Wicked City

Wicked City is a Japanese animated film set in a world where humans share the Earth with the Black World, a parallel dimension whose inhabitants can change shape and wield supernatural abilities. A long-standing peace agreement between the two sides is due for renewal, and a hardline faction from the Black World is determined to stop it. Two agents—Renzaburo Taki, a human, and Makie, a woman from the other dimension—are assigned to guard the diplomat whose signature is needed. As the mission puts them in constant danger, a bond develops between the two agents that becomes as important as the treaty itself.

Yoshiaki Kawajiri directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Norio Osada. It was produced by Madhouse and Japan Home Video, and it followed Kawajiri's earlier Lensman, standing second among the twelve features listed in his directing career. The voice cast includes Yusaku Yara as Taki, Toshiko Fujita as Makie, Ichiro Nagai as Guiseppe Maiyart, Takeshi Aono, Mari Yokoo and Tamio Ohki. The film runs 82 minutes and blends action, fantasy and horror elements.

Audience responses are consistent rather than enthusiastic: on IMDb it holds 6.7 out of 10 from around 12,000 votes, and on TMDB it also sits at 6.7, from roughly 296 votes. The larger IMDb sample suggests the film is remembered steadily, while the smaller TMDB figure indicates a more niche following.