A member of an elite paramilitary counter-terrorism unit becomes traumatized after witnessing the suicide bombing of a young girl and is forced to undergo retraining. However, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a key player in a dispute between rival police divisions, as he finds himself increasingly involved with the sister of the girl he saw die.
Direction
Okiura's obsessive animation of heavy gear movement—every belt buckle matters.
Production
1960s alternate-history Berlin-by-way-of-Tokyo production design.
Cinematography
Red hoods in gray streets—every frame could hang in a gallery.
Director
Hiroyuki Okiura
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of Oshii's 'Kerberos Saga'—the same universe as the live-action 'Red Spectacles' and 'StrayDog', making this anime a prequel of sorts to an obscure film trilogy.
The infamous 'red riding hood' scene required animators to study actual German military gear from the 1960s; Okiura rejected early designs for being 'too cool' instead of authentically heavy.
JP
