The Film Forum anime thread

johnny_ultimate

I know there's a dedicated forum for this stuff, but I think feature anime is producing some wonderful works that are getting all but ignored by film fans. So here's a thread to keep track of some of the wonderful full-length animations coming from Japan, plus to provide recommendations for film fans who do not brave the wilds of dedicated anime forums. It's a constant frustration for me that these films don't receive more attention when so many are amongst the finest films (not just animated) being released today - sometimes even far and above the work of the great Pixar.

Was prompted to start this thread due to a few updates on the Ghibli front: http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/02/latest-news-on-studio-ghiblis-new-projects-by-hayao-miyazaki-isao-takahata-and-goro-miyazaki.php So it seems old Hayao ain't retiring just yet, and frankly I'm delighted Takahata's Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is coming along. It's based on a traditional Japanese artwork (worth a google) and Takahata has consistently proven himself a brave stylistic innovator so I'm excited. Not sold on Goro Miyasaki yet - have to watch Poppy Hill first to see if the bad taste left over from Earthsea can wash away!

Of course, there's more to Japanese animation to Ghibli, and I was delighted to see mention of Mamorou Hosoda's Wolf Children over the weekend. There's only one image so far, but Summer Wars is a film I have a huge fondness of so can't wait to see his follow-up:



Similarly, the bound-to-be-legendary Makato Shinkai (Voices of a Distant Star, 5cm per Second) has already completed The Children Who Chase Voices from Deep Below. It's out on DVD and BR in Japan, but I just haven't got a chance to give it a gander yet. I'd love to think to think it will get a release of some sort over these parts, but 5cm... took years to achieve even a small DVD release here, so it could be a while. Looks gorgeous though, and I can't wait to give it a gander when I have some time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlh7-e8Njnc

And of course, we have Eva 3.0: You Can (Not) Undo incoming this year, which is probably my most anticipated film in a decade (no word of hyperbole). Let us only hope it and the others mentioned above receive Western releases sooner rather than later!

Sasquatch76

Thanks for this johnny - I've been tempted to start something similar for a while now, but really didn't know where to start.

Essentially, I've seen very little anime, and the titles I have seen are almost ubiquitous at this stage; Akira, Ghost in the Shell etc. Given the huge diversity in movies and series, it'd be a great resource to have a thread like this making recommendations, and keeping fans abreast of upcoming releases etc.

Will be keeping an eye on this!

Glico Man

On your very recommendation mr. mod sir I have seen both Evangelion films recently, again, and my most anticipated film this year bar TDKR is the third film. Fantastic films. Haven't seen much other than Studio Ghibli titles, Ghost in the Shell, Earthsea (appears I'm the only person on the planet that doesn't hate it :pac:), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and a few others.

Ordered Voices of a Distant Star a few weeks ago and is yet to arrive so I've that to look forward to.

johnny_ultimate

Sasquatch76 wrote: »

Essentially, I've seen very little anime, and the titles I have seen are almost ubiquitous at this stage; Akira, Ghost in the Shell etc. Given the huge diversity in movies and series, it'd be a great resource to have a thread like this making recommendations, and keeping fans abreast of upcoming releases etc.

Yeah, I think Akira / Ghost in the Shell / Ghibli are the only ones that have received mainstream acceptance, which is a real shame. The biggest problem with anime is simply finding what's worth watching. So much is buried at release or even not released at all. Indeed, fansubbing of anime is one of the few forms or 'piracy' that I find somewhat justified given the way company's slack off with their releases. Of course, there are various commercial reasons for that, but it's still deeply unfortunate. An argument for another time and place, perhaps.

aaronh007 wrote: »

On your very recommendation mr. mod sir I have seen both Evangelion films recently, again, and my most anticipated film this year bar TDKR is the third film. Fantastic films. Haven't seen much other than Studio Ghibli titles, Ghost in the Shell, Earthsea (appears I'm the only person on the planet that doesn't hate it :pac:), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and a few others.

Ordered Voices of a Distant Star a few weeks ago and is yet to arrive so I've that to look forward to.

Glad you enjoyed them They really are astonishing films. If you haven't seen them yet, Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV show) is well worth a watch to fill the gap: especially since it will allow you to watch the transcendent End of Evangelion when you're finished, which is in many ways superior to the Rebuild movies.

Voices of a Distant Star is a gorgeous little film (only half an hour long). Did you order the boxset with The Place Promised in Our Early Days?

