Film Review: Mind Game

Continuing my posts centered around the works of anime director Yuasa Masaaki, today I wish to talk about the film that served as Masaaki's directorial debut back in 2004. Let's take a look at Mind Game.

Mind Game tells a simple story about a man named Nishi who runs into his childhood friend Myon- the woman he has loved all his life- only to learn she is soon to be married. While getting a free dinner at Myon's family's restaurant, Nishi meets Myon's fiance and comes to terms with him, accepting that he is probably the right man for Myon. However, things go awry when two mafiosos enter the restaurant looking for Myon's father. In the ensuing struggle between one of the mafiosos ruffing up the place and Nishi "attempting" to protect Myon from being raped, Nishi is shot through the anus and killed. However, after a meeting with God and being given a second chance at life, Nishi comes back and successfully saves Myon and her sister from the mafia. Nishi comes back with a new, invigorated stance on life: "Live life to the fullest, and don't live in regret!" 

The rest of the film's plot revolves around Nishi accidentally driving a car with Myon and her sister into a whale while fleeing from the mafia. Inside the whale they start a new life with an old man who has been trapped there for over 30 years. Here they learn more about themselves as the film dives deep into each of the character's psyches while showcasing some of the most strange but brilliant visual pornography I've ever seen. 

So why is the film worth your time and what is it really trying to say? A work by Masaaki senpai can't be as simple and mindless as a dude getting a second chance at life and getting trapped in a whale right!?!? Well yea...you're right. 

I'd like to first talk about the artistic direction of the show. Put out by Studio 4 degrees C, Mind Game has some of the most visually impressive scenes I've seen in an anime film. When Nishi meets God, God's physical form literally changes over a hundred times. This must have been extremely annoying (and is equally impressive) to pull off at the time, constantly having a new hand-drawn image on screen, every two seconds or so. Other equally impressive moments on the visual spectrum include the escape sequence towards the end of the film and the montage that shows the back stories of each character that plays at both the beginning and end of the film. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that a cool technique Masaaki utilizes in the film are segments in which the animated characters suddenly display the faces of an actual person. This blending of animation and reality is really cool and executed in a way that adds  more depth and emotion to the characters's dialogue and actions. 

The film's ultimate goal seems to lie with having viewers walk away with the message that no matter how our lives may play out, we must never live in regret. Live your life to the fullest and don't sit ideally by as time passes away. Live for the moment and follow your passions! This sense of grand positivity, even if you didn't buy into anything else this fantastic film offers viewers, is something I feel anyone can relate to and appreciate. 

*Did I mention the film's musical director was Shinichiro Watanabe btw ;)

Masaaki's directorial debut was a strong one back in 2004. Mind Game is a visual marvel with a minimalist approach to storytelling that I would highly recommend to anyone remotely interested in this film. 

The next review of Masaaki's work will probably be on his show "Kaiba" so stay tuned for that. Thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful day.

-Nights Off

Film Score: 9/10

A Dark Retelling of Romeo and Juliet vs Conceptual Madness (the Visual Diarrhea Dream) : A Look at Kemonozume

Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (or The Tatami Galaxy) is one of my all time favorite animes. It's unorthodox and stylistic art style had such a profound effect on me that I grew to love how weird it really looked. Since then, I was impressed all over again when I saw the brilliant Ping Pong: the Animation last season that utilized the same strange art style. It was here that I finally made the connection that both shows were directed by the brilliantly talented Yuasa Masaaki. Masaaki is an anime director who prides himself with fantastic original scripts (ping pong being his first adaptation) and the use of strange art directions in his shows. Having loved both Tatami and Ping Pong, I've decided it was about time to go back and check out all of Masaaki's work. As such, this is the first of a few more reviews I intend to do on his work as he is quickly becoming one of my favorite anime directors of all time. Anyways, without further delay let's take a look at the show Kemonozume. (Warning: I intend to speak about specific moments from the show, spoiler alert)

Kemonozume is a very strange show to talk about. It's even harder to recommend to most people and explain exactly what it is I like so much about it. Back in 2006 when it was first released, it was regarded as a very experimental and "out there" kind of show. Most certainly one that stood out from all of its competition at the time. At its core, Kemonozume is a sort of retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The story revolves around a world where humans are plagued by creatures known as "Flesh Eaters." These Flesh Eaters bear the appearance of normal humans, but at any time can transform into large (almost shark-like) beasts with large arms that consume humans. With the rise of such a threat in the world, there exists a secret society of swordsmen who have existed for generations known as the Kifuuken Organization. The Kifuuken's soul purpose is to eradicate Flesh Eaters and protect humanity from being consumed. 

