Hitman: Professional evaluation and recommended points

"The Hitman": A world of humor and suspense woven by Japan's top hitman

■Overview of the work

"Killer" is a 10-episode anime series that aired in 2013, based on the Futabasha manga "Killer" by Ichijo Masahide (Tama). Directed by Ikegaya Ai, animated by Opera House, and broadcast by Teletama, each episode is short at 5 minutes but has a dense story. Copyright ©2013 Tamachiku./Futabasha, "Killer" Production Committee.

■ Story

■Explanation

■ Main staff

■ Main Characters

■Subtitle

■ Theme songs and music

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"Killer" is a work that draws viewers in with its unique worldview and humorous story development. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal, highlights, and recommended points of the work.

■The appeal of the work

The greatest appeal of "The Hitman" is its exquisite balance of humor and suspense. While it deals with the serious profession of being a hitman, it provides laughs to the audience by linking even the most trivial events in everyday life to the act of "killing." For example, the use of the term "killing" to describe summer vacation homework and housewives' domestic work gives viewers a fresh sense of surprise and laughter. Also not to be missed are the humanity of the hitman character and his comical interactions with the other characters.

■Highlights

Though each episode is short, the cleverness of the storytelling shines through. Particularly in episode #2, "A Revolutionary Time Device," there is a memorable scene in which the hitman tests out a device he developed himself. In this episode, the hitman's technical skills are combined with humor, leaving a strong impact on the viewer. Also, episode #5, "Going to Buy Vegetables...," delves deeper into the hitman's personality and background by depicting his efforts to avenge his father's death. Furthermore, episode #10, "It's You...," depicts a fateful confrontation between the hitman and the chief detective, building to excitement as the climax of the entire series.

■Charm of the characters

Each character in "The Hitman" is unique and attractive. The main character, the Hitman (Sasaki Ryuichi), is a character who has both a calm and professional side and a humorous side. The fact that his real name is "Sasaki Ryuichi" makes viewers feel close to him. In addition, the woman who killed his father is a homeless high school girl, but she is portrayed as a character with strong will and drive. The apprentice is a reliable boy who becomes an apprentice to the Hitman, and his growth story is also one of the highlights. The Chief Police Officer is a nice middle-aged man at the Metropolitan Police Department who continues to pursue the Hitman, and his humor and humanity make a good impression on viewers. And Goro is a smart and cute police dog who is loved by the Hitman, and his presence adds warmth to the story.

■ Achievements of the production staff

The production staff of "Killer" support the work with their talent and technical ability. Ichijo Masahide (Tama), who wrote the original story, created a unique worldview and a humorous story. Haruki (Chiku), who was in charge of the illustrations, meticulously depicted the characters' expressions and movements, leaving a strong impression on the viewers. Director Ikegaya Ai cleverly developed the story within the short length, successfully drawing the viewers in. Opera House, who was in charge of animation, maximized the appeal of the work with high-quality animation. The production committee, Opera House, Clockworks, and Studio Mouse, worked hard to produce and popularize the work.

■ The appeal of the theme song

The theme song for "The Hitman", "The End", was written by MIKI, composed by seek and sung by Mix Speaker's, Inc. This song reflects the world view and humor of the work, leaving a strong impression on the audience. The lyrics skillfully express the feelings and actions of the hitman, deeply moving the audience. The melody has the power to draw the audience in while maintaining a balance between humor and suspense.

■ Recommendation points

"The Hitman" is highly recommended for viewers who enjoy an exquisite balance of humor and suspense. Although it deals with the serious profession of being a hitman, it also provides viewers with fresh surprises and laughter by linking even the most trivial events in daily life to the act of "killing." Furthermore, the storytelling, which delves deeply into the personalities and humanity of the characters, is not to be missed. The talent and technical ability of the production staff, as well as the appeal of the theme song, also add to the appeal of the work. Be sure to watch "The Hitman" and enjoy its unique worldview and humorous story.

Related information

The original manga for "Killer" was serialized in Futabasha's Manga Action. Even after the anime series ended, a sequel to the original manga was announced, which became a hot topic among fans. Related goods and events have also been held, supporting the popularity of the work. Furthermore, on the Internet, fans are actively creating derivative works and reviews, widely spreading the appeal of the work.

■ Summary

"The Hitman" draws viewers in with its unique worldview and humorous storyline. While it deals with the serious profession of being a hitman, it also provides viewers with fresh surprises and laughter by linking even the most trivial events in daily life to the act of "killing." Also, don't miss the storytelling that delves deeply into the personalities and humanity of the characters. The talent and technical ability of the production staff and the appeal of the theme song also add to the appeal of the work. Be sure to watch "The Hitman" and enjoy its unique worldview and humorous storyline.