【CITY HUNTER】Shinjuku, Tokyo
Table of Contents
- The Deep Relationship Between City Hunter and Shinjuku
- Why Shinjuku as the Setting and the Work’s World View
- Depiction of Shinjuku in the Original Manga
- Expression of Shinjuku in the Television Anime Version
- The Theatrical Film Series and Shinjuku
- The Appeal of Theatrical Version City Hunter Shinjuku Private Eyes
- The Latest Work “Theatrical Version City Hunter Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust)”
- Complete Guide to City Hunter Sacred Sites in Shinjuku
- City Hunter Related Events in Shinjuku
- Major Developments and Progress Since the 21st Century
The Deep Relationship Between City Hunter and Shinjuku
“City Hunter” is a representative urban hardboiled manga by Tsukasa Hojo of Japan, and Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo is indispensable as its setting. Beginning serialization in “Weekly Shonen Jump” in 1985, this work portrays Shinjuku not merely as a background, but as an important element that constitutes the story itself.
The protagonist, Ryo Saeba (冴羽獠), runs an office in Shinjuku as a “sweeper,” and together with his partner Kaori Makimura, solves the problems of his clients. Shinjuku’s hustle and bustle, towering buildings, the nighttime face of Kabukicho, and the commotion of Shinjuku Station East Exit—all of these become important pieces that form the world view of the work.
Tsukasa Hojo’s choice of Shinjuku as the setting was based on the unique atmosphere that Shinjuku possessed in the 1980s. With many businessmen passing through during the day and developing various human dramas as an entertainment district at night, Shinjuku, as a city where light and shadow intersect, was ideal as the setting for a hardboiled work.
Why Shinjuku as the Setting and the Work’s World View
There are multiple reasons why Shinjuku was chosen as the setting for City Hunter. First, Shinjuku is one of the central areas of Tokyo while possessing diverse faces. The business district with towering buildings, the entertainment district of Kabukicho, quiet residential neighborhoods, and green spaces like Shinjuku Gyoen—the mixture of these enables various story developments.
Shinjuku in the 1980s had a unique atmosphere where the glamor from just before through the peak of the bubble economy coexisted with the shadows of the underworld. This historical background lends credibility to the world in which Ryo Saeba lives. The city of Shinjuku, with its dual nature of public and private faces, overlaps with Ryo Saeba’s duality as a sweeper.
In the work, many real locations appear, such as Shinjuku Station East Exit as a meeting place, the Metropolitan Government Building (from the former to the current building), Shinjuku Central Park, and tenement buildings in Kabukicho. By depicting these places concretely, the work constructs a realistic world view despite being fiction.
Depiction of Shinjuku in the Original Manga
In Tsukasa Hojo’s original manga, Shinjuku’s cityscape is depicted in detail. The changes in Shinjuku from the mid-1980s at the beginning of serialization to 1991 at the end of serialization are reflected in the work.
Particularly impressive are the action scenes with Shinjuku’s high-rise building cluster as background. Gunfights on building rooftops, chases up stairs in tenement buildings—many productions make full use of Shinjuku’s three-dimensional urban space. Through Tsukasa Hojo’s artistic skill, Shinjuku’s cityscape is depicted with a presence equal to that of the characters, not merely as background.
In the original, Ryo Saeba’s office is located somewhere in Shinjuku, but the specific location is not explicitly stated. This stimulates readers’ imagination and creates a sense of immersion—”Ryo Saeba might be somewhere in the Shinjuku I know.”
Additionally, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in Shinjuku appear in the work, serving as valuable historical records that convey the culture of Shinjuku in the 1980s to the present day. In particular, the coffee shop that Kaori frequently visits and the bars that Ryo Saeba visits for information gathering reflect the atmosphere of Shinjuku at that time.
Expression of Shinjuku in the Television Anime Version
Broadcast from 1987 to 1991, the television anime version of “City Hunter” expresses the original’s depiction of Shinjuku in a more dynamic way. Produced by Sunrise, the anime version depicts Shinjuku’s cityscape with vibrant colors, constructing a unique world view with music.
