AT first sight City Hunter is a detective-action-story: in actual fact this is not true.

Surely the background is a kind of detective stuff, but the truth is that the irresistible charm coming from this mythical Anime is represented by the tender love story between RYO and KAORI, two young guy and gal, which, in spite of their age, have had many pains, that had toughened'em and left on the duo a mask, with which in the ordinary life they can hide their true thoughts and real feelings.

RYO is a young handsome man with in mind only one thing: women women women! Consequently his behaviour is simple and predictable: he goes into action only if there’s a beautiful girl to help. But when there's a real danger, RYO becomes an hero and a brave man, beacause of his extraordinary ability with the gun and any kind of fighting technique: he's able to defeat any enemy.

KAORI is a sweet and sensitive girl, beautiful, but not provoking: she is an ideal girl. After the sad death of her brother, she goes to live together with RYO, becoming his partner in the dangerous work of "Sweeper". In RYO’s life this fascinating girl assumes a fundamental role: besides taking care about the house and cooking for the ravenous RYO, she makes the contacts with the potential clients and in not few missions, regardless her inexperience, but thanks to her great courage, she succeeds to be relevant for the final success. We are in front of a fantastic woman and RYO notes this from the very first moment.

Among the City Hunter's characters the only I prefer to remember is the great UMIBOZU, also called FALCON. This gigantic and powerful man is a true friend of RYO, on which (besides the faithful Kaori) our hero can always rely. The two ex fellow-soldiers have a perfect understanding and together they are virtually invinbible and unrivalled. They represent to my eyes the true friendship, that rises from common interests and ideas, common joys and sorrows.

The crucial point of the entire story is the relationship between RYO and KAORI.

RYO is a Don Juan and is always making a pitch for some beautiful girl he meets: but maniacal attitude is only a mask as I told you. His true nature is really different: generous, sincere and brave. He has suffered a lot in his life, because of his parents' early death and because of his upbringing among arms and wars: even so he has found inside the strenght to react resulting the person, that RYO is now: that it to say a brave good man. His job consist in sweeping away as many as possible Evils!

Also the story of KAORI is painful and beset with difficulties: orphan and adopted by a foster family of the person she believes to be her dear brother. She is able to get over the violent brother's death showing a strong character. Then the young woman start to work with RYO, which will slowly discovers several Kaori's qualities and skills together with his deep love for her: it will be the same for the girl.

But both of'em know in bottom of their hearths the truth, I mean they love eachother deeply and passionately: the two can't stay far one from the other and they are always ready to sacrifice even their own life to save their own partner.

The secret of City Hunter success is all in this beautiful and tender lovestory, never unreal or impossible, but felt by the viewer like close and realistic.

You can feel the real life in City Hunter by the constant presence inthe various series of the death.

So is this alternating cicle of death and life and love, the Ryo and Kaori's desire to live together side by side and to go on with the smile, although the inevitable difficulties and incomprehensions: all of this makes City Hunter a unique and unforgettable story!

I wanna remind the Umibozu words, referring to RYO and KAORI, that seem finally to have succeeded to express openly and reciprocally their true love feelings:

"Perhaps in our life all of us are searching only a twin soul, with which spend the time, that separates us from the darkness."

Loving his own woman and fighting for the Well are two among the many teachings, that City Hunter give us.

P.S.

I’ve forgotten to say to you that City Hunter makes die with laughter and that you can always find in every corner a lot of humor and irony!!!

In addition you have to hear the City Hunter soundtracks: there are tons of exciting and moving songs and melodies: try and then trust! ^_^

Ciao!