Watch Kick-Heart
- NR
- 2013
- 12 min
-
6.8 (981)
Kick-Heart is a 2013 Japanese animated film directed by Masaaki Yuasa. The film follows the story of Romeo Maki, a professional wrestler who moonlights as a masked vigilante named the "Crimson Mask." Despite his success in the ring, Romeo's personal life is in shambles. He lives in a run-down hotel and can barely afford to eat, and his only friend is a pet fish named Choco.
Meanwhile, a nun named Sister Anna is struggling to keep her orphanage afloat. When Romeo joins a wrestling tournament with a substantial cash prize, Anna sees it as an opportunity to save her orphanage. She prays for Romeo to lose, not realizing the dark secret he's hiding: his only way to afford paying for Choco's medical bills is to win the tournament.
As Romeo and Anna grow closer, Romeo's personal and professional lives begin to unravel. The tournament becomes more dangerous as wrestlers resort to using weapons and other illegal tactics, and Romeo is forced to confront his own inner demons. Meanwhile, Sister Anna faces her own crisis as her past comes back to haunt her.
Kick-Heart is a visually stunning film with a unique animation style that combines traditional hand-drawn animation with computer-generated elements. The character designs are quirky and memorable, and the action scenes are fast-paced and thrilling. The film also features a catchy soundtrack, with music ranging from upbeat pop songs to more moody, introspective tracks.
At its core, Kick-Heart is a love story between two unlikely characters. Romeo and Anna's relationship is both sweet and complicated, and their interactions are some of the film's most touching moments. The film also tackles themes of redemption, identity, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.
Overall, Kick-Heart is a beautifully crafted film that pushes the boundaries of traditional animation. It's a must-see for fans of Japanese animation and anyone looking for a fresh take on the classic superhero tale.