If you are going to see this film I highly recommend seeing this movie in the original Japanese with subtitles if at all possible. The movie is an enjoyable experience, almost ruined by one of the most inept dubbing jobs I have ever experienced. Its just that the voices chosen were almost an insult to the original actors. The plot line is intriguing, although I have seen similar before. There is a cheap/campy quality to the special effects, but I rather enjoyed them despite this. The monsters were very creepy but somehow human at the same time, which was one of the more likable qualities of the film. It seems like the crew had a lot of heart and soul invested in the movie but very little budget. Fortunately, the heart and soul won out. I was especially impressed by the lead character's appearance; it's now one of my favorite werewolves(Dog Soldiers being my favorite). The fight scenes were also very over the top, reminiscent of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, but then again I love those films. The entire point of the film is that humans can be more monstrous than the monsters, and it drives the point home well, but a little heavy handed.
19 Reviews
KIBAKICHI (Tomoo Haraguchi, 2004) **1/2
Bunuel197619 October 2008
The Japanese had already tackled King Kong, Frankenstein and Dracula in the past
so it was only a matter of time before an Asian Werewolf movie came along! I had never heard of the film before chancing upon it at the local DVD rental outlet, but the prospect of a Werewolf Samurai seemed too unique to pass by.
Actually, what little monster action there is, is restricted to the opening and climactic sequences but they are both busy, well-staged fights that satiate one's expectation of what a Samurai film should provide. The rest of it is a muddled and rather dreary narrative about the Yokai (monster people) being ousted by the deceitful humans once and for all, with our hero eventually getting engaged by the leader of the former as one of his henchmen. Again, the opportunity for creative make-up design is not taken to the fullest and falls far short of other foreign 'monster parade' shows like, say, the Russian VIY, OR SPIRIT OF EVIL (1967).
What the film does get utterly right is its faithful recreation of the Samurai era which admirably make the film look, sound and feel like something from the early 1960s! The hero is a taciturn loner with long, shaggy hair who gets to interact (but, thankfully, not get romantically involved) with a human girl adopted by the Yokai leader long ago. Apparently, the film proved successful enough on its home ground to be followed by a sequel that very same year!
Actually, what little monster action there is, is restricted to the opening and climactic sequences but they are both busy, well-staged fights that satiate one's expectation of what a Samurai film should provide. The rest of it is a muddled and rather dreary narrative about the Yokai (monster people) being ousted by the deceitful humans once and for all, with our hero eventually getting engaged by the leader of the former as one of his henchmen. Again, the opportunity for creative make-up design is not taken to the fullest and falls far short of other foreign 'monster parade' shows like, say, the Russian VIY, OR SPIRIT OF EVIL (1967).
What the film does get utterly right is its faithful recreation of the Samurai era which admirably make the film look, sound and feel like something from the early 1960s! The hero is a taciturn loner with long, shaggy hair who gets to interact (but, thankfully, not get romantically involved) with a human girl adopted by the Yokai leader long ago. Apparently, the film proved successful enough on its home ground to be followed by a sequel that very same year!
I saw the NON-dubbed version
planktonrules13 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Unlike some of the other reviews, this is for the subtitled version of KIBAKICHI--not the dubbed version. In practically every case, I prefer subtitled though I really don't know how well the dubbing was.
This is a very weird film for Western audiences and one that probably won't appeal to the average person. The story itself seems strongly inspired by Japanese manga or anime, as so many of the story elements seem identical or similar to those in popular Japanese stories and cartoons (most notably, the very popular INUYASHA). Like INUYASHA, many of the characters are animal spirits in human form and some of them love the taste of human flesh. However, the story is a bit weirder and is full of odd anachronisms. Though the story appears to be set sometime before Japan modernized in the Meiji period (by the dress and feudalism), some of the characters sport modern leather clothes, use Gatling guns and throw very modern-looking grenades!! Trying to make sense of this as well as some of the odd action in the film is probably more trouble than it's worth--it's best to not question and just watch.
The title character, Kibakichi, is one of these animals in human form, though for almost the entire movie he is in human form. However, towards the very bloody ending, he reveals himself to be a werewolf. Other characters, for example, are spiders in human form and love the taste of human flesh. Not surprisingly, there is a lot of prejudice towards these creatures and the film appears to make you feel sorry for them and see them as basically good--but they WERE eating people!! This makes it very hard to really care about the wicked humans or the nice but dietary challenged animals in human form.
As I said before, this is a movie best viewed with your brain turned off and your eyes wide open to take in all the sword play and action. I thought it was generally pretty well done despite all the silly and cheesy elements, but I do have a higher than normal tolerance for the weird. For lovers of Japanese cinema, fantasy and anime, this is probably an excellent film to watch. For others, it will probably confuse you or make you laugh.