Main character Toshihiko Momota is the next heir of the Kifuuken dojo that his father runs. However, after meeting a woman named Yuka and falling in love with her (love at first sight), he elopes with her only to find out that she is a Flesh Eater. However, this doesn't stop Toshihiko from loving her all the same and running away from his former allies, his responsibilities to the Kifuuken, and his fiance (his childhood freind Rie). It is from this simple plot that Masaaki weaves together a show that contains a lot of gore, sex, and violence that helps to flesh (hehehe) out a central theme that may be missed by viewers when watching this show in its entirety. A theme I will talk about momentarily... But first let's talk a little about the show's strengths and weaknesses.

The show's plot structure is a strong one in my opinion. A complete absence of plot holes, a satisfying conclusion, and excellent pacing for the most part (it does get a little slow towards the second half) scaffold the show to reach its insane climax. The blending of genres such as drama, horror, and comedy also mix brilliantly at times that make for a more enjoyable viewing experience. Yet, despite all its strengths, I can acknowledge why many people might come to view this show in a negative light. Many reviews I've read for this show find Toshihiko to be a poor protagonist whose concupiscent motives and desires make him a one dimensional character who is unlikable. However, while lust does play a factor into Toshihiko's motives I would make the argument that his development throughout the show, and the trials he's subjected to (being tempted to have sex with Rie, being mentally tortured, and having to participate in many battles he'd rather avoid) lend for the creation of a character who is equal parts multi-layered and relatable. The artwork is another pedestal that gives grounds to the negative views towards this show. The artwork is intentionally portrayed in a weird and "bad" (a term I hear a lot when people talk about Masaaki's shows) way which ultimately lends to the stylish edge of the show. However, in the end art style is subjective, thus you either hate it or like it. Lastly, many people feel the show loses meaning towards the end as Masaaki presents viewers with quite possibly one of the most insane antagonists I've seen in anime yet. Add in some strange, trippy, sexual, and violent imagery, and you got yourself a recipe that either allows for the view that the show is a stylistic, visual marvel or a dark,edgy mess. I side with the former, but that's only because I can appreciate what Masaaki is trying to portray as he strays away from the norm. That being said, let's talk a little about some of the deeper themes that this strange show tries to communicate. 

First off, I'd like talk about the title of the show which translates to, "The Beast Claw." Around episode 4-5 after copious conjectures are made about the identity of Toshihiko's father's murderer, we learn about the parents of the main characters' pasts. It is here we learn of the ancient technique that is passed down through generations to the Kifuuken known as...you guessed it...Kemonozume.  Kemonozume has to be the most metal technique I've seen in all of anime. Should a person find himself in a desperate situation or a battle he/she simply cannot win, then the Kemonozume is an option that can be opted for. The technique entails that you cut off the hands of a Flesh Eater, then cut off your own hands, so that you can have the Flesh Eater's hands become your new hands, thus granting you power akin to a Flesh Eater. However, should the Flesh Eater's arms reject the human host, terrible consequences can ensue. We see many successful attempts at the technique throughout the show and it almost poses the notion that humans when presented with a threat will go to any lengths in order to overcome said threat. Going back to defending the character of Toshihiko, I honestly expected him to use the technique towards the end of the show. Yet, my expectations were shambled as he courageously refuses to use the technique and participate in all the corruption that consumed his former allies and even his father. I appreciate how this shows tries to present the flaws of the human condition while allowing for viewers to think further and question what they would do in situations similar to the characters in this show. Another big theme I feel viewers tend to miss in this show is that of showing how mankind's natural desire to love and prosper is often sabotaged by its very own bestiality and self-destructiveness. While this is certainly not a new theme for anime, (looking at you Jin-Roh: the Wolf Brigade, Texhnolyze, and Now and Then, Here and There) I feel it's presented in a way that only strengthens an already bizarre, grotesquely humorous, and largely riveting narrative. 

So...did I like Kemonozume? Yes.. I liked it a lot. However, I certainly recognize that it is a show that will not resonate with everyone (especially those who can't take depictions of gore and sex). As such it's hard for me to really recommend this show to other people.  However, seeing as creative approaches to animation serve as my desiderata when it comes to anime along with cool/original plots, I have so far been extremely satisfied with the works of Yuasa Masaaki. I intend to write about his other works too so if you've enjoyed this post stay tuned for more. I hope I can raise at least some positive attention to this cooky show. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day. 

-Nights Off