In the anime version, Shinjuku’s night scenery is used impressively in the opening and ending. In particular, the Shinjuku cityscape that flows with the initial opening theme “City Hunter ~Love, Don’t Disappear~” has become a memorable scene for many fans.
Four television series were produced, each depicting Shinjuku of different periods. The 1st series (1987-1988), the 2nd series “City Hunter 2” (1988-1989), the 3rd series “City Hunter 3” (1989-1990), and the final series “City Hunter ’91” (1991) developed stories set in Shinjuku over approximately four years.
A characteristic of the anime version is that comical direction is used more than in the original, but the depiction of Shinjuku’s cityscape maintains realism. The background art, created with reference to actual Shinjuku buildings and scenery, is an important element supporting the work’s authenticity.
The Theatrical Film Series and Shinjuku
Parallel with the television series, multiple theatrical versions of City Hunter were produced. In these theatrical versions, Shinjuku is also depicted as an important setting.
Theatrical Version 1 “Theatrical Version City Hunter Bay City Wars” (1990)
In the first theatrical film, Tokyo Bay area including Shinjuku becomes the setting. In this work, while using Saeba’s office in Shinjuku as a base, activities over a wider range are depicted.
Theatrical Version 2 “Theatrical Version City Hunter The Plotters of the Billion Dollar” (1990)
In the second work released the same year, a story centered on Shinjuku again unfolds. As an important episode related to Ryo Saeba’s past, Shinjuku is used effectively.
Theatrical Version 3 “Good Bye My Sweet Heart” (1997)
Created six years after the television series ended, this work depicts Shinjuku in the late 1990s. The atmosphere of Shinjuku after the collapse of the bubble economy is also reflected in the work, and the content conveys a sense of the era’s changes.
In these theatrical versions, the drawing quality is higher than in the television series, and Shinjuku’s cityscape is depicted more beautifully. Night scenes in particular are spectacular, fully conveying the charm of the city of Shinjuku.
The Appeal of Theatrical Version City Hunter Shinjuku Private Eyes
Released in February 2019, “Theatrical Version City Hunter Shinjuku Private Eyes” garnered major attention as a completely new theatrical film about 20 years after the original serialization ended. This work re-emphasizes the relationship between City Hunter and Shinjuku.
A Story Set in Modern Shinjuku
The greatest feature of “Shinjuku Private Eyes” is that it is set in present-day Shinjuku as of 2019. In modern Shinjuku where time has passed since the 1980s, Ryo Saeba and Kaori Makimura continue to work as sweepers. The work reflects contemporary Shinjuku—redevelopment around Shinjuku Station, the increase of high-rise buildings.
The story begins when a model, Ai Shindo, requests bodyguard services. The battle against a mysterious organization targeting her unfolds at various locations in Shinjuku. Shinjuku Gyoen, Kabukicho, areas around the Metropolitan Government Building—famous spots of Shinjuku appear one after another, serving fans as a guidebook for sacred site pilgrimage.
Full-Scale Production System by the Production Committee
“Shinjuku Private Eyes” was produced by a production committee system involving Aniplex, Yomiuri Television, Toms Entertainment, and others. Through this system, a high-quality work created with sufficient budget and time was realized.
Director Kanetoki Kodama, who also worked on the television series, took charge, and character design was supervised by original author Tsukasa Hojo. The voice cast, including Akira Kamiya as Ryo Saeba and Kazue Ikura as Kaori Makimura, reprised their original roles, creating a work that met fan expectations.
Music and Theme Songs
In terms of music, the work inherits the tradition of the series. The film score was handled by Taku Iwasaki, and while adding contemporary arrangements, it maintains the City Hunter feel. The theme song features Kahoru Kobayakawa’s “Get Wild” again, recorded in a new version.
The scene of “Get Wild” playing with Shinjuku’s night scenery during the ending moved many fans and became a major topic on social media. This staging proved that City Hunter, Shinjuku, and “Get Wild” are inseparable three elements.
