Genius Party

Right off the bat, let me say this isn’t for your popcorn-munching, "just here for a good time" crowd. This collection of seven short films from a slew of Japanese animation heavyweights takes creativity and sprints right off the deep end, diving into everything from existential crises to pure, unfiltered chaos. Each segment has a unique visual style and narrative flavor, which can be disorienting, sure, but that’s part of the charm. Think of it as a surreal rollercoaster, where each twist and turn delivers something unexpected, and you’re not even sure if you’re gonna be upside down or flying off the tracks.

The first ... piece, Genius Party, is a burst of surrealist energy, and it sets the tone by slapping you across the face with its “what the hell is happening” vibe. It’s followed by Shanghai Dragon, a heartwarming, sci-fi adventure that sneaks up on you with charm. By the time you hit Happy Machine, you’re in full existential free-fall, watching a trippy journey about a kid in a post-apocalyptic nursery, and let me tell you, it’s just as weird as it sounds.

Not every short is a hit, though. Some are so abstract they feel like a test of patience rather than an experience, and it can be tough to keep up with whatever warped message is being sent. But when it works, it works. The animation quality is top-tier across the board, with each director pouring their heart, mind, and possibly a little bit of their soul onto the screen.

In short, Genius Party is a mixed bag of brilliance and bewilderment. It’s an artsy mind trip that hits more often than it misses, earning it a solid recommendation for pushing boundaries, sparking imagination, and making you question what the hell you just watched—in the most satisfying way possible.

Genius Party [Opening]: groovy music, I like it

Shanghai Dragon : it's cute I guess

Deathtic 4 : you ugly, not much to say

Doorbell: Saramago called, he said he did it better; some interesting ideas by the end though

Limit Cycle: Oh my god, shut up, this was so pedantic and dull. 20mins in length but felt like an hour

... Happy Machine : might feel a bit draught out but Yuasa always manages to compel you to stick around

Baby Blue : Shinkai in shambles. The most "short and sweet" out of all of them. Would love to see another anthology film or OVA by Watanabe.

If I could sum this collection up in three words its "not for me"

I detest art and metaphor. Just come out and say what you mean, the only people who need to hide behind fancy words are those who have nothing to truly say.

Most of the shorts fall under "please interpret me" art. Even my favourite the one called "Happy Machine" feels like just an overlong metaphor for birth, life and death.

Two of the three I liked, Happy Machine and Deathic4 really suffer from it but come out ahead because they feel like someone was actually trying to tell a story with Deathic4 ... and Happy Machine was at least cute looking.

My favourite Baby Blue has an actual plot. It's about a boy and a girl cutting class and going on an adventure, mostly just for the heck of it but there are some deeper themes that are very heartfelt and actually work because BB allowed itself to have some characters and a plot! Who knew that BASIC STORY STRUCTURE IS A GOOD THING!!!!
But the ending was absolutely ruined by being played at like, three frames and with a nasty grain effect over the whole thing that really undercut any of the emotion it was building to.

But the rest are crap.
There is one where green eyed John Travolta rambles nonsensically for like thirty minutes straight and that was the absolute nadir of quality.
All the shorts have a weird problem with CGI. Its always done at a lower frame rate and multiple shorts re-use the same CGI car models as Initial D.

I dont know, maybe if you really like art house stuff you'll be able to put up with it.