Wicked City: Underrated Gem or Just Plain Weird?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Wicked City (1987) and... wow. What a trip. I went it totally blind since the director is unknown. Animation-wise, it's stunning, especially those crazy demon transformations. But story-wise? It's all over the place, in a way that's kinda charming, but also leaves you scratching your head. The whole concept of a Black World of demons, the peace treaty, and the Virgin Messenger feels like it's pulled from a dozen different anime and manga, mashed together in a blender, and then poured into a very stylish, very adult animation. Maki, the female demon cop, is a total badass, and I dug her character design. She's definitely the stand-out. Taki, the human cop, is basically there to react to everything going on around him, which I guess is fine. And some of the demon designs are honestly terrifying, especially the spider woman! That scene in the hotel room? Nightmare fuel! What was up with the weird erotic elements? It feels... unnecessary and kind of forced. I'm not prudish, but it felt like they were trying too hard to be edgy. Ultimately, I think Wicked City is worth checking out if you're into 80s anime and don't mind a plot that's a bit of a mess. The visuals alone are worth the price of admission – it definitely has a unique style. It's the kind of film that sticks with you, even if you're not entirely sure why. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this one? Would love to hear your thoughts! Maybe I missed something crucial in the plot along the way!