By the way, while you see a lot or arms and head hacked off and they are often accompanied by geyser-like sprays of blood, I found these scenes not the least bit scary or gross. They seemed more like the Black Knight scene from MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. However, with this violence and a brief glimpse of a woman's breasts, parents might want to think twice about letting Junior see this one.
This is a very weird film for Western audiences and one that probably won't appeal to the average person. The story itself seems strongly inspired by Japanese manga or anime, as so many of the story elements seem identical or similar to those in popular Japanese stories and cartoons (most notably, the very popular INUYASHA). Like INUYASHA, many of the characters are animal spirits in human form and some of them love the taste of human flesh. However, the story is a bit weirder and is full of odd anachronisms. Though the story appears to be set sometime before Japan modernized in the Meiji period (by the dress and feudalism), some of the characters sport modern leather clothes, use Gatling guns and throw very modern-looking grenades!! Trying to make sense of this as well as some of the odd action in the film is probably more trouble than it's worth--it's best to not question and just watch.
The title character, Kibakichi, is one of these animals in human form, though for almost the entire movie he is in human form. However, towards the very bloody ending, he reveals himself to be a werewolf. Other characters, for example, are spiders in human form and love the taste of human flesh. Not surprisingly, there is a lot of prejudice towards these creatures and the film appears to make you feel sorry for them and see them as basically good--but they WERE eating people!! This makes it very hard to really care about the wicked humans or the nice but dietary challenged animals in human form.
As I said before, this is a movie best viewed with your brain turned off and your eyes wide open to take in all the sword play and action. I thought it was generally pretty well done despite all the silly and cheesy elements, but I do have a higher than normal tolerance for the weird. For lovers of Japanese cinema, fantasy and anime, this is probably an excellent film to watch. For others, it will probably confuse you or make you laugh.
By the way, while you see a lot or arms and head hacked off and they are often accompanied by geyser-like sprays of blood, I found these scenes not the least bit scary or gross. They seemed more like the Black Knight scene from MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. However, with this violence and a brief glimpse of a woman's breasts, parents might want to think twice about letting Junior see this one.
Unexpected, still not sure whether it was a pleasure
kevin_s_scrivner4 October 2005
I'm not sure what my wife expected when she rented "Kibakichi," but it surely wasn't this odd mix of kung fu, spaghetti western and horror. The film was suspenseful and kept our interest throughout. We weren't distracted by dubbing or special effects. Japanese monsters aren't necessarily supposed to be realistic, and we're used to Asian films where the words don't always match the speaker's mouth movements.
The biggest problem I had with the film is the lack of sympathetic characters, including the titular hero. I simply couldn't find anyone to root for. The scriptwriters plainly want the viewer to feel sorry for the Yokai, Japanese mythological monsters. They display commendable family values and have formed a warm, supportive community among themselves. Humans in the film are depicted as cunning, ruthless murderers. Which might have been convincing but for gruesome scenes showing what happens to the monsters' human guests, who are innocent passers-by for all we know. It just doesn't wash.
My wife picked this one out because she was tired of Godzilla flicks and didn't want another Japanese monster movie. Boy, was she fooled!
The biggest problem I had with the film is the lack of sympathetic characters, including the titular hero. I simply couldn't find anyone to root for. The scriptwriters plainly want the viewer to feel sorry for the Yokai, Japanese mythological monsters. They display commendable family values and have formed a warm, supportive community among themselves. Humans in the film are depicted as cunning, ruthless murderers. Which might have been convincing but for gruesome scenes showing what happens to the monsters' human guests, who are innocent passers-by for all we know. It just doesn't wash.
My wife picked this one out because she was tired of Godzilla flicks and didn't want another Japanese monster movie. Boy, was she fooled!
Wow...this is awful!
wuschelbutsch28 August 2005
You read the summary? Yes? Then there is no need to say anything else about this movie.You got to see it yourself to believe how bad it is.
The story is a idiotic piece of sh*t with an absolutely silly message. The acting is wooden as hell. The creatures are as frightening as the Muppet's and the action is lame. The make-up department doesn't even reach work seen in Star Trek: Next Genration. The Crew doesn't seem to be very skilled at all. Uwe Boll is a directing genius in comparison to Tomoo Haraguchi. But I have to admit that the editing work is acceptable.
This picture isn't even worth to be called trash. It's just a big waste of time.
The story is a idiotic piece of sh*t with an absolutely silly message. The acting is wooden as hell. The creatures are as frightening as the Muppet's and the action is lame. The make-up department doesn't even reach work seen in Star Trek: Next Genration. The Crew doesn't seem to be very skilled at all. Uwe Boll is a directing genius in comparison to Tomoo Haraguchi. But I have to admit that the editing work is acceptable.
This picture isn't even worth to be called trash. It's just a big waste of time.
Watch it for what it is.
K_Todorov14 August 2008
Directed by Tomoo Haraguchi "Kibakichi" is an entertaining piece of samurai goodness. Using a traditional Kurosawaesque plot, throwing some fantasy/horror elements, some decent amount of gore and you get 90 minutes of exploitation cinema with a moral. Fun stuff.
