Crying Freeman - Portrait of a Killer (Vol. 1)

Starring:Toshio Furukawa, Chiharu Kataishi, RyÃ»sei Nakao, YÃ»saku Yara, Takaya Hashi, Masako Katsuki, KÃ´hei Miyauchi, Nobuyo Tsuda, Yumi TÃ´ma, YasurÃ´ Tanaka, Masaharu SatÃ´, Ken Yamaguchi, Masato Hirano, KÃ´ji Totani, Yukitoshi Hori, Daisuke GÃ´ri, Kazumi Tanaka, Nobuo Yana, Jeff Winkless, Steve Bulen
Director: Daisuke Nishio
Studio: Adv Films
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Many of the sex scenes in the 1986 manga by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami that raised eyebrows in Japan were preserved in this six-part OAV (1989). Potter Yoh Hinamura was brainwashed and made a master assassin by the Chinese mafia, the 108 Dragons. During a hit, Yoh is seen by artist Emu Hino. When he comes to murder her, she seduces him and wins his heart; in defiance of gang law, he refuses to give her up. In the second episode, Emu and Yoh are given the new names Fu Chinran and Lon Tayan, and made the leaders of the 108 Dragons. But Yoh has a lot of old scores to settle--plus some new ones--that lead to an orgy of stabbings and shootings. Crying Freeman is not for the squeamish or prudish. (Rated 17 and older, but appropriate for 18 and older: graphic violence, torture, nudity, sexual situations) --Charles Solomon
Description
Brainwashed by the 108 Dragons, a powerful Chinese crime syndicate, Yo Hinomura is transformed into a killing machine known as "Crying Freeman" for the silent tears he sheds for his victims.

When the lovely artist Emu Hino witnesses one of his killing missions, Freeman is ordered to eliminate her. But the heated chemistry between the artist and her would-be killer spurs an immediate reaction. Hunted by both the police and the mob, victim and assassin vow to face together whatever fate has in store for them.

Crying Freeman - Portrait of a Killer (Vol. 1)
Average customer rating:

The Enigma of Guilt

love it

Yea!

Art

Crying Freeman - Portrait of a Killer (Vol. 1)
Starring: Toshio Furukawa , Chiharu Kataishi , Ryûsei Nakao , Yûsaku Yara , and Takaya Hashi
Director: Daisuke Nishio
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000083C55
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Amazon.com

Many of the sex scenes in the 1986 manga by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami that raised eyebrows in Japan were preserved in this six-part OAV (1989). Potter Yoh Hinamura was brainwashed and made a master assassin by the Chinese mafia, the 108 Dragons. During a hit, Yoh is seen by artist Emu Hino. When he comes to murder her, she seduces him and wins his heart; in defiance of gang law, he refuses to give her up. In the second episode, Emu and Yoh are given the new names Fu Chinran and Lon Tayan, and made the leaders of the 108 Dragons. But Yoh has a lot of old scores to settle--plus some new ones--that lead to an orgy of stabbings and shootings. Crying Freeman is not for the squeamish or prudish. (Rated 17 and older, but appropriate for 18 and older: graphic violence, torture, nudity, sexual situations) --Charles Solomon

Description

Brainwashed by the 108 Dragons, a powerful Chinese crime syndicate, Yo Hinomura is transformed into a killing machine known as "Crying Freeman" for the silent tears he sheds for his victims.

Customer Reviews:

The Enigma of Guilt.......2004-12-25

In an odd sense of cross cultural symbol mixes, Crying Freeman both exploits old stereotypes and develops new ones. Crying Freeman, although it may not have been intended to be so, is the reverse of Kill Bill - where a Japanese 'woman' takes over a Japanese Yakuza operation. The Chinese triad 'family', the 108 Dragons, is looking to develop its area of operation into Japan. In Portrait of a Killer and Shades of Death, the Japanese law enforcement is resolute to keep them out by forming an alliance with the local Yakuza to thwart any Dragon efforts. Yo Hinomura, a potter - is recruited by the 108 Dragons, who develop him into a killing machine. Yo completes the transition by taking the Chinese name Ron Tayan (Dragon Sun). In the opening scene, Emu Hino, a young artist, contemplates her death as she witnessed Tayan's handiwork when he assassinated a Yakuza victim and is moved to tears - ergo the Crying Freeman. Tayan, who acquired the nickname "Crying Freeman," is ordered by the 108 Dragons to get rid of the witness Emu Hino. Emu, worried for her virginity, beseeches Tayan not to let her depart this life a virgin. The love that results from their encounter causes Tayan to break a few cherished Dragon tenets. Tayan and Emu flee their Yakuza enemies and escape to safer China. The wedding of Tayan to Emu and his subsequent installation as head of the 108 Dragon causes much stir among the old guard. This DVD therefore sets the stage for the whole series - the Crying Freeman a Japanese potter at the helm of a Chinese clan. Crying Freeman is, arguably, guilty pleasure anime. Anime is, by its very fabric escapist. The problem with Crying Freeman is that it is indeed violent and is not for children. I am not certain what sub-genre it falls under but it certainly is complex and it does call to question cultural representations. At the core of the series is 'contradiction.' Yo (Ron Tayan) is enigmatic in that he kills yet is inexplicably saddened by the act. Never able to reconcile his love and position both he and Emu (now Fu Ching-Ran (Tiger Orchid)) are destined to take their happiness where they can get it. I like the series because it is a wonderful laboratory for cross cultural representation and misrepresentation - the action is simply gravy. In the dark tradition of Perfect Blue, Crying Freeman uses sex and violence to add complexity to the story. Does the series border on Hentai - certainly a good argument could be made, in reality it is adult anime more 'R' than 'X' - I give it the thumbs up for the artistry and complexity, the rest the viewer will have to decide on their own.

Miguel Llora

love it.......2003-11-04

I fell in love with crying freeman when I lived in Japan ,but I could only get in Japanese. Now that it avaible in english, Wow! The love between freeman (Yoh) and Emu is so beauiful, most woman will love this action adventure. They portray all the characters three-dimensionally. I have flown in to Hong Kong,myself, and the attention to detail is uncanny. Any artist can appreciate this movie and hopefully most anyone could sit down and watch this and get some enjoyment out of it.

Yea!.......2003-10-13

I am so happy this came to DVD! It's one of the best animes ever! I first saw this years ago and it's still one of the best! I love it!

Art.......2003-05-30

I followed Crying Freeman back in his comic days and the dvd movies are very true to the details of the art of the comic .Yes Freeman art and story has given me tears of joy on Dvd. I also recomment Golgo 13 if you like the Freeman saga.

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