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In this 1998 television series, four bishonen (beautiful boys) work as florists to cover their activities as the vigilante posse Weiß Kreuz, the Knights of the White Cross. Ex-soccer pro Ken fights with a ninja claw; self-styled ladies' man Yoji uses nooses; computer ace Omi fires poison darts and crossbow bolts; sullen, taciturn Aya wields a traditional samurai sword. The Knights assassinate murderers, kidnappers, and sexual predators when their hidden superiors tell them, "Hunters of the Night, Deny these Dark Beasts their tomorrows." Knight Hunters begins as a sort of male version of Bubblegum Crisis, with the dedicated quartet squabbling among themselves before they fight as a unit. But after the first few episodes, it turns into an elaborate and bloody soap opera of vengeance, hidden identities, and old family wrongs that must be righted. Their main target in the first adventure is the evil Masafumi Takatori, who tries to assume dictatorial powers when he's elected Prime Minister. After Takatori's murder, the series grows increasingly bizarre with supernatural and satanic elements. The Knights have to take out a musician whose songs induce insanity, a serial kidnapper, a trio of cult leaders, and the still-active agents of Takatori. The last episodes are heavily padded, and the ending is a classic cliffhanger, leaving open the possibility of additional adventures--should anyone be interested. (Rated 13 and older, but more appropriate for 16 and older: violence, violence against women, brief nudity, sexual situations, grotesque imagery, torture, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
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