My personal favorite animated films from Japan
Now everybody in the States knows or at least has heard of Japanese Animae, an art forum that unlike animation here in the U.S caters to not only the youth of Japan but adults as well. The boundaries of animation that have restricted the art forum here in the west are virtually non-existent in Asia. In the West most animated films are usually rated, PG or PG13 and have little to offer to a more adult audience.
AKIRA 1988
In Japan however this is not the case, films like Akira, a cyberpunk exploration into the realm of metaphysics, is not for your average 12 or 13 year old viewer. And is by far one of the best animated films of all time, acclaimed both in Japan and in the U.S as well, for its complex and thought provoking plot, of a near God like being hidden within a government controlled facility.
Released in 1988 Akira is set in a dark pot war Japan of 2019. Were a third world war has once again destroyed much of Tokyo, the survivors of the third nuclear holocaust, struggle to overcome, an oppressive government, a struggling economy, and a near collapse of organized society. Neo-Tokyo an artificial man made island in the middle of Tokyo bay is a victim of wide spree violence and poverty, where organized biker gangs wreak havoc upon society. One member of such a biker gang Tetsuo Shima, who like Akira a child captured by the Japanese government in the mid 80’s, begins to developed near God like powers. This particular piece of art is a great way to introduce your self into Japanese animation. My only hope for this movie is that the live-action remake set to be release in fall of 2011 does the original martial justice.
JIN ROH 1999Another example of dystopian animated films would Jin Roh or the Wolf brigade, released in 1999, Jin Roh unlike Akira, is more of a true dystopian, along the line of 1984 or V for Vendetta. There is little to nearly nothing of a metaphysical subplot to it. However Jin Roh is more of an alternate future inspired by the chaos and turmoil of post World War Two Japan. Struggling to deal with its occupation and reconstruction.
But in Jin Roh time-line, WWII went in an entirely different direction, rather then being conquered by the United States in 1945, the Third Rich, having not been destroyed by the allied powers, has claimed control over its former ally.
The color palate of grays, and dark blues, along with highly advanced military power armor used, by the capital police; a sort of offshoot of the SS evokes the felling of a fascists regime. The film deals with political and social chaos, as splinter cells of organized civilian lead terrorist groups, seek to over through the puppet government. And restore Japan to its former imperial glory; well an internal power struggle already threatens the stability of the regime. I would personally recommend this film if you are a fan of the dystopian genera (like me) my only hope for this film, is that it will never be remade for an American audience, a remake is always a let down, and I do not wish to see this film destroyed.ANIMATRIX 2003
Now a personal favorite of mine going along with the theme of dystopian-esq future, would have to be the Animatrix released in 2003, as a sort prequel to the Matrix Reloaded, the Animatrix deepens the mythos set up in the first film, in a series of short stand alone tales set with in the Matrix world.
The first two “The second Renaissance” tells the story of the world before the matrix, set some 200 hundred years before the first film. The two part story describes the collapse of mankind into a world of decadence, and the second part tells of the war between man and machine that eventually leads to the creation of the Matrix. The lengths of each story runs anywhere from 10 minuets to 20 minuets, each with a different art style and visual brilliance.
I personal prefer the Animatrix over its two sequels. My one wish for this film is that the Wachowski brothers decided to release a second animated short.
THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME2005
Now for a much lighter animated film I would recommend The girl who leapt through time, recommend to me a be a close friend. This film does not offer much originality in the animation style, however what it lack in originality it makes up for in the plot.
As the title hints at, yes this is a time travel movie, but not in the sense of back to the future. The film follows the life of a Japanese high school girl Makoto Konno, and her misadventures life. Until one day she stumbles across an advance piece of technology that is able to send the user back or forward in time, she is able to use the device to change any event of situation that is more fitting to her liking. However the consequences of doing so are great then she ever expected. It is a heart warming coming of age type story. The plot is simple yet thought provoking; I would recommend this film just for the acting alone. Yes that may sound odd but to convey emotions using only ones voice is an impressive feet of acting. The girl who leapt through time is a mix of humor and teenage rebellion. And unlike my previous three posts in this blog, it will not leave you wondering. In short; The girl who leapt through time is a perfect starter film for the casual viewer.
In short the above four films are all great and unique in their own way, but as I am still discovering new anime films all the time I am sure will have more to add in a few months. But for the mean time if you are anything like me a lover of films, then I would recommend any of these for your viewing pleaser.
