This is known as "Accuracy of Death" on local screens - which in turn cause a number of people to mistake it for some horror flick casting Takeshi as a psycho killer. Jerrie who has booked the movie tickets as a belated birthday treat, was puzzled as to why I would "want to watch some stupid horror movie about death."

I convinced him this movie is gonna be enjoyable and a far cry from what he is anticipating, whether or not one admires Takeshi's silky mane or his chiselled looks.

The story begins with the Shinigami-God of Death, Chiba who roams the living world with his Sidekick / boss in the form of a black dog. His assignments basically requires him to judge the mortals on their worth in the living world to decide whether "death sentence" should be "proceeded" or "passed on".

Sounds grim, but how frightening can the movie be when Mr Grim Reaper is in the form of Takeshi complete with a doggie for a companion?

Chiba learns more about humanity, love and the value of life through the eyes of his "subjects", namely a depressed OL, a yakuza boss and an elderly hair dresser.

Takeshi is only one of the many reasons why I have been anticipating this movie since Jan 08. (though pple like Jerrie, PH and Hazel will fall over themselves to disagree)