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Sexually-charged supernatural erotica, less horror than it is an exploitation of the female body for no apparent reason besides lust. Rather inconsistent in that regard, more explicit in nonconsensual scenes compared to the rest. It makes the claim of visual metaphors in association with spiritual drivel supposedly forming a bond representing peace between two races. Taki and Makie are part of a secret service protecting an emissary needed to finalize a centennial non-aggression treaty, disguising other elaborate conspiracies of unknown nature. Such events pave the way for sadomasochistic escapades of gratuitous gore and sex, usually with demonic women. At one point, it's unashamedly tentacle pornography, not quite meshing against the backdrop of blue and red neo-noir. In the case of color coordination, Kawajiri's eye for complementary hues strikes a tension, high-speed drives as street lights zip past. The cinematography may be a single trick, but a pretty one nonetheless. Defined designs are drawn in thick lines, with characters living a rapid urban life, which happens to be the only reason it manages to be watchable, all missteps considered.
I'd argue the pressing counter to a linear narrative, one that is well-nigh impossible to ruin, is the political sphere remaining completely untouched. Acts of terrorism, even assassination attempts, come from a factional authority in the demon world. Wreaking havoc to this extent, yet retaining invisibility in the sense of diplomatic context is nonsensical. It's a product of some cyberpunk and body disfiguration elements, and Wicked City's linear clarity is its downfall. Kawajiri's standout key animation is present in a few action cuts, but unfortunately, the rest of the film suffers from bland panning shots in abundance. A shame seeing the uneven storyboarding being framed with imaginative live-action compositing, and tilted angles rarely used in commercial anime. It's a middling gimmick, not leaning towards the gruesome nor morally provocative extremes of the medium.
