If you’ve spent any time digging through the gritty, “girls with guns” archives of 90s anime, you’ve definitely stumbled across Kite (or A Kite). Directed by the legendary Yasuomi Umetsu, this 1998 OVA is one of those titles that everyone seems to have an opinion on, yet it remains one of the most controversial entries in anime history. Whether you know it from Tarantino’s recommendations or that one No Doubt music video, Kite is a visceral experience that isn’t easily forgotten
The Story: A Cycle of Violence
At its core, Kite follows Sawa, a high school student who was orphaned after the gruesome murder of her parents. She is taken in by two detectives, Akai and Kanie, who aren’t exactly “good guys”. They train her to be a cold-blooded assassin, using her to eliminate corrupt officials and criminals. Sawa’s signature is her use of custom-made exploding bullets that make her hits notoriously messy.
Things get complicated when Sawa meets Oburi, another young assassin working for her guardians. Their bond becomes a rare glimmer of hope in a world that has treated them like tools, eventually giving Sawa the courage to try and break free from her masters.
MORE INFORMATION: Kite (1998) Official Trailer
Why the Low Ratings? Let’s Get Real
If you look at some platforms, Kite often sits with lower-than-expected scores. Why? Well, there are a few major reasons that might make a modern viewer hesitate:
• Gratuitous Content: The biggest hurdle is the explicit sexual violence. The “Director’s Cut” and “Special Edition” contain graphic scenes of sexual assault on a minor, which led to the film being banned in places like Norway. Many viewers find these scenes unnecessary, arguing the story works perfectly well—perhaps even better—without them.
• Pacing and Logic: At only about 50 minutes long, some critics feel the story is too short to fully flesh out characters like Oburi. There are also some “anime logic” moments—like Sawa falling through a road into a subway and surviving with just some Band-Aids—that can clash with the otherwise “gritty realism” of the setting.
• Technical Quirks: While the animation is fluid, eagle-eyed fans have pointed out inconsistencies, like the “exploding bullets” occasionally failing to explode simply because the script needed them not to
My Perspective: Why It’s Still Worth a Watch
From my point of view, and looking at the broader reception from the community, Kite is a masterpiece of its specific sub-genre if you can stomach its darkest moments.
• The Animation is Ahead of its Time: For a 1998 production, the animation is incredibly fluid—often better than what we see in many modern series. Yasuomi Umetsu’s character designs are iconic, balancing a “cute” aesthetic with a haunting, hollow look in Sawa’s eyes that tells you everything you need to know about her trauma.
• The Emotional Weight: Unlike standard action flicks, Kite feels “peppered with a deep level of emotion”. You really feel the devastation Sawa and Oburi endure as they try to “dream of a life not spent under the shadows of murder”. Some viewers even argue that the graphic scenes, while hard to watch, are essential because they make your “skin crawl” and force you to truly hate the villains, Akai and Kanie. It’s not meant to be “hentai” for the sake of it; it’s meant to show the absolute “underbelly” of a corrupt world.
• Pop Culture Legacy: You can’t ignore its influence. Quentin Tarantino actually suggested Kite as prep material for Chiaki Kuriyama’s role as Gogo Yubari in Kill Bill. If you’re a fan of stylized violence and “messy” action scenes, this is where a lot of that DNA comes from
The Verdict
Is it worth it? Yes—but with a major “trigger warning” disclaimer. If you want to experience the story as a tight, stylish crime thriller, look for the edited “International Version,” which cuts the explicit content but keeps the high-octane action.
Kite is a “solid story” that tackles uncomfortable questions most anime won’t touch. It’s a “shocking story of violence and abuse,” but it’s also a beautifully animated look at two kids trying to find their humanity in a world that has none.
Now, what are your thoughts so far on this anime? Have you seen anime like Kite? let me know in the comments.
Quick Reference for Fans
• Director: Yasuomi Umetsu
• Genre: Crime, Girls with Guns, Revenge
• Run Time: Approx. 50 minutes
• Watch this if you liked: Mezzo Forte (also by Umetsu) or Elfen Lied
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku (depending on region)
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