Mickeroo

Whats the deal with Evangelion? I remember years ago watching one of the movies but it seemed like it was bits from the series edited together into a pretty incoherent narrative, i had no idea what was going on since i wasn't familiar with the series? Is there actual theatrical movies besides this?

johnny_ultimate

There are technically four movies with two more to come. Actually technically there's a bit more than that with reissues and reedits and the like but to all extents and purposes this is the way they should be watched:

Death & Rebirth - which is the incoherent one you probably saw! It's best ignored, as there's not really much to get out of it. First half is an hour long recap of the TV series (which should be watched first in any case!). Rebirth is the first half of...

End of Evangelion - a follow-up to the series. Basically two alternative episodes that reimagine the end of the TV series. It's absolutely amazingly good, but won't make a lick of sense if you haven't seen Neon Genesis. Even then, it's a bit out there :P

Evangelion 1.0/1.11 - You Are (Not) Alone: first film in the four film 'Rebuild'. A big budget reboot, effectively. This doesn't depart hugely from the first couple of episodes of the original anime series, but does make everything really pretty and HD.

Evangelion 2.0/2.22 - You Can (Not) Advance: second film in the reboot. This is where it gets good. A fantastic film, that really makes some significant changes to the flow of the story.

Evangelion 3.0 / Final: The two as of yet unreleased films in the reboot series. Meant to be released this year and next, although going by Gaimax's history, I'd be very surprised if they pulled it off!

Mickeroo

Ah yes, Death & Rebirth was the one I saw alright. I had not a notion what was going on

Will be giving the rest a look in the near future hopefully, may even track down the tv series, if only it was on netflix.

johnny_ultimate

Mickeroo wrote: »

Will be giving the rest a look in the near future hopefully, may even track down the tv series, if only it was on netflix.

Even if it was odds are it would be dubbed like Gurren Lagann is

US one has a handful of subbed anime shows - Death Note, most notably (ho ho notably - pun!) - but doesn't seem like there's anything on the Irish one. I literally cannot watch anymore than a few minutes of dubbed anime at a time. Makes my ears bleed It's a shame, because there's stuff on there I'd love to watch.

allanb49

I've been meaning to watch Grave of the Fireflies for ages, people keep saying how fantastic yet depressing it is.

e_e

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya was the best anime since End of Evangelion imo. Brilliant script, intriguing concepts, sympathetic characters, tense drama, beautiful artwork and a very fine use of a 160 minute running time. Near perfect movie.

Glico Man

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Glad you enjoyed them They really are astonishing films. If you haven't seen them yet, Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV show) is well worth a watch to fill the gap: especially since it will allow you to watch the transcendent End of Evangelion when you're finished, which is in many ways superior to the Rebuild movies.

Voices of a Distant Star is a gorgeous little film (only half an hour long). Did you order the boxset with The Place Promised in Our Early Days?

Yeah I love them, desperate to see the 3rd film. Trying to source the t.v show now, hopefully the place I ordered Voices of a Distant Star from can get it for me. They couldn't get the box set at the time of ordering but they're getting The Place Promised in Our Early Days for me as well. Also getting Summer Wars at some stage too.

johnny_ultimate

e_e wrote: »

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya was the best anime since End of Evangelion imo. Brilliant script, intriguing concepts, sympathetic characters, tense drama, beautiful artwork and a very fine use of a 160 minute running time. Near perfect movie.

I've been meaning to watch this, although I've heard quite a few reports that the TV series is an essential prelude? Still haven't had the time to watch it, so it will languish in the 'to watch' pile for a little while yet

e_e

A quick read over of the plot and events of the series will suffice I think. I find the confusion's part of the fun of this franchise anyway.

TheIrishGrover

Great thread Johnny. I got "The Children Who Chase Voices from Deep Below" on BD when on holidays in Japan for New Year's. It's a lovely movie with wonderful animation. I also have "5cm per second" and "Voices of a Distant Star" on DVD and the animation is in keeping with their style.

People need to know it's not all hyper-violent or tits-n-tentacles. But it's not just Ghibli either. Don't get me wrong, I love Ghibli and they deserve every plaudit they get and ANYONE who has even a partial interest in any form of animation owes it to themselves to see them all. I've visited the museum 4 times and hope to again. But there are AMAZING films that people are missing. Probably my favourite non-Ghibli anime is ""Summer Wars"". It juuuuust pips Mamoru Hosoda's other great, "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" because of the amazing characters. Every single character (and there are quite a few) have their own distinct personality and the little background animations are brilliantly observed. It also is probably the most beautiful 2d animated film I've seen on Blu-Ray. I can't wait to see his next. The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki (Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5V6P7xw8XA

Just check out these two clips from Summer Wars and Ghost In The Shell: Innocence.

