Ichi The Killer [2001]: Behind the Styling
![Ichi The Killer [2001]: Behind the Styling](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57825361440243db4a4b7830/1643714051001-L0BAX8IPH04XE3K38UJN/tumblr_p7kws8LiMS1wiassio5_1280.png)
The cult classic ‘Ichi The Killer’ is a movie adaptation of Hideo Yamamoto’s eponymous manga series ‘Ichi the killer'.
Directed by Takashi Miike, it is viewed as one of the most brutal and disturbing movies to this day. Both the manga and the movie tell the story of a Yakuza clan that is looking for its missing boss who has been killed by Ichi, a fearful young man and sanguinary killer. The clan, now led by Kakihara, a violent sadomasochistic thug and protagonist of the movie, begins its hunt for Ichi which results in a bizarre and bloodlusty storyline.
‘Ichi The Killer’ had its world premiere in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2001. As a publicity gimmick, barf bags were given to the viewers of the screening with reports saying that several people threw up and one viewer fainted whilst watching the movie. For the Hong Kong release, sixteen minutes and 59 seconds had to be cut and the movie has since been banned outright in several countries including Norway, Malaysia and Germany.
"Ichi The Killer is a thoroughly shocking gorefest that will surely entertain those with strong stomachs and a penchant for brutal violence."
One of the most notable factors for the cult status of the movie, besides its disturbing reputation, is the legendary stylist Michiko Kitamura's choice of clothing. The looks that can be found in the movie are a tribute to the traditional Asian mafia aesthetic but with an almost feminine and extravagant glam touch. The garments in the movie were speckled with glitter and featured fabrics like satin as well as sequins in very bright and striking colors that contrasted perfectly with the gritty and brutal manner of the characters.
When doing the styling for the film, Michiko made a request, stating that since Kakihara had blonde hair, she wanted all of his body hair to be blonde as well. "In the final scene of the movie, Kakihara falls off a building, and if his chest hair was black, it would ruin the moment", she said. When Tadanobu Asano / @tadanobu_asano , actor for Kakihara heard this, he dyed all of his body hair blonde. True dedication from both sides.