Samurai werewolf Kibakichi wonders into an old town populated by Yokai (Japanese demons) and aids them against the treacherous humans trying to destroy them. And there you have it, the plot in one sentence. Of course there's more to it, as first Kibakichi questions the morality of the Yokai(they eat humans). Must deal with some personal issues in a subplot that is left unresolved. Must be moved by the Yokai's peaceful ways (sort of) and the bond they share. Must decide to leave town. Must hear the evil human traitors arrive in town with their samurai and machine guns. Must go slaughter humans in full kill mode.
It's a fun film, a remainder of the 70s and 80s chambara flicks, where gore and fantasy elements mingled together creating some ludicrously fun action scenes. Choreography and sword play are decent enough and Haraguchi shot those scenes well enough. The gore is cheesy, blood fountains are cool, but it's the creature design that really shines. Reminiscent of the old monster movies, they are what sets Kibakichi apart and are really enjoyable in a B-movie kinda way. And did I mention machine guns? Yes I think I did, but for those of you not listening, there are machine guns here, more like mini-guns to be precise and that is so cool.
We can talk about acting, but that's not really a point in these kind of films. Yes you get this kind of in your face melodrama, but it's not all too unbearable plus the film isn't really marketed as an emotional experience. Otherwise the acting was fairly decent meaning it doesn't get all too annoying.
Although in it's core "Kibakichi" is a cheesy samurai/monster film, it does tackle the issue of racism well enough. Specifically racism in Japanese society which, let's face it, even today is obviously present with foreigners and Japanese of mixed blood living in Japan don't get always get equal treatment.
If you're in the mood for a high powered, kick ass, samurai exploitation flick, then Kibakichi is a good recommendation. Tomoo Haraguchi did well with this film, here's hoping the sequel is as good as this one
Samurai werewolf Kibakichi wonders into an old town populated by Yokai (Japanese demons) and aids them against the treacherous humans trying to destroy them. And there you have it, the plot in one sentence. Of course there's more to it, as first Kibakichi questions the morality of the Yokai(they eat humans). Must deal with some personal issues in a subplot that is left unresolved. Must be moved by the Yokai's peaceful ways (sort of) and the bond they share. Must decide to leave town. Must hear the evil human traitors arrive in town with their samurai and machine guns. Must go slaughter humans in full kill mode.
It's a fun film, a remainder of the 70s and 80s chambara flicks, where gore and fantasy elements mingled together creating some ludicrously fun action scenes. Choreography and sword play are decent enough and Haraguchi shot those scenes well enough. The gore is cheesy, blood fountains are cool, but it's the creature design that really shines. Reminiscent of the old monster movies, they are what sets Kibakichi apart and are really enjoyable in a B-movie kinda way. And did I mention machine guns? Yes I think I did, but for those of you not listening, there are machine guns here, more like mini-guns to be precise and that is so cool.
We can talk about acting, but that's not really a point in these kind of films. Yes you get this kind of in your face melodrama, but it's not all too unbearable plus the film isn't really marketed as an emotional experience. Otherwise the acting was fairly decent meaning it doesn't get all too annoying.
Although in it's core "Kibakichi" is a cheesy samurai/monster film, it does tackle the issue of racism well enough. Specifically racism in Japanese society which, let's face it, even today is obviously present with foreigners and Japanese of mixed blood living in Japan don't get always get equal treatment.
If you're in the mood for a high powered, kick ass, samurai exploitation flick, then Kibakichi is a good recommendation. Tomoo Haraguchi did well with this film, here's hoping the sequel is as good as this one
Awful.
ritchie-nick15 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I picked up this movie with the thought that it would be a low-grade campy, poorly written, poorly acted, and poorly shot horror film, but it would at least be entertaining.
I was right about everything but the last bit.
There is nothing redeeming about this movie. The action sequences are awful, looking as though they were choreographed by a drunk homeless man the crew picked up off the streets of Tokyo. The writing is done in similar fashion, though perhaps "drunk homeless man" gives too much credit to the writing team. They may have taken the "100 monkeys at typewriters" metaphor literally, because that is the only remotely feasible explanation I can come up with for this nonsense. The acting is terrible, with the title character looking like constipated cardboard 95% of the time and looking like the East Bunny with Dracula fangs the other 5% (more on that travesty later.).
The movie itself resembles nothing more than a series of poorly edited clips that aren't even cut together in the correct order. There are several moments where something like this will happen: a character will fall over with no bullet wound, there will be a close-up shot of a gun firing, then another view of the dead character (now complete with gunshot wound to the head) in a totally different room than the one that they died in, in a completely different position! Also, the movie looks as though it were assembled of entirely first takes. There looks to be absolutely no effort and even less talent on the part of the camera/directing crew.
