MisterWhiplash Keep this in mind: this isn't some of the slightly more sanitized Adult Swim material on Cartoon Network. Ichi the Killer Episode 0 is hardcore anime, meant for probably some of the sickest f****s digging around for whatever they can in the most gritty video bins in some dump of a store. In its 40 minute running time the filmmakers backtrack into the life of Ichi, the memorable sadist from Takashi Miike's film. It's basically all about Ichi coming back from repressed teenage years where he's got the mind of a six year old trapped in a body that's half psycho-libido, and half just psycho killer, the two merging most of the time. Ichi is, of course, trained this way, or rather controlled by forces that use him as a killing machine. But we also see a side to an anti-hero that we might never ever see, which makes him so much of a crazy bird that we almost try and move away from the screen as killings go on, loaded with harsh sexual connotations that would probably scar for life some small children if seen.It's a violent, insane spectacle, filled with the kind of imagery that only comes out of a comic book that has the reputation to still shock in the 21st century. Lots of sick martial arts moments tinged with just that extra over-the-top belt of surreal mania, as Ichi cries and cries and grows aroused all the more from one killing to the next. I recommend it probably more to those who would already be seeking out anime that's a little more than what would usually be used to seeing; the drawbacks are kinda glaring for most though, including an overbearing soundtrack (sometimes used would have been alright, but this constant starts to take a toll on the narrative, and such awful techno-pop carp), and an ending that seems to cut short just as a whole other narrative seems to start up. It goes without saying I can't see why a show like this wouldn't be picked up - you'd need an exec with the guts of a Tarantino or, for that matter Miike, to see it through without damning the creators to hell and starting a religion to repress this trash. But as trash it is, there's some art stuck in the middle: abstractions done and fashioned as if out of the most deranged fever dream ever conceived in anime.

Scott Baldwin (Meven_Stoffat) As a fan of Koroshiya 1 (or Ichi the Killer, as the English title is), the I knew this was going to rock. Unfourtanately I was wrong. The story is boring and predictable, it could have been something written in 10 minutes by some high school student Here's what else is wrong: 1. It's way too short, 40 minutes long, and Like ICHI-1 (which I also own and hated), does not advance the story well. Could have been an extra on the IchI The Killer Uncut DVD.2. Too many things in the plot you don't even care about, including pointless sex scenes (EG. Hajime's (Ichi) parents talking, then all of a sudden, random S&M scene!).3. Muddy animation 4. Voice acting is irritatingly terrible. I am an Anime fan, but the acting was stupid. Even the English voice acting sucked.5. Like one person said, It's like a stupid Ichi Fanfiction, just in anime form.6. The music sucks. Ergo, when Ichi accidentally kills the rabbit, instead of suspenseful music you just get lame techno music with some chick writhing as if she's having an orgasm.So avoid this at all costs. It's for your own good.

OUKnight99 *Minor Spoilers Herein*This Japanese Anime begins during Kekihara and Ichi's duel from the film Ichi the Killer (Although i have a feeling that this is drawn in a way that is more similar to the Ichi the Killer Manga than the film...) before flashing back to explain how it was that Ichi became a killer.The story itself begins interesting enough, but the excessive use of nudity (Ichi's parents are big into S&M, as is apparently everyone in Ichi and Kekihara's world) and bizarre cell shading techniques gives this anime an almost childish feeling. The story comes across as rather forced and unrealistic (not unrealistic in the same way that the film was) with Ichi growing up in a school that is more like a prison, coming home to listen to the moans of his parents next door. The low budget is what really hurts this film,and more focus on actual story substance, rather than trying to 'shocking' would have helped this prequel. It's okay, and if you've seen Ichi the Killer you'll have to see this, but i expected a lot more. Hopefully more Ichi the Killer animation (with a bigger) budget will be released. Let's just hope it's better written and better directed.

Toxie2000 This animation is actually based on the manga origins of Ichi the Killer but could still plausibly coincide with the movie. It's well made and VERY GORY. Even worse than the live action because it's animated. Currently this is the only Ichi animation made but more should be coming soon. If you liked the live action movie diffenetly pick this up.