TV-MA | 1h 42m | Action, Comedy, Crime | 2024
I grew up drawing my own comic books while immersing myself in Japanese culture, language, and history. Unsurprisingly, I naturally gravitated toward the Japanese visual arts of manga and anime. These Eastern counterparts to Western comic books and cartoons have grown tremendously in global popularity over the last few years.
“City Hunter” is the new live-action adaptation of the manga series by Tsukasa Hojo that first took Japan by storm in the 1980s. Over the decades, the franchise has seen multiple anime adaptations and various attempts at live-action films.
“City Hunter” stays true to the essence of the original manga as the most faithful live-action version to date.
The film follows the adventures of Ryo Saeba (Ryohei Suzuki), a private detective and top “sweeper” navigating the gritty streets of the modern-day of suburb of Tokyo, Shinjuku. That’s where Ryo and his business partner Hideyuki Makimura (Masanobu Ando) run their detective agency, aptly named City Hunter.
The plot kicks off when the two are hired to track down a teenage runaway with ties to a dangerous new drug, Angel Dust. This potent substance gives its users temporary superhuman strength but has a deadly downside—the user dies once the effects wear off.
When Hideyuki is tragically killed by one of these drug-fueled maniacs, Ryo teams up with Kaori Makimura (Misato Morita), Hideyuki’s adopted sister, to unravel the conspiracy, protect the runaway, and take down the organization responsible for Hideyuki’s death.
One of the biggest strengths of the film is its casting. Ryohei Suzuki, in the role of Ryo Saeba, brings the perfect blend of swagger, charm, and physicality to the character. His comedic timing and over-the-top charisma are spot on, capturing the womanizing yet lovable rogue fans know from the manga.
Misato Morita shines as Kaori Makimura, striking a balance between exasperated partner and grounded counterweight to Ryo’s antics. Their chemistry feels genuine, and their dynamic is both humorous and heartwarming.
Newcomers to the genre don’t need to be familiar with the original series to enjoy this film. However, fans of the franchise will appreciate the film’s many nods to the source material.
The plot may be relatively straightforward, but it doesn’t try to do too much or veer away from what made the original so beloved. Instead, it serves as a vehicle for the film’s main draw—its wild, comedic action sequences and the playful dynamic between its leads.
In one standout scene, Ryo slides down a flight of stairs on an inflatable massage mat, and crashes through windows, all while rock music blares in the background. It’s the kind of ridiculous spectacle that will leave audiences laughing out loud while still being impressed by the sheer creativity on display.
What also sets this adaptation apart is its willingness to lean into the eccentricities of Japanese humor, largely untouched by Western notions of political correctness. Ryo is still the incorrigible skirt-chaser, flirting shamelessly with every attractive woman he encounters. Yet it’s all played for laughs, with Kaori often stepping in to keep him in check.
Underneath the comedy, however, is Ryo’s deep sense of honor and protectiveness, especially toward women. A particularly funny yet touching scene involves Ryo balletically shielding a cosplaying girl’s exposed body with his own when a group of photographers tries to take advantage of her.
While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it carries an earnest message about protecting the vulnerable and taking down those who profit from human suffering. It’s an old-school tale of good versus evil, updated to fit a modern Tokyo backdrop while still maintaining the heart of 1980s action cinema.
Ultimately, “City Hunter” is a love letter to its source material, one that respects its roots while offering a fresh, entertaining take for new audiences. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first timer, the film is a reminder of why this franchise has endured for nearly four decades. It’s a fantastically good time, filled with action, humor, and a touch of heart.
