The film considered by many to be audacious Japanese director Takashi Miike's most outrageous cinematic endeavor to date (and, in Miike's case, that's really saying something), Ichi the Killer arrives stateside courtesy of our friends at Tokyo Shock. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the transfer seems a bit dark, despite well-balanced colors and even skin tones. While it's a bit offsetting to hear all of the characters speaking with British accents on the English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the dubbing does indeed do justice to the dialogue and offers a commendable representation of the music and sound design. Of course, many fans who pick up this disc will likely opt for the Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack (also an extremely satisfying mix) and optional English subtitles (white with easy-to-read, bold outlines) -- which is most certainly the best way to view Ichi. Though billed as a "Special Edition" on the cover, the only extras to be found on this disc are an entertaining commentary with director Miike and manga artist/writer Hideo Yamamoto (spoken in Japanese and subtitled in English) and a handful of other Tokyo Shock trailers. It certainly is fascinating to hear the always good-humored Miike and agreeable Yamamoto discuss both comparisons to the manga version and public reaction to the film; however, comparing this feature to the wealth of extras on the Region 2 release, one can't help but lament the fact that plans for a Region 1 two-disc Special Edition were aborted before it ever hit the shelves. When all is said and done, fans will certainly appreciate that a studio such as Tokyo Shock is willing -- and actually has the opportunity -- to release such a controversial feature during a time when large American studios are recklessly snagging up stateside rights to Asian films and prohibiting the importation of some of the most original cinema in recent years.