Japanese anime is the name for animated movies, often based on Manga the Japanese graphic novel. The artwork for both animation and books is terribly appealing but it can be daunting when approaching anime for the first time. Therefore it is not surprising you have turned to an anime reviewer.
In 2015, this genre of animation has become mainstream as Tokyo based Studio Ghibli and their production of The Tale of Princess Kaguya has been nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) for the Best Animated Feature. Princess Kaguya won't be released until March 20 in the UK, but this could be a great place to start. The voices for the movie are mostly provided by American actors including James Marsden and Lucy Liu.
Studio Ghibli is a great foundation for a novice in anime, as they produce Japanese inspired animation but catered for a specifically Western market. Over the years SG have produced numerous movies, all of which are charming in different. My personal favourite, and a uber-feel-good movie is My Neighbour Totoro which was released in 1988. It is set in post-war Japan and we learn of two young girls who in their new home discover there are strange soot mites in the house and wood sprites in the garden. The sprite in charge is Totoro; a loveable, cuddly creature which I for one would like to meet. The Totoru theme music is ridiculously catchy and you will be humming it for ages after the movie has finished.
More recently SG released Ponyo, (2008), a story about a cute goldfish, who desperately want to be a little girl. Her new friend, the young boy Sosuke, care for her and helps her on her quest. It is super-cute story with endearing animation.
However, never fear, it's not all cute and girly. A classic supernatural anime is the 37 episode series, Death Note. This was available on TV in 2006-7 and is now on DVD. We follow the adventures of over achieving student Light Yagami who discovers a supernatural notebook dropped by a Shinigami, a god of death. By writing a name in the book and a method of death in the book, Light is able to execute criminals as well as anyone else who gets in his way of creating a utopian world. This series inspired by manga book series, and has even resulted in a live-action movie.
Another on-going series is Ghost in the Shell, with a new instalment of GS Arise due in the Spring 2015. A complex franchise, Ghost in the Shell started as a Manga and was made into a movie in 1995, and then a television series, with the subtitle, Stand Alone Complex, in 2002, followed in 2013 with the Arise series which is ongoing. A further movie is to be released in 2015.
A novice interested in Ghost in the Shell has a lot of back story to catch up on. But essentially the franchise follows a specialised police force, known as Public Security Section 9, who solve a number of crimes exacerbated by cyber criminals, corruption and all the expected complications.
For an anime fan in England it is difficult to follow the new releases, although some websites like www.wnimenewsnetwork.com provide a regular sweep of new movies and series, but gaining access to these is challenging. Most people are reliant on the DVDs available to buy, and the Studio Ghibli general releases which does not appeal to all. But don't give up; the hard work is worth the effort.
In 2015, this genre of animation has become mainstream as Tokyo based Studio Ghibli and their production of The Tale of Princess Kaguya has been nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) for the Best Animated Feature. Princess Kaguya won't be released until March 20 in the UK, but this could be a great place to start. The voices for the movie are mostly provided by American actors including James Marsden and Lucy Liu.
Studio Ghibli is a great foundation for a novice in anime, as they produce Japanese inspired animation but catered for a specifically Western market. Over the years SG have produced numerous movies, all of which are charming in different. My personal favourite, and a uber-feel-good movie is My Neighbour Totoro which was released in 1988. It is set in post-war Japan and we learn of two young girls who in their new home discover there are strange soot mites in the house and wood sprites in the garden. The sprite in charge is Totoro; a loveable, cuddly creature which I for one would like to meet. The Totoru theme music is ridiculously catchy and you will be humming it for ages after the movie has finished.
More recently SG released Ponyo, (2008), a story about a cute goldfish, who desperately want to be a little girl. Her new friend, the young boy Sosuke, care for her and helps her on her quest. It is super-cute story with endearing animation.
However, never fear, it's not all cute and girly. A classic supernatural anime is the 37 episode series, Death Note. This was available on TV in 2006-7 and is now on DVD. We follow the adventures of over achieving student Light Yagami who discovers a supernatural notebook dropped by a Shinigami, a god of death. By writing a name in the book and a method of death in the book, Light is able to execute criminals as well as anyone else who gets in his way of creating a utopian world. This series inspired by manga book series, and has even resulted in a live-action movie.
Another on-going series is Ghost in the Shell, with a new instalment of GS Arise due in the Spring 2015. A complex franchise, Ghost in the Shell started as a Manga and was made into a movie in 1995, and then a television series, with the subtitle, Stand Alone Complex, in 2002, followed in 2013 with the Arise series which is ongoing. A further movie is to be released in 2015.
A novice interested in Ghost in the Shell has a lot of back story to catch up on. But essentially the franchise follows a specialised police force, known as Public Security Section 9, who solve a number of crimes exacerbated by cyber criminals, corruption and all the expected complications.
For an anime fan in England it is difficult to follow the new releases, although some websites like www.wnimenewsnetwork.com provide a regular sweep of new movies and series, but gaining access to these is challenging. Most people are reliant on the DVDs available to buy, and the Studio Ghibli general releases which does not appeal to all. But don't give up; the hard work is worth the effort.
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