The final nail in the coffin has got to be the horrendous "special" effects. Bottle rockets for bullets. These "bullets" actually caused the only laugh for me in this movie as they were ricocheting off of the PAPER WALLS. Plastic skeletons. Rubber monsters. Sword sound effects that sound as though they were ripped straight from the first season of the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" TV show. Gallons of fake blood erupting out of the most ridiculous places. While excessive blood is usually funny in a movie of this style, in this case it feels as though they are trying to pass it off as serious. Never a good thing. Lastly, this ridiculous "werewolf" suit that resembles nothing so much as a mange-ridden Easter Bunny with Dracula fangs.
If I could rate this movie lower than a 1, I would.
I was right about everything but the last bit.
There is nothing redeeming about this movie. The action sequences are awful, looking as though they were choreographed by a drunk homeless man the crew picked up off the streets of Tokyo. The writing is done in similar fashion, though perhaps "drunk homeless man" gives too much credit to the writing team. They may have taken the "100 monkeys at typewriters" metaphor literally, because that is the only remotely feasible explanation I can come up with for this nonsense. The acting is terrible, with the title character looking like constipated cardboard 95% of the time and looking like the East Bunny with Dracula fangs the other 5% (more on that travesty later.).
The movie itself resembles nothing more than a series of poorly edited clips that aren't even cut together in the correct order. There are several moments where something like this will happen: a character will fall over with no bullet wound, there will be a close-up shot of a gun firing, then another view of the dead character (now complete with gunshot wound to the head) in a totally different room than the one that they died in, in a completely different position! Also, the movie looks as though it were assembled of entirely first takes. There looks to be absolutely no effort and even less talent on the part of the camera/directing crew.
The final nail in the coffin has got to be the horrendous "special" effects. Bottle rockets for bullets. These "bullets" actually caused the only laugh for me in this movie as they were ricocheting off of the PAPER WALLS. Plastic skeletons. Rubber monsters. Sword sound effects that sound as though they were ripped straight from the first season of the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" TV show. Gallons of fake blood erupting out of the most ridiculous places. While excessive blood is usually funny in a movie of this style, in this case it feels as though they are trying to pass it off as serious. Never a good thing. Lastly, this ridiculous "werewolf" suit that resembles nothing so much as a mange-ridden Easter Bunny with Dracula fangs.
If I could rate this movie lower than a 1, I would.
Story of a lone wanderer named Kibakashi
starblo7 March 2006
I found this movie pretty cool! Indeed the effects aren't like in the matrix, but hey, we don't all have millions to spend on effects.
The plot is simple: Kibakishi is a samurai/werewolf who wanders around. And some day arrives in a village that is different from others and starts playing a good game of dice at the "casino". The story takes place in Japan of course, (I don't know the time it takes place, but ballistic guns are a new concept, so maybe in the 1900s, about the same time as in the movie The Last samurai).
So like I said the effects aren't hardcore, but they are well done, and the blood spilling effects make you think of Kill Bill, haha. The actors are marvelous, they really help you immerse in this fantastic world. Even though the movies isn't as appealing as a Hollywood big cash blockbuster, it was quite entertaining and the way the story is brought in and presented is worth the while.
The plot is simple: Kibakishi is a samurai/werewolf who wanders around. And some day arrives in a village that is different from others and starts playing a good game of dice at the "casino". The story takes place in Japan of course, (I don't know the time it takes place, but ballistic guns are a new concept, so maybe in the 1900s, about the same time as in the movie The Last samurai).
So like I said the effects aren't hardcore, but they are well done, and the blood spilling effects make you think of Kill Bill, haha. The actors are marvelous, they really help you immerse in this fantastic world. Even though the movies isn't as appealing as a Hollywood big cash blockbuster, it was quite entertaining and the way the story is brought in and presented is worth the while.
Dub be good to me.
TheOnlyGoodHumanIsADeadHuman1 October 2005
Where to end?
This movie is kinda woeful, you realise after about 10 mins that they had very little money indeed, what they had they seem to have saved by skimping on actors.
The Plot? That doesn't matter in the least. The effects? Very poor. The editing? Not too bad actually and the look of the film is half decent.
But none of that's important, none of it, what is important is the dubbed version.
Its simply beautiful. Lip sinked by a blind man, scripted by an inbred and performed, by the sound of it, by a motley band of monkeys, castratoes and men who have had all trace of emotion removed from them.
High pitched comedy voices and cackling abound. Oh the cackling, must be the only film in history to have its own cackling department. Any old dialogue that sort of fits is used, followed by half a second of their mouths still moving. That's when they don't simply fill the gap with cackling. You may have noted there's a lot of cackling in this movie (to be truthful some of that cackling might be mu ha hah ing or even gaffawing, only the experts from the cackling department would be able to tell us).
I suppose the plot should be given a mention. Werewolf samurai, fights monsters, some of those monsters are human. With the usual mix of clans missions etc, it does have spider whores, which can only be a good thing. It moves briskly enough and has enough oddness to entertain.