Box Office Performance and Reception
“Shinjuku Private Eyes” ranked second at the opening weekend box office and ultimately achieved box office revenue exceeding 1.8 billion yen. Despite being a new work 20 years later, it succeeded in acquiring not only longtime fans but also a new generation of audiences.
It also received high critical evaluation and was supported by general movie fans as well as anime fans. In particular, the work’s sense of balance—depicting modern Shinjuku while not losing the City Hunter feel—was praised.
The Latest Work “Theatrical Version City Hunter Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust)”
Following the success of “Shinjuku Private Eyes,” production of a new theatrical version, “Theatrical Version City Hunter Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust),” was announced. In this latest work as well, Shinjuku is indicated to be an important setting.
Special Footage and Information for the New Work
In the special footage, the figure of Ryo Saeba set against Shinjuku’s night scenery is depicted impressively. The production committee announced that action set in Shinjuku on an even greater scale than the previous work would unfold, and fan anticipation is growing.
The title “Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust)” is a drug name that also appeared in the original, suggesting a serious story development. It is believed the work will have a strong hardboiled color, set in Shinjuku’s underworld.
Production System and Staff
The new work employs the same production committee system as the previous work. The continuation of major staff and cast, including director, character design, and voice actors, has been announced, with the system set to follow the success of the previous work.
Tsukasa Hojo continues to be deeply involved in production, and detailed supervision of Shinjuku’s depiction is reportedly being conducted. How Shinjuku in the modern era will be depicted and incorporated into the story will be one of the work’s highlights.
Complete Guide to City Hunter Sacred Sites in Shinjuku
For City Hunter fans, Shinjuku holds special significance. Here are introductions to locations that appear in the work and spots where one can feel the work’s atmosphere.
Shinjuku Station East Exit
Appearing numerous times in the work, Shinjuku Station East Exit is frequently used as a meeting place. Currently altered by redevelopment, it remains a gateway to Shinjuku with many people passing through. The crowded station area is one place where one can feel the world view of City Hunter.
Shinjuku Central Park
Located west of the Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Central Park is a green space that appears in the work. Slightly removed from urban hustle and bustle, this park is also used as a place where Ryo Saeba meets with clients. The view of the park with high-rise buildings as background possesses the urban atmosphere characteristic of City Hunter.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, a landmark of Shinjuku, was an important setting in “Shinjuku Private Eyes.” From the observation deck, one can see all of Shinjuku’s cityscape and experience the work’s world view. The night view in particular is spectacular, reminiscent of the night scenery of Shinjuku shown in the ending.
Kabukicho Area
Kabukicho, representing the nighttime face of Shinjuku, is the place where one feels the work’s world view most vividly. The landscape of tenement buildings lining the street conveys to the present the atmosphere of the underworld in the work. However, when visiting, it is recommended to take safety precautions.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen, which became an important setting in “Shinjuku Private Eyes,” is a place where one can enjoy abundant nature while in the heart of Shinjuku. Strolling through it while recalling scenes from the work may lead to new discoveries.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
Golden Gai, where small bars are densely clustered, is a place that vividly retains the atmosphere of Shinjuku in the 1980s. With many bars that Ryo Saeba seems likely to visit for information gathering, one can immerse oneself in the work’s world view.
City Hunter Related Events in Shinjuku
Various events related to City Hunter have been held in Shinjuku. As a sacred site of the work, it has become a place where fans gather.
Pop-Up Store
In October 2024, a City Hunter pop-up store was held at Hands Shinjuku. Themed around the famous line by Ryo Saeba, “This is the only place where I can dream…,” the display recreated an urban hardboiled world view decorated with a pop 1980s aesthetic, with merchandise sales.
At this event, panel displays recreating famous scenes from the original and original goods featuring the Shinjuku cityscape were sold, attracting many fans. The event’s opening in the sacred site of Shinjuku held special significance.
Theatrical Version Release Commemoration Events
When “Shinjuku Private Eyes” was released, various commemorative events were held centered on movie theaters in Shinjuku. Stage greetings, panel displays, collaboration cafes and other opportunities for fans to experience the work’s world view were provided.
Particularly impressive were merchandise such as diorama acrylic stands with Shinjuku’s night scenery as background. These were supported by many fans as items symbolizing the connection between Shinjuku city and City Hunter.
