Few action movies have had a bigger presence in pop culture over the past decade than theJohn Wickfranchise. The stylish gun-based action, combined with Keanu Reeves’ stellar work as the eponymous lead, has made it a household name in record time, and few people haven’t at least heard of the films and the cinematic action that’s made them so famous.
John Wick’s success cannot be understated, and its appeal is hardly limited to fans of live-action films. Anime, for example, is a medium that often lends itself to intense, kinetic action, much of which involves some manner of gunplay, and because of that,there are many anime with the kind of great animation, story beats, and gun-based action that capture everything that’s madeJohn Wickso appealing as a franchise. A few anime like that especially stand out, and any fan ofJohn Wickwould be remiss to pass them up.
Sakamoto Days
Cast
Sakamoto Days centers on Taro Sakamoto, a former top-tier hitman who has traded his life of crime for a peaceful existence running a convenience store. Despite his attempts to leave the underworld behind, Sakamoto’s past catches up with him as old rivals and dangerous enemies reappear, threatening his newfound tranquility. Forced to defend his family and business, Sakamoto must draw on his lethal skills while navigating the humorous and unexpected challenges of balancing his ordinary daily life with the chaos of his former profession.
TMS Entertainment’sSakamoto Daysstars Taro Sakamoto, a man who was once the world’s greatest assassin until he abruptly retired, started a family, and put on a lot of weight. Sakamoto would prefer to spend his days with his family running his convenience store, but circumstances beyond his control force him back into action, most notably those involved in his mysterious and tragic past.
TheSakamoto Daysmangabecame a hit thanks to its great comedy and intense action scenes reminiscent ofJohn Wick, and with the anime finally out, it’s clear thattheSakamoto Daysanime is doing a great job of translating the writing and action of the manga into animation. There isn’t much to see of the anime so far, but if the manga is anything to go on, it’s going to be a great watch, even for people who aren’t fans ofJohn Wick.
91 Days
91 Days is an anime series set during Prohibition in the United States, focusing on Angelo Lagusa’s quest for vengeance against the mafia family that murdered his loved ones. Disguising himself as Avilio Bruno, Angelo infiltrates the Vanetti family to methodically execute his revenge. The series explores themes of retribution, loyalty, and the dark underbelly of organized crime in a gritty, historical setting.
Shuka’s91 Daysstars Angelo Lagusa, a man forced into hiding after his family was killed by the Vanetti crime family. Seven years later, a mysterious letter prompts Angelo to return home and exact revenge on the Vanettis, his plan starting with him befriending the heir to the family, Nero Vanetti, all of which is told throughout a dramatic, 91-day story.
Between the incredible gun-based action and dramatic storytelling,91 Daysdoes a great job of playing intoJohn Wick’s appeal on both a visual and narrative level, with the added hook of it being a period piece set around Prohibition adding an extra level of engagement, as well. It’s not as well-known as some other action anime, but overall, it’s one of the best at bringing classic crime drama into the medium, by far.
6Noir
Anime Series By Bee Train: Directed By Koichi Mashimo
Bee Train’sNoirstars Mireille Bouquet, a Corsican assassin whose quest to solve the mystery of her parents’ murder leads her to Kirika Yuumura, an amnesiac Japanese assassin who seems to be connected to Mireille’s past. The two are forced to work together to uncover the truth of their connection, a mystery that goes far deeper than anyone could have expected and is centered heavily around their shared pseudonym of “Noir”.
Noiris the first of Bee Train’s “girls-with-guns” anime trilogy, and sure enough,Noirdoes an amazing job of selling itself as a series with great gun-based action and storytelling that rewards the viewer for paying attention, all of which is perfectly complemented by the stellar direction and score of Koichi Mashimo and Yuki Kajiura, respectively. Few anime lean into gun-based action as well asNoirdoes, and that hasn’t changed, even after almost 25 years.
5Madlax
Anime Series By Bee Train; Directed By Koichi Mashimo
Madlaxis the second of Bee Train’s “girls-with-guns” trilogy and is centered around Margaret Burton and the eponymous Madlax. As an aristocrat and an assassin, Margaret and Madlax have nothing in common and have never even met, but when Margaret’s family died in a plane crash, she returned home only mysteriously muttering Madlax’s name, and 12 years later, their paths inevitably cross amid a civil war as they deal with the crime syndicate Enfant.
