Ah, Kite! One of two series that I've ever reviewed that could actually be classified as hentai. The shock factor of watching something like this still hasn't worn off, even though I watched it a couple of months ago. It's quite an experience. However, let me warn you: this is not an anime for the faint of heart.

One could think of Kite as a mixture of Noir and Berserk. Noir because of the gorgeous female assassins, Berserk because of the gorefest. Much of the feel of Kite is from the absolutely wonderful animation style. The style, drawn by Umetsu Yasuomi, is gritty and dark and puts such anime titles as Gunnm to shame. The animation fits all of the characters perfectly, and you can tell that they've been through hell.

The story moves along quickly in the hour we're given, and it all comes together to a shocking, if not extremely depressing, ending. The ending is presented in such a way that it leaves you guessing, but then you figure it out and the truth hits you like a brick. It's quite emotional. The action is also very well done. Character movements are fluid and body parts seem to explode in such a way that its impossible not to disgust you.

However, all of these things I've mentioned so far would give it at least a 4.25 on my scale but there is one thing that really disturbs me: the sex scenes. Poor Sawa. Poor, poor Sawa. At least her love interest never whips it out (and it's a very great love story, believe me), but every time their relationship advances we're shown a horrifying, albeit short, scenes of Sawa being assaulted by men that are hung like horses.

Watch on an empty stomach.