Demon City Shinjuku

Original Title: 魔界都市〈新宿〉
Romanized: Makai Toshi Shinjuku
Literal: Demon City Shinjuku

Plot Synopsis

Fifteen tears ago, the evil sorcerer Rebi Rah made a pact with the demons of the underworld--if they would give him power, he would give them the world! Shinjuku was devastated by the power of the underworld and in the years following the disaster became known as the Monster City, inhabited by few and avoided by all others. Now Rebi Rah's plans to open the gate to the demon world are almost complete. Master Rai, keeper of the mystical art of nempo, chooses Kyoya Izayoi, whose father was killed trying to stop Rebi Rah fifteen years ago, to go forth and slay the evil sorcerer. Accompanied by the President's beautiful daughter Sayaka, Kyoya must survive the hazards of the Monster City and master the power of nempo within him to kill Rebi Rah before the whole world is doomed forever!

Quick Review

Rating: 3 / 5
Reviewer: Arcane
Review Date: 2005-01-31

Demon City Shinjuku (or Monster City, as it's known in the UK and Australia) is yet another horror action film by master of the genre Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Neither his best known nor his most controversial work, it has all the usual touches--dark but clean and detailed Madhouse animation, tough characters with attitudes and really evil bad guys, but seems to lack that extra sparkle (and sexually charged horror) which can really make Kawajiri's anime stand out. The story is hokey and the action less plentiful, less gory, and less impressive that you'd hope, but there are still enough cool scenes, settings, and twists to keep things interesting.

Demon City Shinjuku may not be Kawajiri's best work, but this film is still worth a look, especially if you're looking for an entry-level demonic horror/action film.

US DVD Review

The hybrid DVD throws in some trailers as a bonus, and that's pretty much it.

Content Guide

Appropriately rated 13-up by USM.

Violence: 3 - Demon violence, but tame by comparison with the standard.

Nudity: 2 - The Serpent Demon and a very brief abortive rape attempt.

Sex/Mature Themes: 2 - The same two scenes and some loose sexual references.

Language: 3 - Free exercising of the right to have a potty mouth.

Notes and Trivia

Masterminded by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, well known for demonic horror movies such as Wicked City.

Availability

Available from US Manga Corps on hybrid DVD. Previously also available on subtitled or dubbed VHS.

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