Yo-Yo Girl Cop (Sukeban Deka: Codename Asamiya Saki) (2006)

39% of users liked it
(2,646 ratings)

A female delinquent detective discovers an apocalyptic plot by a nefarious underground website in director Kenta Fukasaku's take on the popular serious previously adapted for the screen in film, television, and anime form. Asamiya (Aya Matsuura) is a tough New York City street kid who doesn't take… More A female delinquent detective discovers an apocalyptic plot by a nefarious underground website in director Kenta Fukasaku's take on the popular serious previously adapted for the screen in film, television, and anime form. Asamiya (Aya Matsuura) is a tough New York City street kid who doesn't take kindly to authority figures. When Japanese officials discover a cryptic but undoubtedly sincere threat from a website known for offering tips on committing suicide and constructing bombs, they immediately have Asamiya whisked back to Tokyo, trained by the police force's special operatives unit, and placed under the care of stern Kazutoshi Kira (Riki Takeuchi). With few clues to go by and only 72 hours to spare, Asamiya must venture into Seisen High and wield her deadly yo-yo against a dangerous group who seems all too determined to set the city ablaze. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Kenta Fukasaku
Genres: Art House & International, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Oct 22, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jul 17, 2007

Critic Reviews

Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Takes itself much too seriously with very little yo yo action to be had...
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
An excellent example of breathing life into a creatively idle concept, Yo Yo Girl Cop is a certified cult phenomenon just waiting for international fans to find it.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
What's not to love about catfights, teenage secret agents, and slo-mo yo-yo action?
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
If this movie is to be believed then Japanese high schools are even more hellish than their counterparts in the West.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Kylie B

I expected this to be really cheesy and naff, and...well, in certain areas it still was. However, it was also a lot more seriously entertaining than I initially gave it credit for. The only thing I didn't really care for was the turncoat agent's stripperiffic PVC ensemble in… More
I expected this to be really cheesy and naff, and...well, in certain areas it still was. However, it was also a lot more seriously entertaining than I initially gave it credit for. The only thing I didn't really care for was the turncoat agent's stripperiffic PVC ensemble in the finale. I mean, who wears something so revealing when they know there's likely to be a serious fight?
Luke B

I watched in absolute awe for this entire film. It promised a Yo-Yo Girl Cop and it certainly delivered that and more. In it's La Femme Nikita way of giving a girl a chance to save her mother by cooperating with the police we are shown a girl with everything to gain. It's… More
I watched in absolute awe for this entire film. It promised a Yo-Yo Girl Cop and it certainly delivered that and more. In it's La Femme Nikita way of giving a girl a chance to save her mother by cooperating with the police we are shown a girl with everything to gain. It's great that she is uneasy at first, she makes mistakes and can't use her weapon to save her life. It's unashamedly fun and very damn sexy. I mean just when I didn't think it could get any better the last 20 minutes roll around and everybody is dressing sexier than they were previously and get into some awesome action fighting...with Yo-Yo's. I want a sequel NOW damnit. Don't expect anything too cerebral here, just break out a Yp-Yo and get ready to kick ass and get turned on.
Justin Y

Based off of the Yo-Yo Girl Cop anime, this live action film falls just a bit short of being truly spectacular.The story is actually pretty good and it is just enough to push this movie along, since there is only minimal action. The title of this film is a… More
Based off of the Yo-Yo Girl Cop anime, this live action film falls just a bit short of being truly spectacular.The story is actually pretty good and it is just enough to push this movie along, since there is only minimal action. The title of this film is a little deceiving because the yo-yo aspect of the story isn't great and the yo-yo itself isn't put to good use until the ending.This movie takes a different approach from other movies coming from animes or mangas. Instead of going for that over-the-top wackiness, this film focuses on a serious dramatic story with only a tad bit of comedy thrown in. This works out good, but the downside for this film is that it does feel a little slow at times and with only a 90 minute runtime you come to expect a little more out of this. The action is minimal and this is a disappointment. After seeing the cover and the great stylish opening credits you think you are in for a fancy yo-yo roller coaster ride. No such luck. All the action is left until the very end and even then it isn't all that great. There is only one semi-big yo-yo fight and it isn't even with the final villain.The acting is good, except for one person in the very beginning. Let me just say that the black woman playing an American officer puts on a horrible performance. The lead, Aya Matsuura, and the three members of Biyuuden carry the bulk of this film. So you have 4 beautiful girls running the show. Can't argue with that.It is true that Yo-Yo Girl Cop isn't as entertaining as it sounds, but with the catchy theme song it is worth the watch.
Steve K

More serious in it's violence and themes than it sounds, yet still performing on an adolescent level, this was a strange and amusing affair, kept watchable mostly because I wanted to see where it would go next.
alan j

check your brain at the door with this flick! lead character defends herself with only a yo-yo, and the battle at the end with her nemisis is yo-yo against yo-yo!! I am not making this up. A muddled plot, weak script and shoddy direction---trust me the best part of this movie is the… More
check your brain at the door with this flick! lead character defends herself with only a yo-yo, and the battle at the end with her nemisis is yo-yo against yo-yo!! I am not making this up. A muddled plot, weak script and shoddy direction---trust me the best part of this movie is the eye candy..the 4 main female actresses are all stunning and cute as can be.
Marcus W

This was potentially the greatest film ever made, sadly the budget and the director and the actors and the writers all joined together to make it rubbish. The only yo-yo action is at the end in the dark. One of those ideas that sounded fantastic in someones head but didn't… More
This was potentially the greatest film ever made, sadly the budget and the director and the actors and the writers all joined together to make it rubbish. The only yo-yo action is at the end in the dark. One of those ideas that sounded fantastic in someones head but didn't translate very well when brought out.