Summer Wars trailer (I didn't like the dub but I watch with subtitles anyway if I can)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzQLg2U4erI

And a scene from Ghost In The Shell: Innocence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qdc_Cfi1-k

What more needs to be said?

Sindri

Possibly Miyazaki's best known film and the best feature film Miyazaki has made in my opinion...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP6DnVzmaAE

Just a beautiful film. 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'.
In 2005 a remastered English dubbed version was released with Shia Lebeouf, Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman and Patrick Stewart. Certainly, in my opinion one of the best Anime films ever and my favourite.



A recent film by Miyazaki, based on 'The Burrowers', 'The Secret World Of Arrietty' is very good. The UK release had Saoirse Ronan as the eponymous character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CtIXPhPo0g

Hols: Prince of the Sun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGl-boEScV8

Another good Anime film, from 1968. It was directed by Isao Takahata and Miyazaki worked as an animator.
I seen this film once, subtitled, on Film4. It's beautiful.

WarbossPepe

does anybody know if they're releasing 'The Secret World Of Arrietty' in Ireland?

johnny_ultimate

WarbossPepe wrote: »

does anybody know if they're releasing 'The Secret World Of Arrietty' in Ireland?

It's been out a while Got a cinema release last Summer, and was released on DVD / Blu-Ray just before Christmas. Just known as Arrietty over here though.

Don't watch the dub though (I was forced to through projection related shenanigans). It's a travesty, although Ronan gives it her best shot.

Fysh

Ah, that bittersweet moment when you realise that:
a) YAY! Netflix has a good chunk of anime I'd quite like to check out, but
b) BOOOOO! They've only got the manky US dubbed audio...

I made this face when I realised.

That being said, I decided to lump it and check out The Girl Who Leapt Through Time the other day and really enjoyed it. Some really good visuals and a good amount of visual humour help move what's basically lightweight sci-fi (with some dark moments, admittedly) along at a brisk rate, which helps stop the high school drama bits of the story from getting bogged down. It was quite a pleasant surprise to see a lightweight take on time travel like this explore the complexities that would result from trying to use it as a way of "fixing" things.

I still wish I could've watched the subtitled version, though

Sindri

Sindri wrote: »

Hols: Prince of the Sun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGl-boEScV8

Another good Anime film, from 1968. It was directed by Isao Takahata and Miyazaki worked as an animator.
I seen this film once, subtitled, on Film4. It's beautiful.

I'm just after watching this movie again. It's absolutely fantastic. If you're interested in anime then I would highly recommend this. It's better subtitled and the music is just so, so beautiful.

Sindri

I'm just after re-watching 5 Centimetres Per Second again.

It is such a beautiful film, and so sad. It leaves you slightly depressed, you're shown such unresolved beauty and love that the characters may never achieve, it is very sad.

I'd recommend it almost solely on the imagery and visuals which are fantastic but the accompanying stories are better and bitterly poignant, they somehow occupy an Aristotelian mean between an expectant but unrequited hope and a bleak disconsolation.

Very poignant.

Oranage2

I've got US netflix and was wondering if anybody can suggest a good movie on it for a novice anime watcher - cheers

Sindri

Oranage2 wrote: »

I've got US netflix and was wondering if anybody can suggest a good movie on it for a novice anime watcher - cheers

It depends. Would you like fanciful Anime or maybe slightly more real or gritty stuff?

Oranage2

Sindri wrote: »

It depends. Would you like fanciful Anime or maybe slightly more real or gritty stuff?

Not really sure, the only anime movie I watched was Spirited away, I use to watch pokemon and gave the ole yu-gi-oh a watch too.

I'm not sure if that has helped you?

Sindri

Oranage2 wrote: »

Not really sure, the only anime movie I watched was Spirited away, I use to watch pokemon and gave the ole yu-gi-oh a watch too.

I'm not sure if that has helped you?

I would try:

Sindri wrote: »

Possibly Miyazaki's best known film and the best feature film Miyazaki has made in my opinion...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP6DnVzmaAE

Just a beautiful film. 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'.
In 2005 a remastered English dubbed version was released with Shia Lebeouf, Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman and Patrick Stewart. Certainly, in my opinion one of the best Anime films ever and my favourite.

This is one of the few Anime films I would watch dubbed. I love this film, it's my favourite Anime film.

I would definitely recommend this film to you and anyone interested in Anime. It's just so perfect and fanciful.

Give it a try Oranage2, you won't be disappointed. Or at least you'd better not be. :mad::)

Oranage2

Sindri wrote: »

I would try:



This is one of the few Anime films I would watch dubbed. I love this film, it's my favourite Anime film.

