Mezame no Hakobune

If i would have to describe Mezame no Hakobune with one word, i'ts gonna be "INHUMAN". There’s no story, no dialogues, and at first glance, the anime doesn't make any sense. While watching the OAV, we’re slowly being pulled into an extraterrestial universe, where various dimensions are overlaping themselves. Not knowing anything about the reality surrounding us, we travel through these weird worlds, trying to understand what’s going on. It’s a voyage of consciousness, mind, and soul.

The animation is quite nice; it’s mostly made of 3d graphics, though there are some live-action scenes as well. Some stunning colors ... are used (mostly blue/white/gold), but the true beauty of Mezame no Hakobune is definitly the OST. The soundtrack, composed from new age songs, really fits the scenery of the OAV, and creates unique atmosphere.

Mezame no Hakabune has only one weakness- some of it moments are boring as hell, and it’s an unforgivable mistake for a 42 minutes long show. Also, I wouldn’t recommend this anime to people who don’t like to think pointlessly. There are no given questions and answers, so it might be quite difficult to expect anything from the plot.

Still, it’s one of the best experimental anime out there, so be sure to watch it if you like these kind of things.

An ancient anime artefact, this is, probably, the only way I can find to describe this relic.
You simply cannot ignore “Mezame no Hakobune”, its power is almost unreal. This CGI animation will pull you from within the depths of the ocean (SHO-HO), as you swam with whales and sharks and rays, lifting you then, leading through a surreal stream of consciousness. Transpiring widely across the skies (HYAKKIN), will acknowledge you as you watch, through the eyes of the seagulls, the land from above. In a more somewhat melancholic, yet enlightened finale (KU-UN), you might question, and wisely doing so, the very origin of life; the ... genetic roots from humans to dogs.
Oshii Mamoru-san is the director, do I guess that’s everything needed to be said. The soundtrack might surprise you, because this is a well-known and superb collaboration, being Kawai Kenji-san classical suspect behind the score; you Ghost in the Shell aficionados are in for a pleasant surprise, it is honestly perfect.
Lastly, I have to say that “Mezame no Hakobune” is ultimately a triumphal piece of art; to tell a story with simply images and music is overwhelmingly beautiful, and this one in particular speaks directly to our hearts.

Firstly if you went in expecting anything storylike you'll be weirded out. This is an audio/visual experience that's bound to be presented on multi panel display. For those of us watching it on our home theater the effect is hugely diminished.

"Open Your Mind" takes you on a thrill ride to Oshii's mindscape. It can be interpreted as Oshii throwing abrupt imagery at the viewer and it closely resembles a shroom trip. Whatever it is, the strongest emotion present is oneness with the universe. Qatsi Trilogy, especially the latest instalment Naqoyqatsi probably left an impression on Oshii.

Kawai's soundtrack is as sweet and uplifting as ever and ... saves this otherwise dismissable episode of Oshii.

3D cgi work with lots of composites works well to great %50 of the time, rest of'em comes around as cheesy.

Oshii once again stepped on my nerves with the extraterrestrial Dog-God and human offspring morphing into puppies. Off with the bullsh.t man, 20 years and you are taking this dog metaphore nowhere, it's ruining your work.

Like Sky crawlers it left a sour taste in my mouth. I can not reccomend it freely, but it is good enough for a single view, especially for the crosslinks between Oshii's body of work.