Movie Ticket Special Bonuses
For the latest work “Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust),” the sale of movie tickets with diorama acrylic stands featuring Shinjuku’s night scenery was held at Jump Festa 2023. With the use of a separate base, one could actually display it against Shinjuku’s night scenery, showing careful ingenuity.
Major Developments and Progress Since the 21st Century
Even after the original serialization ended, City Hunter has continued media expansion in various forms. In all of these, Shinjuku remains an important element to be depicted.
Cellphone Media Expansion
The television series and theatrical versions have been repeatedly released as cell media on DVD, Blu-ray, and other formats. With the release of “Shinjuku Private Eyes” in 2019, HD remastered versions of past works were also released, providing opportunities for new generations of fans to encounter the work.
The works are also viewable on distribution services like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, creating an environment where one can experience City Hunter’s Shinjuku anytime.
CD and Music Related Works
City Hunter’s music is one of the important elements of the work. The theme songs and insert songs, centered on “Get Wild,” are still loved by many fans.
In 2019, “Theatrical Version City Hunter -VOCAL COLLECTION-” was released as an LP record, allowing fans to enjoy the work’s music on analog records. The jacket design, evoking Shinjuku’s night scenery, also became a topic of discussion.
Mooks and Publications
Various mooks and books related to City Hunter have been published. Valuable resources for fans exist in abundance, such as features tracking the changes in Shinjuku, the work’s setting, and sacred site pilgrimage guides.
In particular, multiple related publications were released at the time of “Shinjuku Private Eyes'” release, including content comparing 1980s Shinjuku with modern Shinjuku.
Game Expansion
City Hunter has also expanded into various game works. In smartphone games, stories set in Shinjuku unfold, allowing players to experience becoming Ryo Saeba themselves and dashing through Shinjuku.
Stage Adaptation and Live-Action Adaptation
In 2021, the Takarazuka Revue Company’s Snow Troupe staged “CITY HUNTER” at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. In this stage version, Shinjuku was also depicted as an important setting, with Shinjuku’s cityscape expressed through Takarazuka’s characteristic glamorous direction.
Additionally, a live-action film adaptation was made in France, and internationally, the combination of City Hunter and Shinjuku came to be recognized.
The Charm of Shinjuku as Depicted by City Hunter
One reason City Hunter has been loved for so long is its charming depiction of Shinjuku. The Shinjuku depicted through the work is expressed not merely as background but as a living, breathing city that exists alongside the characters.
Shinjuku has undergone major transformations from the 1980s to the present. However, the essence of Shinjuku as depicted by City Hunter—a city where diverse people come and go, where light and shadow intersect—has not changed. This universality is the reason the work continues to be supported across eras.
As Ryo Saeba says, “This is the only place where I can dream…,” Shinjuku is a special place for City Hunter and for fans. The ability to experience the work’s world view in reality by visiting actual Shinjuku is a major attraction that no other work possesses.
Conclusion
The relationship between City Hunter and Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo transcends the simple relationship between work and setting, possessing a deep connection. The Shinjuku depicted by Tsukasa Hojo has, through anime adaptation and theatrical film versions, become a city engraved in the memory of many people.
Through the 2019 “Shinjuku Private Eyes” and the latest work “Angel’s Tears (Angel Dust),” with continued production of new works, City Hunter’s Shinjuku continues to present new faces. Nearly 40 years after the original serialization began, the work remains unfaded, continuing to acquire new fans.
Because it uses the real city of Shinjuku as its setting, fans can immerse themselves in the work’s world through sacred site pilgrimage. When gazing at Shinjuku’s night scenery from the Metropolitan Government Building’s observation deck, when walking through the crowds of Shinjuku Station East Exit, the world of City Hunter is surely present there.
The story of City Hunter and Shinjuku will continue. Through production committee creation of new works, the holding of various events, and expansion into new media, this immortal masterpiece will be passed on to the next generation. Great expectations are being placed on the future developments of City Hunter, which continues to walk together with the city of Shinjuku.
