1-Ichi (2003): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2003, 1-Ichi is an action, thriller and drama film directed by Masato Tanno, running about 83 minutes. “How Ichi becomes the Killer.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. We follow Ichi during his high school years. Mr. Dai is the best fighter in school... whenever he fights Ichi is there and has a huge smile on his face. Mr. Dai thinks that Ichi is laughing at him but in fact he enjoys watching the violence that goes through the fights. Everyone is bullying, taunting and making fun of Ichi... even little kids from his karate class. Yet Ichi refuses to let go of his anger and fight others. Just when Mr. Dai is about to get Ichi, a new transfer student starts to make his own laws... by beating up everyone and breaking their bones! In a fight with the new student, Mr. Dai ends up on the ground, beaten and broken up from almost everywhere. It seems like this new guy wants to fight Ichi because supposedly he is the only one that could give him some challenge.

Who’s in it. 1-Ichi stars Nao Omori as Ichi / Shiroishi, Teah as Dai, Chihara Junia as Onizame and Chisato Amate as Satomi, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, 1-Ichi has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 1-Ichi page.

If you liked it. Fans of 1-Ichi tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.