Madlaxis more of a spiritual successor toNoirthan a straightforward sequel, but even so,Madlaxis another anime from Bee Train with gorgeous animation for its gun-based action anime and an incredibly engaging mystery plot, with Koichi Mashimo and Yuki Kajiura’s work once again making everything hold up incredibly well decades later. The writing isn’t always as competent asNoir, but anyone who likedNoirwill find a lot to love aboutMadlax.
4El Cazador De La Bruja
El Cazador de la Bruja, Spanish forThe Hunter of the Witch, is the final installment in Bee Train’s “girls-with-guns” anime trilogy. Taking place in Latin America, the series stars Nadie, a bounty hunter hired to guide Ellis, a girl with supernatural powers who remembers nothing but a vague memory of possibly killing her foster parent, to a mysterious location called Wiñay Marka in the hopes that they can learn the truth about her past.
As the grand finale to Bee Train’s “girls-with-guns” trilogy,El Cazador de la Brujadoes a great job of bringing the strong action and character writing ofNoirandMadlaxto its peak, all of which, again, is perfectly complemented by the direction of Koichi Mashimo and the score of Yuki Kajiura. It’s an incredible finale to a legendary anime trilogy, and that stands even if someone hasn’t watched the anime that came before it.
Lycoris Recoil
Lycoris Recoil is an anime series set in an alternate Japan where an all-female task force, Lycoris, maintains peace covertly. The story follows Takina Inoue, a disciplined member of the organization, and Chisato Nishikigi, a carefree yet talented Lycoris, as they tackle missions while working at a seemingly ordinary café. The series explores themes of duty and personal freedom against the backdrop of their thrilling and dangerous lifestyle.
A-1 Pictures’Lycoris Recoilrevolves around the Lycoris organization, a secret anti-terrorism task force where young girls are trained as elite fighters to protect Japan. After injuring her teammates during a mission, Takina Inoue is fired from the main force and sent to work with Chisato Nishikigi, an elite but eccentric agent who teaches Takina how to have a life, all while a new threat to the country slowly emerges.
Lycoris Recoildidn’t receive a lot of attention before its release, but after it premiered,Lycoris Recoilbecame a major hit with fans and critics alike thanks to its stellar action and animation combined with great character writing. Few anime do as great a job of combining intense action and drama with heartfelt character writing asLycoris Recoil, and the fact thatHideo Kojima recommendedLycoris Recoilsays a lot about how great an anime it is.
Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is a Japanese animated series that follows Rokuro “Rock” Okajima, a Japanese businessman taken hostage by the Lagoon Company, a group of mercenaries. Set in the crime-infested city of Roanapur, the series explores Rock’s transformation as he navigates dangerous missions alongside his new comrades. Created by Madhouse, the show delves into themes of morality and survival in a lawless world.
Madhouse’sBlack Lagoonstars Rokuro “Rock” Okajima, a mild-mannered salaryman who’s taken hostage by the pirate mercenary group the Lagoon Company. When Rock is left for dead by his boss, Rock, fed up with his old life, decides to join the Lagoon Company and takes up residence in the fictional city of Roanapur, despite the ever-escalating danger he ends up facing in his new life.
With the creativity and general high quality of the action scenes,Black Lagoonalways does a great job of delivering kinetic and over-the-top gun-based action, and the way the English dub leans into the crass nature of its world does wonders to sell that even further.Black Lagoonis one of the best anime at capturing the atmosphere of an American action film, and with every episode like that, it’s an incredible experience from start to finish.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a 1998 animated series set in 2071, where humanity has colonized the Solar System following a catastrophic event. As crime surges, bounty hunters known as “Cowboys” are employed by the Inter Solar System Police to capture criminals in exchange for rewards.
The world ofSunrise’sCowboy Bebopis one where humanity has begun spreading itself across the galaxy, and with that has come a new era of crime that necessitates bounty hunters called Cowboys. Series protagonist Spike Spiegel is one of these Cowboys, and the anime chronicles his and the rest of the crew of theBebop’s adventures around the galaxy as they hunt down bounties and occasionally confront their sordid pasts.
There are few anime more iconic thanCowboy Bebop, and sure enough,the consistently incredible quality ofCowboy Bebop’s action, both gun-based and hand-to-hand, and its dramatic storytelling more than warrant its stellar reputation.Cowboy Bebophas long since earned its reputation as one of the best anime of all time, and with its focus on gun-based action clearly inspired by Western cinema, it’s also thebest anime for aJohn Wickfan to watch.