Perfect for a booze and pizza night.
This movie is kinda woeful, you realise after about 10 mins that they had very little money indeed, what they had they seem to have saved by skimping on actors.
The Plot? That doesn't matter in the least. The effects? Very poor. The editing? Not too bad actually and the look of the film is half decent.
But none of that's important, none of it, what is important is the dubbed version.
Its simply beautiful. Lip sinked by a blind man, scripted by an inbred and performed, by the sound of it, by a motley band of monkeys, castratoes and men who have had all trace of emotion removed from them.
High pitched comedy voices and cackling abound. Oh the cackling, must be the only film in history to have its own cackling department. Any old dialogue that sort of fits is used, followed by half a second of their mouths still moving. That's when they don't simply fill the gap with cackling. You may have noted there's a lot of cackling in this movie (to be truthful some of that cackling might be mu ha hah ing or even gaffawing, only the experts from the cackling department would be able to tell us).
I suppose the plot should be given a mention. Werewolf samurai, fights monsters, some of those monsters are human. With the usual mix of clans missions etc, it does have spider whores, which can only be a good thing. It moves briskly enough and has enough oddness to entertain.
Perfect for a booze and pizza night.
Traveling Cowboy movie with a Werewolf-Ronin replacing Clint Eastwood.
gothor25 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
A Samurai is invited to stay in a gambling house run by monsters in disguise. Despite eating the occasional welcher, the monsters really aren't so bad. But wait a minute: Traveling cowboy... finds a home... things are gonna go wrong, right? Oh yeah. In a big way.
The middle of this movie is pretty slow paced, but all that is made up for in the film's ending and beginning, which action fans have got to see to believe. The werewolf costumes are great and the swordplay is spot on.
Don't believe the haters. This movie is great fun. And the dubbing isn't all that bad either (except for the one princess girl, who, I kid you not, *might* have been a man.) P.S. Kibakichi has one of the greatest theme songs I've ever heard. It's catchy, heroic and just plain awesome. If I were a samurai-ronin, you can bet I'd rip off Kibakichi's themesong for my own!
The middle of this movie is pretty slow paced, but all that is made up for in the film's ending and beginning, which action fans have got to see to believe. The werewolf costumes are great and the swordplay is spot on.
Don't believe the haters. This movie is great fun. And the dubbing isn't all that bad either (except for the one princess girl, who, I kid you not, *might* have been a man.) P.S. Kibakichi has one of the greatest theme songs I've ever heard. It's catchy, heroic and just plain awesome. If I were a samurai-ronin, you can bet I'd rip off Kibakichi's themesong for my own!
"A long time ago human and monsters named yokai lived in perfect harmony....
sushikat817 May 2007
Kibakichi is a werewolf/samurai who has left his destroyed village and ventured into a dangerous village filled creatures, danger and secrets...
"A long time ago human and monsters named yokai lived in perfect harmony... but as time went by humans forgot their fears.. and in the fourth year...the government assembled a team to exterminate the yokai.. the weakened yokai escaped, deep into the mountains to escape contact with the human world.. some disguised themselves as women and men to hide.."
From the very beginning of this movie you will get a sense of its low budget, and mediocre acting. But for the anime fan, you will almost immediately feel like this is a movie that would be incredible as an anime.. in the first scene you encounter a pretty cheesy fight scene...but the shot of the grass fields and the blood dripping from Kibakichi's sword screamed an anime shot to me!
There are plenty more moments in this movie where you will find yourself wanting to giggle at the cheesy shots... But as the movie goes along, I couldn't help but find myself strangely attracted to it. There are some beautiful shots in this film, and an entertaining plot. I found the storyline very unique, and the characters intriguing. It was a fun ride from beginning to end for anyone with a taste for indy-anime-Japanese film lovers.
"A long time ago human and monsters named yokai lived in perfect harmony... but as time went by humans forgot their fears.. and in the fourth year...the government assembled a team to exterminate the yokai.. the weakened yokai escaped, deep into the mountains to escape contact with the human world.. some disguised themselves as women and men to hide.."
From the very beginning of this movie you will get a sense of its low budget, and mediocre acting. But for the anime fan, you will almost immediately feel like this is a movie that would be incredible as an anime.. in the first scene you encounter a pretty cheesy fight scene...but the shot of the grass fields and the blood dripping from Kibakichi's sword screamed an anime shot to me!
There are plenty more moments in this movie where you will find yourself wanting to giggle at the cheesy shots... But as the movie goes along, I couldn't help but find myself strangely attracted to it. There are some beautiful shots in this film, and an entertaining plot. I found the storyline very unique, and the characters intriguing. It was a fun ride from beginning to end for anyone with a taste for indy-anime-Japanese film lovers.
Cool Idea Ruined By Half-Assed Production.
