I've watched Spirited Away severla times now and enjoyed it each time. The dreamlike qualities it evokes are really powerful and the theme tune is the most evocative in all anime.
I'm writing this review now because I read a theory that the film is actually an allegory for workers in the sex trade and so I watched it this time with that in mind. To be honest, I think it is and it works powerfully on that level. Many reviewers here say that it is directed towards kids only and, on one level, it is, but on another, adults are clearly the target audience. The
...
All (3)FriendsRSS Feeds |
Oct 26, 2018
Shikioriori
(Anime)
add
The first story is perhaps the most East Asian thing I have ever watched. As someone who lived in both Japan and Vietnam and has travelled extensively through SE Asia, China and the two Koreas, I can honestly say that food is the central theme of East Asian life. Subtles differences in taste, memories and passions all centre around food. This reflects that.
The middle tale was less interesting. And ageing model worries about losing her looks, Disneyesque ending. Watchable but that's all. The third story I enjoyed more. I liked the medium of cassette tapes to symbolise the passing of time. The link of them all in ... 
Oct 23, 2018
Fushigi no Umi no Nadia
(Anime)
add
I was introduced to the world of anime back in the mid-1980s when, as a child, I saw The Mysterious Cities of Gold. Ever since then I've searched for a series that can compare and now, I have found one.
Nadia is not MCOG and I still prefer the latter, but in style, plot and characterisations, there are lots of similarities, from an historical setting, world travel and survivors from an ancient civilisation destroyed by war. Nadia is better in terms of characterisation. There is a degree of depth to all the characters that does not exist in MCOG. The dynamics between Nadia and Jean are excellent. Nadia ... 
Oct 15, 2018
Saraiya Goyou
(Anime)
add
I gave this series a 9 rather than a 10 purely because of the artwork and the music. The storytelling and characters were excellent in all respects and I was glued from start to finish (I watched the lot in a single day). However, whilst most of the artwork was excellent, the style of how the faces of some characters were drawn (particularly the females) - sharp pointed noses, large vacant eyes and gash-like lips, caused me to struggle to empathise with them. And the theme tunes were awful which is a shame as some of the music in the actual episodes was great. Thankfully,
...
|
