Anime Film Review: Demon City Shinjuku

Simian Practicalist
Jul 29
3 min read

English Title: Demon City Shinjuku

Japanese Title: 魔界都市〈新宿〉[lit. demon/monster city: Shinjuku]

Director(s): Kawajiri Yoshiaki

Screenwriter(s): Okamura Kaori

Studio: Madhouse

Released: 1988

Runtime: 1h 19m

Starring: Hori Hideyuki, Tsuru Hiromi, Kobayashi Kiyoshi, Yara Yuusaku

Based on the 1982 novel by Kikuchi Hideyuki, this is a dark fantasy-horror set in modern-day Tokyo. This is not to be confused with Wicked City (1987) that was also directed by Kawajiri and based on a novel by Kikuchi.

I have not read the novel so this brief review is of the film only. The film opens with a duel between swordsmen Genichirou and Rebi Ra. I am not suggesting any strong similarities but it does remind one of Highlander (1986). Either way, Rebi Ra is victorious and causes a massive earthquake that shatters a portion of the city (Shinjuku), swearing to some demon lord that he will transform the world into a suitable hell for demons in 10 years.

The dramatic visuals indicate that Rebi Ra has done an effective job at turning the place into a hellhole but he apparently needs more time to do more.

So, the experts cannot explain what happened to Shinjuku which, 10 years later, remains in ruins. The plot follows a young man named Izayoi Kyoya who goes on the quest to kill Rebi Ra before he can finish the job of turning the world into hell. Kyoya is given the mission by an old man but is initially reluctant, as is often the case with heroes…

But enter the cliché motivation.

Five years earlier, World Federation President Rama Kozumi took office and solved the nuke problem and the Israel–Arab problem. It is unclear whether Rama is the first world president but the one-world government apparently works in this fictional universe. So, when there is an assassination attempt on him, his daughter, Sayaka, wants to help.

Sayaka has no fighting or magical skills but she is conveniently pretty and brave and is willing to enter Shinjuku by herself. Kyoya, of course, can’t allow that so he goes in too.

Visually, it is excellently drawn and rendered, particularly the wide shots of the dark, ruined city and atmosphere. Like Wicked City, there is that noir tone, such as the use of silhouettes and shadows, even though the premise and plot are more consistent to a straightforward dark fantasy-horror.

Given that it is horror, it is not meant to be action-packed. It does have its set pieces but it could use more action. It obviously has its quiet moments, although they do not always have sufficient tension and suspense.

The pacing is not fast. At a relatively short runtime of 1h 19m, it is not too slow but it can be tighter. Whilst it does not outright drag, it feels longer than it is.

Fortunately, unlike Wicked City, it does not have sex and violence just for the sake of it. It is tame in comparison but, more importantly, it is measured and mostly fits the story. If anything, as already mentioned, it can use more action.

Ultimately, the premise is simple: it is a quest to kill the bad guy with a sword and save the world. This is fine in itself, but too many things happen too conveniently. There are obviously obstacles on the way to Rebi Ra and it wisely avoids the boring “gauntlet run” but it could be more intriguing. The pacing can be better and none of the characters are particularly interesting. There is nothing wrong with cardboard characters if something interesting can be done with them, but there isn’t.

In short, it looks great but it’s a bit flat.