Crying Freeman...
Sometime ago, when VCRs still stalked the Earth, I picked up the VHS version of Crying Freeman...
Parts 4 and 5 were originally released in the U.S. in reverse order (i.e.: the last episode is "A Taste of Revenge"). I started watching Crying Freeman at a time when it was available via Streamline and quickly lost interest in it. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep it in my archive. I gave Crying Freeman a 3 out of 5.
Yo Hinomura has been brainwashed by the Chinese Mafia. His body has been turned into a brutal super-assassin, but his mind is left free to cry for his victims. After the sultry Emu Hino sees him kill a Yakuza boss, Yo is ordered to kill her as well. But victim and assassin are taken by an irresistible attraction for each other and form a passionate bond. Together they vow to face whatever fate has in store for them. But with both the police and the Mafia out to destroy them, that's not going to be easy.
Part 1
Portrait of a Killer
Yo Hinomura is very close to that often mentioned perfect assassin. He is a veritable killing machine, but, his conscious mind has not been changed the way the rest of his body has been: he hates what he has become!
Part 2
Shades of Death Part 1
Crying Freeman rises to the head of a powerful crime syndicate, but, is now forced to defend his position from a rival gang. They send a female assassin - Kitche - to destroy Freeman!
Part 3
Shades of Death Part 2
An African gang has launched an offensive against Ron Tayan's (Crying Freeman's) gang (the Dragons), and this calls for his personal attention. While this is going on, the Dragons have received the Muramasa, which is alleged to be cursed!
Part 4
A Taste of Revenge
Tayan faces one of his most bizarre challenges when a consortium of his enemies scheme to replace him with a perfect duplicate. This duplicate will do their bidding... if their plan comes to pass!
Part 5
Abduction In Chinatown
A kidnapping forces Tayan to come to the rescue, but, his efforts buy him a capture and a probable horrible death! He's offered a choice by Nina Heaven: become her slave or die in unspeakable ways!
Parts 4 and 5 were originally released in the U.S. in reverse order (i.e.: the last episode is "A Taste of Revenge"). I started watching Crying Freeman at a time when it was available via Streamline and quickly lost interest in it. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep it in my archive. I gave Crying Freeman a 3 out of 5.
