Crying Freeman: Complete Collection

Message to anime addicts: pounce! The complete series of Crying Freeman--all six episodes--have been gathered into a single collection and the result is, pardon the pun, a real killer. For the uninitiated, the hitman title character is actually Yo Hinomura, a Japanese potter who is abducted and brainwashed by a Chinese crime syndicate trying to expand operations into Tokyo. Programmed to be a ruthless assassin, Yo's artistic sensitivity nonetheless emerges as he stoically sheds silent tears with each hit he executes. Striking in its conception and design--most notably the muscular Yo and the intricate tattoo patterns that decorate his taut frame--Crying Freeman, which easily earns its 17-up rating, features extreme violence and adult situations (even by anime standards, the levels of raw carnality and depraved criminal slaughter is remarkably high). By comparison, the rarely-seen 1995 live action feature film version starring Mark Dacascos is surprisingly toned down and sedate. As if the sex and violence weren't enough, the PC police will also find Crying Freeman guilty for its unpleasant depiction of Chinese and Russian characters, though this seems less evident in the English-dubbed version than the Japanese language w/English subtitles edition (both of which are featured in this collection). Regardless, this is a beloved classic in the anime genre, and this release will give anime fans reason enough to cry tears of joy. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (P. Hall)