Very well written article and a joy to read! I'm a big Kitano fan (my fav is probably Boiling Point, but I'm not yet a completist). I've been putting off watching Broken Rage out of worry that it will be kinda embarrassing, but you're framing of it in terms of his career arc has me way more excited. I was gonna watch it eventually! I also remember Most Extreme Elimination Challenge through a kind of hazy nostalgic fugue state haha
Thank you so very much for reading! It was such a joy to write, too. Broken Rage definitely isn't anywhere close to his best work, but it really got me thinking about his career arc as a whole, as you say. In that sense, I think it's a lot of fun! Plus, watching everyone break is bound to entice some giggles.
Also, I am so glad someone else remembers Most Extreme Elimination Challenge! Pulling the screengrabs to add to the piece had me checking out some old episodes and howling all over again. I'm curious to check out the Takeshi's Castle reboot now, too!
I'm so glad you called out the actors breaking, that was my favourite part of it! (Coincidentally also just about the only thing I liked in Poor Things - Ruffalo going "What the ff-- (looks into lens) - what the fuck are you talking about?" had me on the floor.)
Right! I couldn't stop giggling throughout that second half, but whenever they broke, that's what totally took me out. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun (and rightfully so)!
Great read. Been a Kitano fan going on over 30 years now. What's amazing is how in between his comic and his yakuza personas and works, he weaves this third lane of absolute playfulness and experimentation. That's where I start to really fall in love with him. The whimsical (yet still callous) children's film KIKUJIRO, the weirdness of his autobiographical trilogy, the romanticism of DOLLS, the fact that his remake of ZATOICHI is essentially a musical at heart. I love it all.
Oh and while you did mention that Nao Omori is Ichi the Killer, I would have also mentioned that it is a reunion of sorts with his ICHI co-star Tadanobu Asano, who plays Kakihara and is pretty much the no. 1 reason people love that movie. Just a fun note.
Thank you so much for reading and for this thoughtful comment. I'm absolutely kicking myself for not adding that Asano tidbit -- you are so right! It's always so much fun to see a reunion like that.
https://youtu.be/lo4B-pJDrlc?si=V13aDscnx_p2fb2K
YES! Hahaha, someone just told me about this the other day, and I absolutely need to get started on the Yakuza games!!
It's easily my favorite game series. Perfect blend of serious crime drama and absolute absurdity just like Takeshi : )
You shan't regret it. Every single Japanese character actor under the sun is in those games, and all of #3 is an extended riff on Sonatine.
*rubs hands together in excitement*
Very well written article and a joy to read! I'm a big Kitano fan (my fav is probably Boiling Point, but I'm not yet a completist). I've been putting off watching Broken Rage out of worry that it will be kinda embarrassing, but you're framing of it in terms of his career arc has me way more excited. I was gonna watch it eventually! I also remember Most Extreme Elimination Challenge through a kind of hazy nostalgic fugue state haha
Thank you so very much for reading! It was such a joy to write, too. Broken Rage definitely isn't anywhere close to his best work, but it really got me thinking about his career arc as a whole, as you say. In that sense, I think it's a lot of fun! Plus, watching everyone break is bound to entice some giggles.
Also, I am so glad someone else remembers Most Extreme Elimination Challenge! Pulling the screengrabs to add to the piece had me checking out some old episodes and howling all over again. I'm curious to check out the Takeshi's Castle reboot now, too!
I'm so glad you called out the actors breaking, that was my favourite part of it! (Coincidentally also just about the only thing I liked in Poor Things - Ruffalo going "What the ff-- (looks into lens) - what the fuck are you talking about?" had me on the floor.)
Right! I couldn't stop giggling throughout that second half, but whenever they broke, that's what totally took me out. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun (and rightfully so)!
Great read. Been a Kitano fan going on over 30 years now. What's amazing is how in between his comic and his yakuza personas and works, he weaves this third lane of absolute playfulness and experimentation. That's where I start to really fall in love with him. The whimsical (yet still callous) children's film KIKUJIRO, the weirdness of his autobiographical trilogy, the romanticism of DOLLS, the fact that his remake of ZATOICHI is essentially a musical at heart. I love it all.
Oh and while you did mention that Nao Omori is Ichi the Killer, I would have also mentioned that it is a reunion of sorts with his ICHI co-star Tadanobu Asano, who plays Kakihara and is pretty much the no. 1 reason people love that movie. Just a fun note.
All around, great stuff. Cheers.
Thank you so much for reading and for this thoughtful comment. I'm absolutely kicking myself for not adding that Asano tidbit -- you are so right! It's always so much fun to see a reunion like that.