Sky High is a supernaturalaction film from director Ryuhei Kitamura. It is based on the mangaof the same title by Tsutomu Takahashi and serves as a prequel to a Japanese television dramaof the same name, and starring the same actress, Yumiko Shaku. Although the film is a prequel to the series, the film was made while the series was still in production, sometime between the first and second seasons. The film had a clear effect on the direction of the second season, as evidenced in the look and style of Mina/Izuko's second season costuming—more similar to the darker, edgier look she sports in the film, as opposed to the softer, colourful, kimono-like outfit of the first season. The film reveals how the somewhat meek Mina became the heroic Izuko, as seen in the series.
Plot
A serial killer is on the loose who just so happens to also be removing the hearts of his victims and taking them with him. His victims however, are not merely random humans as thought by the police. They are in fact, the past and present guardians of the gateway of the afterlife. On the day he is to be married, Detective Kanzaki, who happens to be on the case, discovers that his fiancé Mina has been murdered with her heart also missing. He also learns that the killers are Kudo, a geneticist, and his evil secretary Rei. The two are trying to obtain six hearts from the guardians so that they may call forth a horde of demons from the Gate of Rage and have their every desire granted. Only problem is, once they open the gate the entire world will be covered in darkness. Meanwhile, in the afterlife, Mina encounters Izuko, the Guardian of the Gate. Izuko gives her three options: Mina can choose to ascend to heaven and be reborn, she can choose to forever walk the earth as a ghost or she can choose to curseone of the living to death and as a result be cursed to descend to hell. Mina has 12 days to make her choice.
Multiple Genres
A big budget feature film prequel to a television series, Sky High is not an easy film to classify, as it comfortably fits into multiple genres. It is typically classified in the action or martial arts category, however it is very much a crime thriller about a cop, whose fiancé is only the latest victim in a series of macabre serial killings of young women. He uses his forensic skills as a detective to slowly uncover the identity of the killer—unknowingly aided by the ghost of Mina, who is desperately trying to figure out the identity of her own killer. The killer is revealed to be a woman who is a fallen Guardian, risen from the dead; defeating her will require delving into fantasy and legend. Sky High is also a romance about love and loss as Mina faces a greater destiny ... becoming the new Guardian of the Gate and defending it against evil.
Production
The film opened in Japanese theaters in late 2003. Its premiere followed in the footsteps of the popular Sky High television series, starring the same actress in the lead role of Izuko—or specifically, the "new" Izuko, as the film is considered a prequel to the TV series, revealing how Mina Saeki came to replace the previous Guardian and take her position as the Izuko we see in the series. Although the film makes much greater use of action, martial arts, and big budget special effects than the series is capable, both follow the same continuity. TV-Asahi, the Japanese television network behind the TV series is also the theatrical film's primary production company. The movie is helmed by popular action director Ryuhei Kitamura, best known for his Versus series of films, as well as other popular draws such as Azumi and . Kitamura also directed several episodes of the TV series, and following the film's box office success, Sky High 2 was quickly put into production by the network for January 2004, utilizing many elements from the film, including its darker, edgier look, and improved sets and effects. The film's screenplay was written by Isao Kiriyama, based on the manga Sky High by Tsutomu Takahashi. The closing theme for the movie is "Horizon" by Hyde.
