City Hunter: The Movie (Anime) DVD

Ryo Saeba and Kaori are hired by a young woman named Emi to find her long-lost brother — a former soldier who disappeared years ago and is now believed to be involved with a dangerous terrorist organization. The investigation takes City Hunter into darker territory than usual: the brother's history involves classified military operations, experimental conditioning, and a conspiracy that connects to powerful interests who want the case closed permanently. Between the gunfights and Ryo's chronic inability to stop hitting on every woman he encounters, a story with genuine emotional weight develops — particularly in the relationship between Emi and the man she is trying to save, and in the ending, which hits harder than the tone of most of the runtime suggests.

City Hunter: Goodbye My Sweetheart is a 1997 television special — the final original City Hunter animated production before the franchise went dormant until the 2019 theatrical film Shinjuku Private Eyes. Directed by Keiichi Sugiyama, Tetsuya Watanabe, and Kazuo Yamazaki, it runs approximately 91 minutes.

ADV Films released it in North America as "City Hunter: The Motion Picture" — their first release from the City Hunter franchise, on DVD on November 27, 2003. The franchise was later fully re-licensed by Discotek Media in 2019, who have been releasing the complete TV series, films, and specials in subtitled editions. The English dub uses "Joe Saeba" for Ryo, consistent with the other ADV City Hunter releases. 

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Directors: Keiichi Sugiyama, Tetsuya Watanabe & Kazuo Yamazaki
Screenplay: Kenji Kodama
Original Manga: Tsukasa Hojo (serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha, 1985–1991)
Studio: Sunrise
Music: Tatsumi Yano

Japanese Cast:
- Akira Kamiya as Ryo Saeba (Dragon Ball, City Hunter, Urusei Yatsura 2, Great Dangaioh)
- Kazue Ikura as Kaori Makimura (RG Veda, Project ARMS, City Hunter films)
- Yoko Asagami as Saeko Nogami
- Tessho Genda as Umibozu (Gate Keepers, Z.O.E. Dolores I, Metropolis, Akira)

English Dub Cast (ADV Films — Houston):
- Scott Simpson as Ryo Saeba / "Joe Saeba" (Oh My Goddess! OVA, Shinesman, City Hunter Secret Service)
- Tiffany Grant as Kaori Makimura (Evangelion, Nadesico, Sorcerer Hunters, Burn Up Excess, Noir, City Hunter Secret Service)
- Marcy Bannor as Saeko Nogami (Sorcerer Hunters, Burn Up Excess, City Hunter Secret Service)
- Jason Douglas as additional cast (Sorcerer Hunters, Arc the Lad, Dragon Ball Super — Beerus)

DVD Features (ADV Films)

- ADV Films Previews
- Note: ADV released this special as "City Hunter: The Motion Picture" — their first City Hunter release. Full franchise later re-licensed by Discotek Media (2019).

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese Audio, English Subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: シティーハンタースペシャル グッド・バイ・マイ・スイート・ハート (City Hunter Special: Goodbye My Sweetheart)
Runtime: ~91 Minutes (TV Special)
Directors: Keiichi Sugiyama, Tetsuya Watanabe & Kazuo Yamazaki
DVD Release Year: 2003 (U.S. Release, November 27 — ADV Films; released as "City Hunter: The Motion Picture")
Original Broadcast Date (Japan): April 11, 1997 (TV Special)
Publisher: ADV Films
Rating: 16+
Region: Region 1 (U.S. / Canada)
Note: Final original City Hunter anime production before 22-year hiatus. Released by ADV as "City Hunter: The Motion Picture" — first ADV City Hunter release. English dub uses "Joe Saeba" for Ryo. Full franchise later re-licensed by Discotek Media (April 2019).
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
Themes: Shinjuku Sweeper, Missing Soldier Brother, Terrorist Conspiracy, Final Classic City Hunter Production, Series Farewell

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.