
Crying Freeman OVA Collection
Crying Freeman follows a Japanese assassin hypnotized and trained by the Chinese mafia (called the "108 Dragons") to serve as its agent, and covered in a vast and complex dragon tattoo. A quiet but complicated killer, Freeman reflexively sheds tears after every killing as a sign of regret.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Crying Freeman OVA Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 6 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 6 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 5.5/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 5.5. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Crying Freeman OVA Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Crying Freeman 3: Shades of Death, Part 2 standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Crying Freeman OVA Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Crying Freeman OVA Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.

Crying Freeman 1: Portrait of a Killer
Emu Hino, a 29-year-old virgin, witnesses a mob hit and fears that the killer will now find her and kill her. Indeed, he sets out to do so; he's Yo Hinomura, a ...

Crying Freeman 2: Shades of Death, Part 1
With the blessing of the 108 Dragons, Yo and Emu marry and receive new names, Ron Tayan and Fu Ching Ran. The elders send them to Macau to find out who's behind...

Crying Freeman 3: Shades of Death, Part 2
Ron Tayan now leads the 108 Dragons; Fu Ching Ran is his loyal wife. As their body tattoos show, he's the dragon, she's the tiger. The 108 Dragons are attacked ...

Crying Freeman 4: A Taste of Revenge
Naitai, the evil head of the Great Bear God religion, hatches a plot to destroy the 108 Dragons. His henchman, Oshu Togoku, the world wrestling champion, squeez...

Crying Freeman 5: Abduction in Chinatown
In L.A.'s Chinatown, the crime cartel known as K.O. hatches a plot to bring down Ron Tayan and the 108 Dragons. Ron joins forces with the computer-savvy daughte...

Crying Freeman 6: The Guiding Light of Memory
CRYING FREEMAN: FINAL CHAPTER -- THE GUIDING LIGHT OF MEMORY (1993) is the sixth and last volume in the OAV series of Japanese anime adaptations of the "Crying ...
Common Questions about Crying Freeman OVA Collection
How many movies are in the Crying Freeman OVA Collection?
There are currently 6 movies in the Crying Freeman OVA Collection, starting from Crying Freeman 1: Portrait of a Killer to the latest release, Crying Freeman 6: The Guiding Light of Memory.
What is the best order to watch the Crying Freeman OVA Collection?
The best way to watch the Crying Freeman OVA Collection is usually in release order: starting with Crying Freeman 1: Portrait of a Killer and ending with Crying Freeman 6: The Guiding Light of Memory. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Crying Freeman OVA Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Crying Freeman 3: Shades of Death, Part 2 in this franchise.