A peace treaty has been in effect for centuries to prevent a war between Earth and the Black World, a parallel universe home to supernatural demons and unknown to most humans. This treaty is about to be renewed, but the Black World's evil forces want to ensure it won't be. To ensure it is, bitter human Taki Renzaburo (voiced by Yusaku Yara in the Japanese-language version) and sexy demon Makie (voiced by Toshiko Fujita) are charged with protecting a diplomat, Mayart (Ichiro Nagai), who holds the key to peace. But, with an army of multidimensional assassins on their trail, it won't be easy.
Based on Black Guard, the first in Hideyuki Kikuchi's Wicked City novel series, this adaptation by director and lead animator Yoshiaki Kawajiri and screenwriter Norio Osada is maybe the most mature animated movie I've ever seen; it's easily the most erotic. Just for starters there's a brutal gang rape and prostitution in contemporary Japan is one of the central themes. But equally surprisingly, it also possesses a narrative film noir streak, with the two protagonists often conducting themselves like private detectives in a 1940s crime film. This also felt reminiscent to me of Men in Black somewhat, despite predating that film and its own source material.
It has a few technical inconsistencies, and the dialogue is occasionally wooden, but those shortcomings aside, Wicked City is wicked fun. Just keep this anime flick far away from the young'uns' eyes and hands.
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