Monster City
Publisher
Manga Entertainment
Director
Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Production
Madhouse
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Film
Running time
84 mins
Year
1988
Monster City (Demon City Shinjuku)
By John Huxley
20th May 04  Seen Wicked City? Then don't bother to read the review, because you know what to expect here - just not quite as good. Things start is very promising with an excellent fight sequence between a guy in a big coat and a dude with cool sideburns (reminded me of Wolverine from the X-Men). After the sideburns guy kicks the bucket we're introduced to his son Kyoya Izayoi, a less facially haired challenged kinda guy but not quite as focused as his dad, and something of a womanizer. Kyoya is asked to rescue the President after his kidnaping by unknown forces that lie deep within the Demon City, a part of Tokyo inhabited by demons and rumored to be the site of the resurrection of the Demon World. Kyoya and the President's daughter together must fight to prevent this, but Kyoya must first learn to control his abilities and discover hidden talent passed down from his father. The two unlikely heros find a few allies along the way, including a rather interesting character who is neither demon nor human, nothing more than an observer. The Demon City is full of atmosphere, and the colour scheme is surprisingly bright for an anime that takes place mainly at night. As with Yoshiaki Kawajiri's other films, Monster City's characters are less intriguing than the enemies that they are forced to fight. Highlights here include a massive six-legged beast with a terrible speech impediment, a bendy woman heel bent on dripping acid in faces and a little girl who wants nothing more than to find her parents (which involves killing lots of people, obviously). The design on offer here is first-rate (although not original) as per Yoshiaki Kawajiri's usual standard. What Monster City lacks is an interesting plot. I gather that it's based upon another work, so perhaps not everything is included here, limited to a budget. Whatever the case, it merely lacks pacing and detail. Characters, like the said observer, are introduced yet hardly ever used again, never mind unutilized to their full potential. Running in at just under 85 minutes, it's not surprising that it doesn't contain everything I'd want it too. Because what is there is pretty sound, with good animation and solid direction, on top of the usual excellent design work. Everything fits together to at least an adequate standard, it just lacks the all-round goodness of Ninja Scroll and the 'eww' factor of Wicked City, but as an addition to those two it represents some of the best horror anime money can buy.
-- John Huxley 20th May 04
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