BigHardcoreRed8 September 2005
Kibakichi is a self-titled movie about it's main character, a samurai/werewolf type. The werewolf things, I believe are called Yokai. The Yokai are at war with the humans, who have driven them away from themselves. In a nutshell, that is the movie. The humans and Yokai fighting against each other until one side wins. Not much of a plot.
The movie had an old kung fu style feel to it, kind of like watching Kung Fu Theatre back in the 80's. The best scene in the movie was most likely the first one, where Kibakichi (Ryuuji Harada) fights off a horde of attackers. The movie was all right until the talking began. Whoever was responsible for casting the dubbed voices should be flogged. It was as if the guy from Kung Pow was in charge, or just as easily Matt Stone and Trey Parker. It was hard to take any of these characters seriously, including Kibakichi, himself.
Although there were some semi-cool scenes here, there is not much in favor of making it worth your movie, even for a rental (online or otherwise). Honestly, it really is just not worth it. 3/10
The movie had an old kung fu style feel to it, kind of like watching Kung Fu Theatre back in the 80's. The best scene in the movie was most likely the first one, where Kibakichi (Ryuuji Harada) fights off a horde of attackers. The movie was all right until the talking began. Whoever was responsible for casting the dubbed voices should be flogged. It was as if the guy from Kung Pow was in charge, or just as easily Matt Stone and Trey Parker. It was hard to take any of these characters seriously, including Kibakichi, himself.
Although there were some semi-cool scenes here, there is not much in favor of making it worth your movie, even for a rental (online or otherwise). Honestly, it really is just not worth it. 3/10
If your looking for a fun Friday night movie for your bros to watch this is it
dagon2567 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Wow this movie is great, the very idea of a werewolf samurai is so great, it makes me want to get a US studio to make a werewolf samurai series like this one, but I'm here to review the movie not praise it up its butt, so like my other reviews I going from plot, effects, and finally sound, so here it goes!!!!!!!!!!
Plot= OK I will say this the plot is bad, but it does its job.its kind of like a Inuyasha episode only it was made by Quentin Taratino and thats kick all kinds of butt.One thing I will say is that its full of useless filler that could have been cut out for more action scenes but because of its budget it had to, I give the plot a 6 out of 10 not bad but not great.
Effects= One of the strengths of this movie is its effects. Its has a power ranger feel because of the cheapness of the monster suits and the fight scenes in said suits. The werewolf suit in this movie is great, Its not too human not to wolf so you get some emotion out of the actor in the suit and that adds a touch of contexts to it. I give the effects 7 out of 10, its good to see the Japanese do what they do best.
Sound= one word of this one, bad, its almost nonexistent, but I will say its better then video violence, Nuff said. I give its sound a 3 out of 10, it could better.
I with that I proud to rate this movie 7 out of 10, its great to watch with the bros and maybe someone special.
Plot= OK I will say this the plot is bad, but it does its job.its kind of like a Inuyasha episode only it was made by Quentin Taratino and thats kick all kinds of butt.One thing I will say is that its full of useless filler that could have been cut out for more action scenes but because of its budget it had to, I give the plot a 6 out of 10 not bad but not great.
Effects= One of the strengths of this movie is its effects. Its has a power ranger feel because of the cheapness of the monster suits and the fight scenes in said suits. The werewolf suit in this movie is great, Its not too human not to wolf so you get some emotion out of the actor in the suit and that adds a touch of contexts to it. I give the effects 7 out of 10, its good to see the Japanese do what they do best.
Sound= one word of this one, bad, its almost nonexistent, but I will say its better then video violence, Nuff said. I give its sound a 3 out of 10, it could better.
I with that I proud to rate this movie 7 out of 10, its great to watch with the bros and maybe someone special.
This is a Midnight Screening Movie
mmushrm20 February 2011
Kibakichi is one of those movies they screen at Mifnight at those small family own cinemas or on cable TV. If you go watch it with that mindset it is not a bad movie. But if you are into plot, character driven movies with great acting and plot, skip this movie.
The movie is OK, not bad but abit slow until the end. The acting is B grade, the monsters are rubber costumes. The fights scenes are not bad, the end was rather good. It takes a lot of athleticism to fight and run and jump in the rubber costumes with explosions going off. (if that sounds good to you then this movie is for you!).
While I wont say its a great or even a good movie, it has interested me enough to go look for Kibakichi 2.
The movie is OK, not bad but abit slow until the end. The acting is B grade, the monsters are rubber costumes. The fights scenes are not bad, the end was rather good. It takes a lot of athleticism to fight and run and jump in the rubber costumes with explosions going off. (if that sounds good to you then this movie is for you!).
While I wont say its a great or even a good movie, it has interested me enough to go look for Kibakichi 2.
This movie is crazy
BandSAboutMovies25 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Once, the Yokai and humans lived in peace, but as humanity grew wiser and more dependent on technology, they started taking the lands of the monsters and wiping them out. Now, the few supernatural creatures left have gone into hiding.
