Completed
“Masochistic mobster confronts psychopathic killer Ichi, whose dark past and brutal origins terrorize Tokyo.”
Ichi The Killer: Episode 0
殺し屋１ THE ANIMATION EPISODE 0
5.65
12,466 rank · 12,248 viewers · 36 favorites
Action
Avant Garde
Drama
Horror
Suspense
Gore
Martial Arts
Organized Crime
Psychological
Seinen
Would You Love or Hate This?
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
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Honest pros & cons
Based on your library
Synopsis
Masochistic mobster confronts psychopathic killer Ichi, whose dark past and brutal origins terrorize Tokyo.
A masochistic mobster meets his match in the dark streets of Tokyo. His nemesis, Ichi, is a psychopathic killer with an unrelenting thirst for bloodshed. A horrifying secret burns in his mind, and his hands deal death without mercy. At last, the shrouds of mystery are parted to reveal the origin of the monster. The city will know its greatest fear at the unveiling of Ichi the Killer. (Source: ANN)
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 11 sampled reviews
5.1
/10
What 11 viewers settled on.
40%
recommend
Score distribution
median 4
mode 3
σ 2.71
Agreement
Polarized
σ 2.71 · split reception
The polarity gap
5.4 pts
Recommenders 8.3 · others 2.8
Yes
No
Score over time
↑ 2.09
Running avg · Oct 2008 → Aug 2022
Snap verdicts
· shortest highly-rated reviews
- 10 “This OVA is an absolute masterpiece for fans of twisted, violent, and psychopathic narratives, featuring excellent animation and a high-energy, psychotic opening theme. There are no flaws to be...”
- 7 “The story effectively captures Hajime’s transformation into a violent killing machine, making his psychological trauma and the pressure he faces feel truly palpable. However, the experience is...”
- 7 “I appreciate the OVA's deep dive into the psychology of serial killers, effectively utilizing a gritty, dementia-inspired art style and a jarring soundtrack to depict the protagonist's descent into...”
Verbosity
Short · 45%
Medium · 27%
Long · 27%
Watch Order & Related
A self-contained story.
No sequels, spin-offs or alternate tellings — Ichi The Killer: Episode 0 begins and ends here.
Cast
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See all →Made by
See all credits →Production slate
- Format 1 × 45′ eps × min
- Total runtime 0h 45m all episodes
- Aired Sep 2002 – ongoing
- Source Ova media type
- Rated R+ Mild Nudity
- Ref. BS-2148 catalog
Produced by
- Amuse Producer
- Omnibus Promotion Producer
Licensed by
- Central Park Media Licensor