Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit (2008) (2025)

Popular reviews

• Review by Randa ★★★

  Overly melodramatic. The film in general is not bad, but it could have explored the theme more, instead of focusing so much on the characters' death story, which ended up leaving the film a little shallow, confusing and absurdly depressing.

  
  Final Score : 75% 🍎

• Review by Rolf ★★★½

  In a dystopian future all citizens of Japan get an injection at a young age by law in order to be more 'productive' for the economy. Side effect: a very few of them may die from it after they've grown up...
  So, yeah, those conspiracy theory idiots nowadays may fall on their knees, but seriously, this was better than I expected. Usually it's the formula for a 'one-man-against-the world' scenario which has a brave guy (or girl) fight the system. IKIGAMI is not it. It basically just consists of three first acts as we follow three people who get the death note (those who die are notified 24 hours prior of their death) and experience their own little melodrama. Those…

• Review by ghost ★★★★½

  an absolute shame this movie hasn't been seen by more. it's beautiful, heartbreaking,but heartwarming all in one. brought me to heavy, ugly tears multiple times but only ever left me feeling touched, rather than depressed.

  my favorite story by far is of the first victim and the people around him, but part of this is worth watching. it was a long movie, but i wanted it to be even longer. three hours, four hours even wouldn't feel like enough.

• Review by hotsake ★★★½

  This was not what I was expecting it to be and that was a good thing. This is also an "And then what" movie where I liked the movie but wasn't satisfied and spent the ending of the film thinking and then what? The tone was somber, the acting solid, the music was a little generic and the pacing was a bit too slow. This movie is basically broken up into three stories with each one being a little better than the last.

• Review by sick_ses ★★★½

  It's an interesting concept it just isn't executed all that well and it takes like 40 minute's to an hour for the movie to start getting interesting
  I also hate how the movie gets left on a cliff hanger.

• Review by Minos ★★★★½

  Strikes such a great balance between showing the desperation that is induced by the great, low-key yet scary premise, while at the same time leaving you thinking that the evil government scheme at the center of it all indeed has the exact effect that propaganda claims it has. That thesis, which is introduced to you in the very beginning, may seem unvonvincing then, but actually appears not more wicked and less believable as the movie goes on, but freakily plausible. The film achieves that despite a growing sense of cruelty that it keeps layering onto you throughout.

  The way this plays out its premise, separating the runtime into multiple chapters that hook you in within their first minute, yet each…

• Review by Chan Chiu-wai ★★★★½

  i don't cry usually watching a film but i couldn't help myself.

• Review by LadySasori ★★★ 1

  The manga was so amazing, watching the live wasn't a good experience, it lacks of exploring the main characters and the dystopia isn't felt as hell on earth like in the manga.
  Quite disappointed.

• Review by SK Ridoy ★★★★★

  Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit is a 2008 Japanese film directed by Tomoyuki Takimoto and based on the manga series of the same name by Motoro Mase. The film is a thought-provoking drama that explores the consequences of a government program that randomly selects citizens to receive a lethal injection, with the goal of reminding the rest of the population of the value of life.

  Review: The cinematography of the film is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and dynamic camera work that captures the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the story. The actors give strong performances.

  Overall, Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit is a gripping and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the value of human life and the role of government in society. Its powerful message and captivating storytelling make it a must-see for fans of drama and social commentary.

• Review by Daphné ★★★★★

  To Live a Fantastic Life one must have Fear of Death.
  If you come to know that you are going to die in 24 hours, what will you do??
  I for surely know what am gonna do, now that I have watched the movie I would like to have atleast 1 whole years time to carry out whatever is left for me to do.

  Appreciate everything n everybody on letterboxd.
  ❤️ You All.

• Review by Liliana ★★★★½

  A very smart dystopia. This is not your regular the earth is scorched or freezing or the air is poisonous or civilization has collapsed and people have regressed to a tribal society scenario.
  Things look quite normal in this society but one day it was decided that a percentage of the population must be killed between the ages of 18 and 24 for the common good. By instilling the fear of death in the population the value of life is reaffirmed. This is the National Prosperity Law. Those who do not agree to this social contract are deemed defective thinkers and guilty of thought crimes (yes, it sounds very Orwellian).
  It makes sense it was made by the Japanese, a…

• Review by Marco ★★★★

  Any fan of dystopian movies will love this manga adaptation. Of course this has a lot of 1984 by George Orwell to it and gives a new meaning to how to enjoy life. Also I loved the human side they showed when the "death letters" were delivered.

  Live-action movies adapted from manga