Agitator-takashi Miike Collection 2001 Dvdrip I... -
The Agitator: A Takashi Miike Collection
- Context: One of Miike’s mid-career yakuza epics. Unlike his surreal horrors (Audition, Ichi the Killer), Agitator is a sprawling, serious crime drama.
- Plot: Follows a young gangster (Shô Aikawa) and a seasoned veteran trying to prevent a war between the Yamaguchi-gumi and a rival clan in Kobe. The title refers to someone who incites violence or political change.
- Style: At 2 hours 15 minutes (director’s cut is longer), it’s slow-burn, atmospheric, and melancholic. Expect long static shots, sudden brutal outbursts, and Miike’s trademark tonal whiplash.
- Strengths:
Directed by the legendary Takashi Miike during his most prolific year (2001), Agitator (also known as Araburu tamashii-tachi) is a sweeping yakuza epic that stands in stark contrast to his more infamous cult hits like Ichi the Killer or Visitor Q. While those films prioritized extreme transgression, Agitator—often found in collections as a high-quality DVDRip—is a mature, 150-minute study of criminal politics, loyalty, and the inevitable decay of the "honor among thieves". Plot Overview: A Web of Betrayal Agitator-Takashi Miike Collection 2001 DVDRip i...
2. Untouched Audio
Many re-releases replace the original sound mix with a 5.1 remix that alters directional effects. The DVDRip typically retains the original Dolby Digital 2.0 mix, complete with the harsh, raw foley of knives and breaking glass. The Agitator: A Takashi Miike Collection
Agitator explores the tragedy of men like Kunihiko who live by a code that their superiors have long since abandoned for profit. The film suggests that in the modern criminal world, loyalty is an "unconventional" and fatal trait. As Kunihiko observes, life is "like a meteor," destined to flare up and be extinguished. This fatalism is mirrored in the deep, almost homoerotic bond between Kunihiko and Higuchi, which serves as the film’s only moral constant amidst shifting allegiances. Legacy and Modern Availability Film Review: Agitator (2001) by Takashi Miike Context: One of Miike’s mid-career yakuza epics
Verdict: Essential for Miike completists and hardcore yakuza genre fans. For casual viewers, start with Dead or Alive or Rainy Dog.
- Director: Takashi Miike
- Release Year: 2001
- Genre: Yakuza, Drama
- Main Actors: Tadanobu Asano, Yūki Uchida
