It's official - Mamoru Oshii to bring us a full length live-action "Assault Girl"

by Chris MaGee

Back in December "Ghost in the Shell" and Sky Crawlers" director Mamoru Oshii was very excited about one thing: the possibility of making a full length film of his short contribution to the omnibus film "Kiru = Kill". That film was made up of various directors helming elaborate fight and action films and it was Oshii's film "Assault Girl 2" that got "Kiru = Kill" most of its attention. This was in large part due to the fact that it starred international break-out star Rinko Kikuchi battling it out with actress Yoko Fujita in a semi-futuristic setting. The reason and narrative behind their sword-wielding smackdown was a bit unclear though, but now Oshii will finally get the chance to tell the full story behind "Assault Girl 2" with a feature length film.

"Assault Girls" will have Rinko Kikuchi joined by Meisa Kuroki (in character above) and Hinako Saeki as a group of futuristic huntresses whose quarry are giant beasts known as "sand whales"... and thus far that's all that's known about the plot. Seems a bit thin seeing that the last time Oshii directed a live-action feature with 2001's "Avalon" the plot was a dense exploration of technology, identity and the nature of reality as they relate to a role-plying computer game. Pretty par for the course philosophical musings for Oshii, so hopefully we'll see more than just chases and fights come this December 19th when "Assault Girls" will get a limited release in Japanese theatres.

Thanks to Tokyograph for the details on this, and Cinema Today for the above image.