humor and action scenes, making both fun to watch and memorable. Professional Ryo, with notably mesmerizing firearm handling, is sure to satisfy longtime fans.
This mix of traits makes Saeba Ryo stand out as a truly charismatic and well-loved character, not just another tough guy or flirt.
Kaori Makimura showed a new charm
Kaori Makimura, played by Mochizuki Morita, brings a new twist to the character. She comes across as a modern woman who is both innocent and strong, which is a bit different from her more outspoken original version.
Kaori and Ryo interact in a way that feels genuine, and watching their relationship develop is one of the movie’s most engaging aspects.
Supporting characters
Masayuki Ando as Hideyuki Makimura and Fumino Kimura as Saeko Nogami both did a great job showing why their characters matter.
Even though Ando wasn’t on screen for long, he did a great job showing trust and the bond between siblings. His final scene is especially memorable and significantly contributes to the story.
Uncompromising action and emotionally stirring staging and direction
The action scenes really stand out, with Director Yūichi Satōchoosring real gunplay and stunts instead of flashy effects. This makes the action feel more real and intense.
The fight scenes, especially when Ryo takes on multiple opponents at once, are sharp and even reminiscent of the John Wick movies. They set a new standard for Japanese action films.
The film’s cinematography and art blend nostalgia from the original with modern Shinjuku, skillfully updating elements like the XYZ message to fit the new setting.
The casting demonstrates genuine respect for the original, with each actor carefully selected for their role. Suzuki, in particular, is a big reason for the film’s success.
Once again, Netflix demonstrates its strength in delivering high-quality films to viewers worldwide.
Many manga and anime adaptations receive criticism from fans, but “City Hunter” is likely to satisfy even the most discerning fans thanks to the production’s understanding of its core appeal and efforts to fully realize it in live-action.
Thanks to Netflix, “City Hunter” reached viewers worldwide and quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s global charts. This shows just how much people are enjoying it.
Summary: A masterpiece that will go down in history as a new milestone in live-action adaptations
“City Hunter” really stands out among live-action manga adaptations. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the story, there’s a lot to enjoy.
You can tell the creators love the original and care about making a great live-action film. “City Hunter” is a rare success and deserves its place in movie history.
Finally, hearing “Get Wild” play during the ending of City Hunter still gives me goosebumps!
