Anime is animated Japanese movies, which is often inspired by Manga, Japanese comic books enjoyed by adults and children. Anime and manga artwork is particularly appealing and draws many Westerners to the genre, but it is a little daunting as there is a lot to choose from. Therefore an anime reviewer may be the best place to stop first.
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.
A more recent SG contribution is Ponyo, released in 2008, which follows the adventures of a little gold fish who wants to become a human girl. She befriends a little boy, Sosuke, who takes care of her. It is a truly heart-warming tale, with some super-cute animation.
Not all animation is cute, and a real classic supernatural series is Death Note. This series was televised in 2006-7 and is now available on DVD, and narrates the tale of college student, Light Yagami. He discovers a notebook which belongs to a Shinigami, god of death, which enables him to kill by writing the name down. He sets himself as a vigilante executing criminals. The series was completed in 37 episodes which was inspired by a 12-book manga series.
Another crime fighting series is Ghost in the Shell, which is in itself a major franchise which a manga books, a movie with the same title in 1996 and two spin off series'. The spin-offs started with Stand Alone Complex in 2002 and then Arise in 2013. This year Arise will have another instalment released.
If you are interested in this Ghost in the Shell franchise you have a backlog, so put a weekend by to get up to speed. In short, the story follows the police special unit, called the Public Security Section Nine, who are beset by cyber-criminals, corrupt officials and of course the complications all this brings.
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.
A more recent SG contribution is Ponyo, released in 2008, which follows the adventures of a little gold fish who wants to become a human girl. She befriends a little boy, Sosuke, who takes care of her. It is a truly heart-warming tale, with some super-cute animation.
Not all animation is cute, and a real classic supernatural series is Death Note. This series was televised in 2006-7 and is now available on DVD, and narrates the tale of college student, Light Yagami. He discovers a notebook which belongs to a Shinigami, god of death, which enables him to kill by writing the name down. He sets himself as a vigilante executing criminals. The series was completed in 37 episodes which was inspired by a 12-book manga series.
Another crime fighting series is Ghost in the Shell, which is in itself a major franchise which a manga books, a movie with the same title in 1996 and two spin off series'. The spin-offs started with Stand Alone Complex in 2002 and then Arise in 2013. This year Arise will have another instalment released.
If you are interested in this Ghost in the Shell franchise you have a backlog, so put a weekend by to get up to speed. In short, the story follows the police special unit, called the Public Security Section Nine, who are beset by cyber-criminals, corrupt officials and of course the complications all this brings.
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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