Ichi the Killer

Ichi the Killer is a 2001 Japanese yakuza splatter film directed by Takashi Miike, written by Sakichi Sato, and starring Tadanobu Asano and Nao Omori. Based on Hideo Yamamoto's manga series of the same name, its plot follows a psychologically damaged man who is manipulated into assaulting or killing rival faction members of feuding Yakuza gangs while being pursued by a sadomasochistic enforcer. The film has garnered controversy due to its graphic depictions of violence and cruelty, and has been banned in several countries. Plot A man named Ichi stands on a balcony, masturbating while spying on a pimp raping and assaulting a prostitute. When the pimp discovers him, he flees. Sadistic Yakuza boss Anjo is murdered. A cleaning crew run by Jijii removes all traces of Anjo's death and credits Ichi for the murder. Later, Kakihara, Anjo's sadomasochistic high-ranking enforcer, visits the spotless apartment and concludes that Anjo fled town with a prostitute and three million yen of the clan's money. Kakihara visits an underworld night club with other clan members. He tells Anjo's girlfriend, an English-speaking Chinese prostitute named Karen, that Anjo must still be alive, perhaps kidnapped by a rival clan. Jijii feeds Kakihara rumors that Suzuki, a member of the rival Funaki clan, has kidnapped Anjo. Kakihara captures Suzuki and tortures him, but when Suzuki turns out to be innocent, Kakihara slices off the end of his own tongue and offers it to Suzuki's boss as penance.