Kibakichi is one of their number, a ronin samurai werewolf who has as much in common with Clint Eastwood's The Man With No Name as he does with Lon Chaney Jr.'s Larry Talbot.
He finds his way to a town run by demons who have started a gambling den that attracts humans who have no idea that their hosts are hidden behind magic. However, an army of humans who are actively wiping out Yokai are on their way, armed with near-modern weaponry despite the rest of this movie seeming as if it takes place in the feudal era.
This film has pretty much everything I want in one more: blood spraying in geysers, quiet and moody heroes, plenty of monsters and lots of fighting. It pretty much feels like one of those weird NES-era games like Kabuki Quantum Fighter come to life.
Imagine my delight when I learned that there is a sequel. Now who do I talk to about the Wolfguy and Kibakichi crossover?
Kibakichi is one of their number, a ronin samurai werewolf who has as much in common with Clint Eastwood's The Man With No Name as he does with Lon Chaney Jr.'s Larry Talbot.
He finds his way to a town run by demons who have started a gambling den that attracts humans who have no idea that their hosts are hidden behind magic. However, an army of humans who are actively wiping out Yokai are on their way, armed with near-modern weaponry despite the rest of this movie seeming as if it takes place in the feudal era.
This film has pretty much everything I want in one more: blood spraying in geysers, quiet and moody heroes, plenty of monsters and lots of fighting. It pretty much feels like one of those weird NES-era games like Kabuki Quantum Fighter come to life.
Imagine my delight when I learned that there is a sequel. Now who do I talk to about the Wolfguy and Kibakichi crossover?
Incredibly weird, but awesome, movie!
Envy207113 November 2005
I bought the DVD of Kibakichi, used from Blockbuster, simply on a whim. My friends and I were sifting through the racks when the unusual title caught my eye. As soon as I read the summary on the backcover I had to get it! Werewolf samurai? Demonic geishas? Come on, this had to be the most unique film ever created!
This film will definitely not appeal to everybody. I'm a hardcore fan of both samurai flicks and anime, so it probably appealed to me more than most people. The atmosphere of this film is perfect for the mysterious setting (the weather is almost always dark, overcast, and windy). Acting is subdued (you won't find William Shatner here), but strong and suitable for the type of characters involved. The special effects are laughably low-budget, which adds a nice, campy feel to the whole production. One can forgive the shoddy sfx, however, because they supply the only real laughs in the movie. The final battle scene alone is worth the money of buying or renting it. I guarantee that it is something that you have never seen before and never will again. Strangely enough, the werewolf samurai only transforms once, and not during a full-moon either. Only when he is unable to keep his emotions under control.
The bottom line is that this is a very cool, very interesting film that very few people on this side of the Pacific will see. If you like samurai flicks, the fantasy genre, Japanese period films, the supernatural, or are just feeling adventurous, check this one out. Even if you normally watch only conventional Hollywood fare you should give this a go. It'll give you something new to think about (or at least some pretty freakish dreams).
This film will definitely not appeal to everybody. I'm a hardcore fan of both samurai flicks and anime, so it probably appealed to me more than most people. The atmosphere of this film is perfect for the mysterious setting (the weather is almost always dark, overcast, and windy). Acting is subdued (you won't find William Shatner here), but strong and suitable for the type of characters involved. The special effects are laughably low-budget, which adds a nice, campy feel to the whole production. One can forgive the shoddy sfx, however, because they supply the only real laughs in the movie. The final battle scene alone is worth the money of buying or renting it. I guarantee that it is something that you have never seen before and never will again. Strangely enough, the werewolf samurai only transforms once, and not during a full-moon either. Only when he is unable to keep his emotions under control.
The bottom line is that this is a very cool, very interesting film that very few people on this side of the Pacific will see. If you like samurai flicks, the fantasy genre, Japanese period films, the supernatural, or are just feeling adventurous, check this one out. Even if you normally watch only conventional Hollywood fare you should give this a go. It'll give you something new to think about (or at least some pretty freakish dreams).
