Wicked City (1987 Anime & 1992 Hong Kong Live Action)

The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast

Our October horror shows roll on as Byrd, Tom, and Kevin are joined by Chris Marti (musician alias "Cosmic Monster" and co-writer of The Author vs. the Werewolf) to discuss the fantasy/horror of Wicked City! Based on a series of novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi (Vampire Hunter D), Wicked City is about the rift between humanity and a secret society of interdimensional demons. We start with 1987's cult classic anime film from Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) and move onto 1992's live action version produced in Hong Kong (co-produced by Toho). Both adaptations are bonkers, so we have a lot to discuss including the anime's problematic sexual politics, phallic tentacle creatures, spider women, handover era Hong Kong cinema, sentient pinball machines, horny elevator monsters, and more. But first, we discuss the recent passing of legendary Showa era monster maker Keizo Murase. Relax and enjoy the conversation.