The prequel to Takashi Miike's twisted cult favorite ICHI THE KILLER, ICHI-1 features the same combination of black comedy and grotesque violence as its predecessor. Shiro Ishi (Nao Omori, reprising his role), the guy who will later become Ichi, spends his time at the local high school watching unrepentant bully Dai establish himself as the strongest kid in town. Noticing that the introverted Shiro is taking an unhealthy interest in his activities, Dai confronts him, but Shiro refuses to fight. Dai's day is coming too, however, when new student Onizame arrives at the school determined to become the number one fighter. Now both Dai and Onizame want to provoke Shiro, but little do they know of the murderous rage lying just below his cowardly surface. ICHI-1 is based on the original ICHI manga and was directed by Masato Tanno, assistant director on Miike's film.