The Fable

Akira Sato, a legendary hitman feared by the criminal underworld, is given a new mission by his boss: retire from his violent life and live a normal life in Osaka for six months. He is forbidden from killing anyone, and if he breaks the rule, he will be killed. To achieve this, he moves with his younger sister, who believes he is a regular office worker, and takes on a mundane desk job.

The Fable received generally positive reviews, with praise for its unique blend of brutal action and dark comedy. Critics highlighted Tatsuya Fujiwara's performance and the film's stylish direction, though some found the plot occasionally convoluted.

• Praised for its inventive action sequences and humorous undertones.
• Tatsuya Fujiwara's portrayal of a retired assassin adapting to normalcy was a standout.
• Some found the pacing and narrative elements could be more streamlined.

Google audience: Audience reviews often mention the film's surprising comedic elements and the effective contrast between its violent premise and the protagonist's attempts at a normal life. Many enjoyed the unique take on the hitman genre.

The film is based on a Japanese manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Katsuhisa Minami, which has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2014.