A Kite

After her parents were brutally murdered, school girl Sawa was taken into custody by Akai and Kanie, a pair of detectives assigned to her case. Corrupt and immoral, they train the girl to become a weapon, dangling the promise of vengeance in front of the hapless orphan. From celebrities and politicians to influential businessmen, Sawa is tasked with assassinating targets selected arbitrarily by her crooked overseers. She executes every mission without fail, and her distinctive weapon has become infamous among the city's police officers.

Physically abused by Akai, who is no more righteous than her victims, Sawa begins to dream of a life unhindered by the shadow of her "guardians." One day, Sawa meets Oburi, a fellow orphan and vigilante. They quickly form a bond born of desperation and disgruntlement at the unjust world, envisioning a future free from the stain of murder.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Sawa Main

Oburi Main

Oyamada, Shingo Japanese

Akai Supporting

Shibusawa, Gorou Japanese

Kanie Supporting

Yamada, Tatsuo Japanese

Koshinaka, Osamu Producer

Umetsu, Yasuomi Director, Storyboard, Creator, Key Animation, Animation Director, Screenplay, Character Design

Tsuruoka, Youta Sound Director

Kusakawa, Keizou Episode Director

Reviews

Apr 9, 2008

5hreddy

Recommended

Story: Well, first things first. This isn't a Hentai in the 'traditional' sense. To call it so would be a misrepresentation of the movie. It's more of an action-packed drama which happens to feature nudity which actually fits with main plot. The synopsis pretty much sums it up and is essentially about a 'hit-girl' (as opposed to hitman).
For what is essentially and hour-long anime, it really packs a lot in there. Lots of bloody violence which is nicely balanced with the more emotional side of things (plus some nudity to add to the dimension of things). I felt the plot moved at a nice ... even rate and I didn't feel bored at any point.

Animation: Well, for a 10 year-old anime is was very well animated. Everything looked smooth and sharp and the slightly more 'old-skool' style simply added to the grittiness of the content. The fight scenes were one of the highlights as the choreography was really well done and really got you into the scene.

Sound: Does exactly what it says on the tin. No particularly memorable themes or anything but the sound effects were exactly as you would expect.

Character: Without giving too much away. The characters developed well over the course of the anime and you empathise with the main characters and end up disgusted by the way some of the others treat them in such a way that you expect the director was aiming for. A definite plus.

Enjoyment: As you would expect I enjoyed it quite a bite due to the reasons mentioned above and I wouldn't be against possibly watching it again.

Overall, I would have to say that if you're looking for some proper hentai then look elsewhere, but if you want to see a good piece of quality anime then this is something I'd recommend :) .

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Aug 28, 2011

GhostCell

Mixed Feelings

Short and to the point. The Action as is the best part of the anime well done and animated (aside from one or two parts). The art is the second best part of the anime it holds up even in 2011 with its nicely detailed world and characters. If you're a fan of the late 90s art style you're going to love the nostalgia factor.

Sadly it misses out on what I believe would have made the anime great, the relationship between the two protagonists. At just 56 minutes it's barely enough time to allow the viewer to see the two protagonists connect with each ... other. They waisted valuable minutes on sex scenes instead of relationships building.
The soundtrack is mostly poorly chosen saxophone based jazz pieces which, in my opinion, are not worth hearing.

Overall it gets a 5 out 10 for failing in the end to succeed in one of the anime's main selling point, how two teenage hitmen grow their relationship through the hardships of having two live on the edge of society.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Mar 28, 2026

DanteDemonZ

Not Recommended

Kite grabs you with its intensity but quickly exhausts by pushing boundaries and being one of the edgiest, most over-the-top films you’ll watch. Ultimately, the film aims to unsettle through its blend of striking visuals and a grim, character-driven story. Sawa, thrust into a corrupt, predatory world, is shaped by trauma and forced into a life she never chose, establishing the film’s uncompromising tone early on.

But the film doesn’t trust that groundwork and instead relies on shock to an excessive, unnecessary, and disturbing degree. The relentless sexual violence and degradation go far beyond the needs of its themes. It doesn’t explore; it insists and lingers, ... numbing rather than impacting. The message is clear early, but the film repeats it, louder and more explicit, as if afraid it won’t land otherwise. Purpose fades, leaving only extremity.

That excess undercuts the emotion, which is frustrating, especially when moments of strength surface. Sawa’s bond with Oburi and the quiet revelation that she already knew the truth about her parents hint at a more grounded, tragic story of agency and identity. These human moments offer hope for meaning but are overshadowed by escalation and never fully developed.

That’s why the ending resonates. For a moment, everything pays off. Sawa’s revenge, the removal of the earrings, and the reclaiming of control feel earned, finally aligning with her character’s themes. The final sequence offers something rare: hope. It slows, letting you breathe, and implies she may find peace.

Then, with merciless speed, it crushes all hope.

The twist of the new child assassin killing Oburi doesn’t feel natural; it feels like the film deliberately denies you any resolution. The idea of a recurring cycle of abuse is clear, but it doesn’t hit as powerfully or tragically. It just frustrates. After so much extreme content, that brief moment of promise feels like the film’s only debt to the viewer. Taking it away feels empty, like the ordeal was for nothing.

This frustration grows as the film mistakes escalation for depth. It believes that being more extreme, graphic, and uncomfortable adds meaning. But it doesn’t. Eventually, it’s no longer thought-provoking—just exhausting and unpleasant. Constant intrusion, lack of restraint, and an obsession with full detail make it feel less like a story and more like gross set pieces strung together. Instead of engaging with themes, it drowns them in excess, feeling almost juvenile in its attempt to shock.

There’s something worthwhile here, but it’s buried under so much excess that it’s hard to take seriously. The extremity and graphicness become so overblown that they actively undermine the film's mature themes. Instead of feeling like a dark, meaningful story, it often comes across as edgy for the sake of edginess, and by the end, it leaves you more frustrated than moved.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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