Based on the  2004 light novel (Japanese term for young adults) by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and the 2007 graphic novel manga written by Ryosuke Takeuchi and illustrated by Takeshi Obata this is the second film adaption of the story. The first was the live action 2014  film “Edge of Tomorrow” also titled, “Live. Die. Repeat.” starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. This animated adaptation is more faithful to the story than “Edge of Tomorrow”.   There are two versions to view this film, with english dubbing or english subtitles.  After seeing both I strongly recommend the version with subtitles. To the faithful fans of the story it’s been a long time waiting for a truer adaptation of the manga and book. The wait is over and the result is a powerful version that may be one of the best animated films of the year- at least in the top ten and possibly one of the best edited animated films since “Flow”. It’s a rich, persuasive film that stays with you long after seeing it.  It’s truly unforgettable. If you love animation and action this film is for you. 

In a kaleidoscope of color-saturated and pastel along with frame jagged angles “All You Need is Kill” is a perfect example of tone and theme can be different. The bright happy color and hints that the aliens look like charming beautiful flowers contrast hard to the theme of the end-of-the-world struggle of its invasion and hellish torment of repeating the same day over and over until you solve how to make it stop. The story follows Rita who seems after killing one of the aliens to have become tangled in the quantum connection among them. Soon she meets another person- a shy and coy boy named Keiji that is cursed to repeat the same day. Together although not smoothly together, they attempt to take down the aliens. 

What works well for the story is Rita isn’t an action hero, not primed to be a killer-its her rage and cunning that turns into the fearless campaigner against the alien invasion.  She’s a loner, anti-social that random chance puts her into the situation. She is flawed and vulnerable. The story does well revealing the frustration of navigating solutions- and even takes time to show Rita ups and downs in her predicament.  She is doomed and her transition is well earned. What she is going through is brutal. It’s not a safe story, -nor even fully a happy one but it stays with you.  The spectrum of color is the most sustainable and the character of Rita is second. Within a few frames you are rooting for her and Keiji.  “All You Need is Kill” is a fantastic ride that tells us that killers aren’t born, they are forged-molded. 8.5/10