Kibakichi:Don't Awake the Beast
Scarecrow-8823 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
For quite a while humans and the Yokai shape-shifting monsters were able to live in harmony. But, soon the racist humans wanted the Yokai out of the equation with war sending the monsters into exile. Master Onizo wishes for harmony to exist once again and has benefited from what he believed was a satisfying relationship with Yamayi-sama, a leader-on-the-rise for the humans hoping to win a place in the hierarchy of the Lord. To decidedly earn a high position, Yamayi-sama plans to wipe out the Yokai remaining alive under Onizo's clan, betraying his trust and ruining his vision of peace. Kikio, a human, is actually Onizo's woman and a picture of beauty who is spiritually driven often seen on her knees praying. Enter in the Yokai Samurai warrior Kibakichi(Ryuuji Harada whose penetrating anguished eyes peer from a mass of hair)who is a loner often living amongst the humans, who now hates them with a prolonging passion. He trusted them once, like Onizo does now, and paid the price for it costing the lives of an entire peaceful village of hidden Yokai who were wiped out by the blind-sided human attack. Kibakichi makes his way into the clan of Onizo, whose major interest to the outside world is his illegal gambling table. In an interesting note, various Yokai killers, often find their way into secret rooms by Onizo where they are killed by the monsters. Kibakichi tries desperately to warn Onizo and his men against trusting Yamayi-sama, but the unrelenting hope for peace against the endless violence is all the boss is consumed with. As one would expect, Yamayi-sama does plan to attack what he considers a thorn in his side and that would be Onizo's village using more modern weaponry brought in from England..a massive rotating machine gun that will eliminate the more primitive foes who merely use swords. Dubbing it the end result a massacre, would be an understatement. But, when you unleash the beast within Kibakichi all the machine guns, men, and grenades may not stop him.
A stunning film, featuring some amazing swordplay, beautiful photography and lighting(I adore how Tomoo Haraguchi and cinematographer Shôji Ebara hit a patch of light on characters' faces as they sit amongst darkened rooms and also shade their monsters only giving the viewer enough during a portion of the film to know that they are not human), and some gut-wrenching gore. Lots of decapitated heads and arms, blood that squirts in endless supplies as complete arms are sliced off. One sequence shows, in Kibakichi's opening battle, a sword sticking in the ground with a chopped off hand still clutching it! Kibakichi is essentially a werewolf, but director Haraguchi waits to unveil that beast late in the major showdown when the humans try to hit him with everything they got. Nozomi Andô as Onizo's human love Kikyo is very beautiful underneath a quiet exterior.
I watched the subtitled version, so I saw the best the film could offer me. I know it's received some criticism on here, but I had one hell of a good time with this flick. The monster battle at the end and the intense gunfire exploding all around Kibakichi in werewolf form as the city is destroyed around him are amazing action set-pieces. Highly recommended to those with fairly strong stomachs.
A stunning film, featuring some amazing swordplay, beautiful photography and lighting(I adore how Tomoo Haraguchi and cinematographer Shôji Ebara hit a patch of light on characters' faces as they sit amongst darkened rooms and also shade their monsters only giving the viewer enough during a portion of the film to know that they are not human), and some gut-wrenching gore. Lots of decapitated heads and arms, blood that squirts in endless supplies as complete arms are sliced off. One sequence shows, in Kibakichi's opening battle, a sword sticking in the ground with a chopped off hand still clutching it! Kibakichi is essentially a werewolf, but director Haraguchi waits to unveil that beast late in the major showdown when the humans try to hit him with everything they got. Nozomi Andô as Onizo's human love Kikyo is very beautiful underneath a quiet exterior.
I watched the subtitled version, so I saw the best the film could offer me. I know it's received some criticism on here, but I had one hell of a good time with this flick. The monster battle at the end and the intense gunfire exploding all around Kibakichi in werewolf form as the city is destroyed around him are amazing action set-pieces. Highly recommended to those with fairly strong stomachs.
One of the oddest, yet most entertaining movies I have ever seen.
Keiji-sama8 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The summary of Kibakichi: Bakko-yokaiden itself is enough to get me interested in this movie. I've seen plenty of movies, especially those made within the last year, generally normal-to-high budget movies, yet none of them have caught my interest like this one. The reasons why this movie is so horribly interesting, despite its obviously low budget are fairly obvious: First of all, you've got the fact that it's a monster movie where the humans--for the most part, Kikio is a different story entirely--are the villains; then you've got a werewolf-reminiscent samurai for a main character; among all this, which alone would get me watching the movie, no doubt, you've got demon geisha seducing and eating humans, and demons using gambling to draw in their source of food.
The only thing that I suggest about this movie is that, above all else, you avoid the dubbing and watch it in its original format. You'll get a MUCH better movie if you do that.
The only thing that I suggest about this movie is that, above all else, you avoid the dubbing and watch it in its original format. You'll get a MUCH better movie if you do that.
Wickedly fun action-horror
kingismyworld24 March 2007
This movie is awesome. yes the special fx are cheap and the monsters horrid but the movie has a good sense of fun and actually a great premise. Kibakichi is a lone samurai who is also a werewolf and roams the countryside. He stops in a small town ruled by Yokai (monsters). The leader has made a pact with the yakuza with promises of a new beginning for the yokai. As Kibakichi unearths a deadly plot to rid the Yokai, his inner beast is unleashed and the finale is one bloody showdown. With guns, swords, blood and gore, this movie delivers. Yes it's slow but the performances are awesome and at 95 minutes moves quickly. I got this for 5 bucks and it's sequel.
Enjoy the movie for what it is a fun action-horror film before Hollywood remakes it soon.
Enjoy the movie for what it is a fun action-horror film before Hollywood remakes it soon.
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