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KITE (カイト ) Kite, also known as A Kite, is a highly controversial Japanese anime OVA written and directed by Yasuomi Umetsu. The original Japanese version ran for two 30 minute episodes. However, subsequent releases, including the first two releases in the United States, have edited the OVA into one hour-long "movie".
Synopsis:
Kite revolves around a schoolgirl named Sawa who was orphaned in her early teens. Subsequently raised by two men, of which one begins a sexual relationship with her, she begins life anew as a highly trained assassin. Eventually meeting another assassin of similar age, a bond quickly forms between the two and soon Sawa finds herself gaining the strength to escape from her guardians and set out on her own. Kite can be likened to a much darker and more exploitative version of the film Nikita.
Kite is controversial in its depiction of extreme gory violence and explicit sex and nudity, including pornographic scenes involving a young Sawa. Consequently the OVA has been released three times in the United States, each with less censorship than the last (with the most recent release being reputedly uncensored). Kite was also banned in many Countries.
A live action adaptation of Kite has been reported to be in various stages of pre-production for a number of years now, with American film director Rob Cohen attached as either director or producer. The content of the live action film is expected to be toned down from the original OVA.
Two versions were initially released: a "General Release" version (rated 16-Up) and a "Director's Cut" version (rated 18-Up), which contains nearly 10 minutes of explicit footage. This Director's Cut version, however, is missing some scenes found in the original Japanese release. A third release, labeled "Special Edition", contains Kite in its original, uncut form.
Rating
*''USA NC-17 *''Japan R-18 *''Germany 18 (cut) *''Australia R18+(censored version) *''Norway 18 (censored version) *''France 18 (cut) *''New Zealand (Banned) *''Argentina X *''China (Banned) *''United Kingdom E for children *''Sweden (Banned)
References to Kite
The music video of No Doubt's song, "Ex-Girlfriend", is loosely based on Kite. The video was directed by Hype Williams.
See also
- Mezzo Forte, Umetsu's follow up to Kite, which also concerns a young woman working as an assassin.
- _Yellow_Star, previously directed by Umetsu, features "prototype" character designs and similar subject matter.
External links
Anime dubbed into English | Anime films | Action anime | H anime
"Kite (film)"