I would definitely recommend this film to you and anyone interested in Anime. It's just so perfect and fanciful.

Give it a try Oranage2, you won't be disappointed. Or at least you'd better not be. :mad::)

Cheers Sindri - Unfortunately I didnt see it on Netflix so I went for "Appleseed" instread.

It is on google video so I shall give it a look later.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Sindri

Oranage2 wrote: »

Cheers Sindri - Unfortunately I didnt see it on Netflix so I went for "Appleseed" instread.

It is on google video so I shall give it a look later.

Thanks for the suggestion.

You're welcome.

johnny_ultimate

Sindri wrote: »

I'm just after re-watching 5 Centimetres Per Second again.

It is such a beautiful film, and so sad. It leaves you slightly depressed, you're shown such unresolved beauty and love that the characters may never achieve, it is very sad.

I'd recommend it almost solely on the imagery and visuals which are fantastic but the accompanying stories are better and bitterly poignant, they somehow occupy an Aristotelian mean between an expectant but unrequited hope and a bleak disconsolation.

Very poignant.

I like the film a lot, but always found its last act descent into music video a peculiar decision. Apparently the whole film was meant to be that way or something very odd!

Still, Shinkai is definitely one of anime's most interesting voices.

Oranage2

Sindri wrote: »

You're welcome.

Just finished watching it - Really amazing movie any other suggestions, as in the must see for anime?

johnny_ultimate

There's not an awful lot of great anime 'features' on Netflix. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is pretty good, as mentioned above, and there's quite a few of the great Ghibli films on there too...

ntlbell

It's something I'm always putting on my to do list is to watch more anime.

Do any of you have any good resources for details of new releases reviews etc that's specifically for anime? like the imdb of anime

johnny_ultimate

ntlbell wrote: »

It's something I'm always putting on my to do list is to watch more anime.

Do any of you have any good resources for details of new releases reviews etc that's specifically for anime? like the imdb of anime

http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/ is the closet thing, really.

The biggest problem is trying to keep track of what's worth watching. Mostly you just kind of hear about stuff through hearsay and chance. I remember I just bought a Place Promised in Our Early Days / Voices from a Distant Star boxset completely randomly when I saw it in a shop: would have been a while until I heard of Shinkai as a director otherwise!

bada_bing

thanks to this thread , i really was blown away by the animation in Children that listen to voices down below and it's a really captivating movie to watch!! definitely one for the blu-ray/dvd collection!!

ntlbell

bada_bing wrote: »

thanks to this thread , i really was blown away by the animation in Children that listen to voices down below and it's a really captivating movie to watch!! definitely one for the blu-ray/dvd collection!!

Yep it's really recommending some great films Johnny seems to know his stuff

johnny_ultimate

ntlbell wrote: »

Yep it's really recommending some great films Johnny seems to know his stuff

I alas have nowhere near enough time to watch as much anime as I'd like. Just about have enough time to keep up with Persona 4: The Animation (anime series of my all time favourite video game) at the moment :pac:

But anything I've found has been through sheer luck - whether it's trawling through DVD stores or just throwaway comments on message boards. These films face a constant struggle to get noticed, so hopefully this thread will encourage more people to check 'em out.

Quite tempted to start a sister thread for general Japanese cinema, actually. So much more to it than Kurosawa and J-horror

johnny_ultimate

Ghibli jazz covers make me happy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlig_KmDzPs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUVnAKThTis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ssScIKNQE

Sad Professor

I watched Evangelion 1.11 last night. Pretty cool stuff. The series was obviously a big influence on The Matrix.

johnny_ultimate

Sad Professor wrote: »

I watched Evangelion 1.11 last night. Pretty cool stuff. The series was obviously a big influence on The Matrix.

Wait until you see 2.22. Without hyperbole, it's remarkable.

Sad Professor

What's the difference between 1.0 and 1.11, 2.0 and 2.2, etc? Are they just extended versions or something?

johnny_ultimate

Yeah basically just the theatrical and DVD versions, and to further confuse newcomers (think version 1.01 is a DVD extra too ). Just a few bonus scenes for the DVD. Think the major one in 1.11 is where Misato and Ritsuko are having a chat on the escalator, so nothing significant. I've seen 2.0 but honestly couldn't tell you what was added to 2.22.

e_e

Sad Professor wrote: »

I watched Evangelion 1.11 last night. Pretty cool stuff. The series was obviously a big influence on The Matrix.

