Return of the Japanese Invasion
For the second year in a row, on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we take a stroll through an area where the Japanese actually hand our asses to us on a regular basis. In America, animation is all singing animals and excuses to sell cereal. In Japan, cartoons can be that as well, but they can also be genre defying, violent, visually exciting, and a funhouse mirror of a culture that has some really bizarre fetishes. With the DVD industry booming, we have access to more of the good stuff than ever before. Watch them subtitled, ’cause dubbing is for wussies!
• Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (1999)–A condensed version
of the TV series about an androgynous girl who stumbles into a secret world
of swordfights and soap opera, this film has some of the most mind-blowing images
of the last decade. The animation is seamless, matching the story with layers
and complexity.
• Battle of the Planets vol. 1 & 2 (1978)–Old school anime
nostalgia. Thanks to the genius of Rhino Home Video, these DVDs give us the
neutered versions of this classic childhood cartoon, as well as the very cool
original Japanese versions. High action with space-age superheroes taking on
big monsters. The G-Force character designs are still some of the best ever.
• The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)–From the true master of anime,
Hayao Miyazaki, comes an expertly crafted adventure film. With an evil count,
counterfeit money, and funky music, it’s a mad dash for the secret treasure
and the chivalrous thief Lupin leading the way.
• Windaria (1986)–Though sadly only available as an English-language
VHS (complete with superfluous narration), the quality of Windaria is not to
be denied. This tragic romance follows two doomed couples struggling to maintain
their love, while war ravages everything around them. Set against a fictional
techno/agricultural backdrop, you’d have to be made of stone not be moved by
its heart-wrenching pleasures. (NOTE: If you want to see Windaria in its original
language, then steal my tape back from my ex-girlfriend for me. I’d be willing
to share.)