**SPOILERS ABOUND**
Okay, I finally got to see this movie after having to deal with lost orders and delays in shipping. I just have a few questions about how some viewed the ending.
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Originally Posted by JFelix
That's Jiji. The boy at the end is Ichi. I think Ichi figures out he's being manipulated, which is completely freeing to him since the whole rape was a trick by Jijii. Once Ichi figures this out, Jiji realises he cannot control Ichi anymore and kills himself.
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I thought this theory made perfect sense after first viewing it, but a small detail nagged me. I don't think the boy at the end looked that much like Ichi. I've freeze framed the final image and there is little doubt in my mind, and I could be wrong, it isn't Ichi. I've read the theories that point out he had a noticeable limp that likely would have been a result of his gunshot wound, but it just doesn't appear to be him. If I could get past this point, I would agree, on the whole, with your assessment.
I don't really know, but personally, I thought the boy at the end was Takeshi, the ex-cop's son, based on the small visual cue of the crow flying over his shoulder. Of course by assuming that the Takeshi is the person in the final shot requires a whole new line of reasoning as to why Jijii would kill himself. Using JFelix' explanation, if he realizes he can't control Ichi any longer why would he wait so many years later to kill himself? I don't think he would. So, I'm left still trying to piece together why Jijii kills himself. I'll have to think about it some more.
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Edited to omit extraneous info --12/20/03
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Miike's a bit too fond of non (Or trick) endings if you ask me. I love the guy, but sometimes the endings, though once you put them together sort of makes sense, that doesn't make them any less staggering (I debated the ending of 'City of Lost Souls' with a bunch of friends afterwards and came to a conclusion which makes sense, but is still maddening.)
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Would you mind sharing? I've thought about it some, but never really came to a satisfying explanation, myself.