Serial Experiments Lain is another great pre-Matrix anime show to watch. My favorite anime ever, in fact.

ntlbell

I hope this thread doesn't die an awful death

So I started last week on my watch at least one anime a month which I'm hoping I stick to.

I started off with

The Children Who Chase Voices from Deep Below.

This dragged me in right from the off it really is a beautiful film. There's not that many films I wake up and think about the day after watching but this really grabbed me.

I have a few others on the way that were recommended in the thread so I hope the recommendations keep on coming.

Kinski

Sad Professor wrote: »

I watched Evangelion 1.11 last night. Pretty cool stuff. The series was obviously a big influence on The Matrix.

Have you watched the TV series? I'd recommend that over Rebuild (except the last two episodes, which are skipable in favour of End of...)

johnny_ultimate

Kinski wrote: »

Sad Professor wrote: »

Have you watched the TV series? I'd recommend that over Rebuild (except the last two episodes, which are skipable in favour of End of...)

EOE is so very good it's a real shame most won't get around to it given the need to commit to the series first.

Curious to see the deviations in 3.0 and Final. Should be a pretty radical reimagining.

TheIrishGrover

ntlbell wrote: »

I hope this thread doesn't die an awful death

So I started last week on my watch at least one anime a month which I'm hoping I stick to.

I started off with

The Children Who Chase Voices from Deep Below.

This dragged me in right from the off it really is a beautiful film. There's not that many films I wake up and think about the day after watching but this really grabbed me.

I have a few others on the way that were recommended in the thread so I hope the recommendations keep on coming.

That's actually a good idea, having a weekly recommendation. Obviously I could plum for Ghibli but I'm sure most here have seen most of Ghibli's output so let's start it off with another one. Summer Wars and The Girl Who Leapt Through time have been mentioned (And both are....... AWESOME!!!) so let's start with 2001's Metropolis:

It really has a powerhouse pedigree. Based on Osamu Tezuka's (Astroboy) manga take on Fritz Lang's movie, the screenplay was by Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) and directed by Rintaro (I'm not familiar with him). The animation is wonderful and it's certainly an interesting anime take on another genre (even if it only barely resembles the source).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdxJHPucC8I

johnny_ultimate

Finally got around to ordering a copy of Children Who Chase... Luckily the Hong Kong version has been released so don't have to pay premium Japanese DVD prices.

TheIrishGrover

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Finally got around to ordering a copy of Children Who Chase... Luckily the Hong Kong version has been released so don't have to pay premium Japanese DVD prices.

Man, yeah. I was looking for a few Blu-Rays a few months ago on holidays. I remember them being expensive there but with the poor exchange rate etc they averaged out at around 45-50 euros (I got Children Who Chase and Arrietty (The version with the nice minimal packaging). Pricey but good.

johnny_ultimate

I remember someone saying (thinking it was the guy at the Anime Weekend a few years ago) that DVDs in Japan are a luxury item, especially with anime - they only expect a small number of dedicated otaku to buy them, and hence the inflated prices (not sure how that justifies the cost of Ghibli stuff, though). Apparently amazon and manga had to change their shipping policies when some Japanese otaku realised they could order anime from the UK for a fraction of the price :pac:

I did buy a copy of Ponyo on DVD before it was released around these parts (and before it got its painful dub). I think I got a copy of it in Seven-Eleven around Fuji - the cheapest I had seen it, and it was still like 4000 yen

Otacon

I watched Sword of the Stranger last night. Very enjoyable. The final fight scene was fantastically done.

Anyone know of similarly done samurai animes?

johnny_ultimate

Really wanted to watch some anime tonight so broke the cardinal rule and watched The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya on Netflix. Whatever about the dub (which was OK) the most grievous sin was the lack of translation for text :pac:

As a film, didn't find it too intimidating without having seen the series. Sure, there are a lot of references to the show throughout, but they always explain what you need to know (am curious to see the show now). Overall, I really enjoyed it, although think it did wander a bit over the extended running time.

Still, I was surprised how carefully, thoughtfully paced it was, and was far less obnoxious than I had always assumed Suzumiya as franchise was. Some very interesting characterisation and story twists and turns throughout. Introspective and moody for the most part, although with enjoyable lashings of humour and fan service.

e_e

I reckon you'd enjoy it even more in Japanese and also having seen the series.

Good show but the movie somehow turned out to be so much better than it had any right to be. The most genuine surprise I had watching a film in ages.

play4fun1

One of the best anime comedy's - Tokyo Godfathers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q6mcx2qF4Q

As well would recommend to watch The Sky Crawlers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvRFl0raLZc