1-Ichi

Watch 1-Ichi

"How Ichi becomes the Killer."
  • NR
  • 2003
  • 1 hr 23 min
  • 5.4  (716)

1-Ichi is a 2003 Japanese martial arts film directed by Masato Tanno, which revolves around the journey of a blind swordswoman and her protector in a world filled with deceit and violence. The movie stars Nao Ohmori as Ichi, Teah as Toma Fujihira, Chihara Junia as Toraji, and Chisato Amate as Sayaka. The plot of the movie is centered on Ichi, a blind woman who uses her heightened senses to master the art of sword fighting. Ichi is a highly skilled swordsman, and her swordsmanship is sought after by many in the underworld. However, Ichi doesn't enjoy violence and only fights to protect herself and her friends.

Toma is a gambler who is indebted to a Yakuza boss. To repay his debt, Toma is forced to take on a job to assassinate Ichi. He is given a sword and a note with her location, but Toma never intended to kill anyone. When he finally meets Ichi, he realizes that she is not what he expected. He sees that she is kind-hearted and would not harm anyone unless she is provoked.

As Toma begins to spend more time with Ichi, he develops a deep admiration for her, revering her masterful swordsmanship and her serene nature. However, Toraji, a rival swordsman also seeks to eliminate Ichi and thus begins pursuing her. Toraji is arrogant, full of pride and a masterful swordsman himself, but he isn't patient enough and becomes obsessed with defeating Ichi.

As the story progresses, Toma makes every effort to help Ichi ward off anyone that tries to harm her, while still continuing his journey to pay off his debt. However, it's not long before their pasts catch up with them, and the three find themselves at a crossroads. Ichi must use her skills to defeat Toraji, who will stop at nothing to eliminate her, while Toma confronts his debts and the people who want him dead.

The movie showcases some remarkable fight scenes, and the filming techniques used make them even more fascinating. In one fight sequence, Ichi is in a compound filled with enemies sneaking up on her, and the camera throws us into her head where we see how she is using her hearing power to detect and locate each and every enemy. Another memorable scene is when Toma is chased by unknown attackers through a building, where he displays his agility, using almost every available space to move.

The pacing of the film is fantastic, and it keeps the audience's attention from start to finish. The music and sound effects align with the violence and the emotions expressed throughout the movie. The movie will also delight those who cherish the Japanese martial arts genre, with its sword fighting and intense martial arts scenes.

In conclusion, 1-Ichi is a captivating martial arts film that stands out with its unique portrayal of a blind swordsman, fascinating fight scenes and a refreshing storyline. The acting is of a high standard, with Nao Ohmori portraying Ichi's persona superbly. The attention given to details and the cinematography makes the film stand out. Anyone who loves the Japanese martial arts genre or a good action-packed film should give 1-Ichi a watch.

1-Ichi
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Description
  • Release Date
    2003
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 23 min
  • Language
    Japanese
  • IMDB Rating
    5.4  (716)