posts tagged “Yoshitoshi ABe”
[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]
08 Nov 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Over-analysis, Yoshitoshi ABe]
My first taste of Ghost Hound has reminded me of an old fave that had led me to it (and Kino's Journey) in the first place - Nakamura's Serial Experiments: Lain Buy Macrobid Without Prescription, . It has long held a special place in my collection for being my first experience with ‘arty’ anime and undoubtedly set my viewing on its course that was destined to be littered with headscratcher titles, Macrobid from canada. Macrobid forum, It was - and in my view still is - a landmark production that leads us to question technology and our perception of reality; at the same time it occasionally gets panned for being obtuse and overrated.
I agree that it's obtuse but for those of us who dig the whole deep and meaningful thing, order Macrobid from mexican pharmacy, After Macrobid, Lain is a classic in every sense. A very important aspect to its appeal I think was the involvement of Yoshitoshi ABe in the designs for the characters and other artwork - Nakamura and Konaka provided the cryptic storyline and distinctive narrative structure but ABe's input added the icing on the proverbial cake, buy Macrobid online cod. The atmosphere of the show, almost as important as its themes and ideas at times, is largely attributed to ABe's unique art style; I was so impressed with his skills that I hunted down the recent reissue of the Lain artbook, in hardback no less, Buy Macrobid Without Prescription. Macrobid wiki, His approach evolved independently from the standard methods of learning how to draw and design for anime and manga, which gave an effect akin to a classically-trained musician lending his or her talents to a rock band, Macrobid duration. Macrobid treatment, The end result is that it's different, refreshing and it sets itself away from similarly themed efforts, Macrobid description. Where can i buy Macrobid online, Lain makes great use of atmospherics in creating a sensation of confusion and unease, which ABe's artwork is in no small part responsible for, Macrobid blogs. Macrobid price, coupon, As I recently suggested, it's almost a horror serial for the technological age; speculation and gossip concerning weird goings-on in the online world of the Wired win out over definite answers, buy no prescription Macrobid online, Macrobid cost, with deaths and disappearances going on without a full explanation. As Dennou Coil Buy Macrobid Without Prescription, recently has done, albeit in a more playful and light-hearted way, Lain explores the possibilities when the online world and the real world collide and the dividing line blurs; as the Matrix trilogy did soon after it even goes as far as challenging how we define what is real and what is the product of our imaginations and technological endeavours.
With the likes of the Matrix movies, Dennou Coil and the Ghost in the Shell franchise famously covering similar territory and doing it so well, generic Macrobid, Australia, uk, us, usa, it's easy to dismiss Lain as another pretentious show to jump on the science fiction bandwagon. I disagree, where can i buy cheapest Macrobid online. Where to buy Macrobid, If anything, it sits alongside these titles in highlighting the importance of computers and the internet on modern society; looking back at the state of things back when Lain was first broadcast back in 1998, my Macrobid experience, Macrobid overnight, the 'net was already well established but had only recently begun to take off in a big way. The mythology, buy Macrobid from mexico, Herbal Macrobid, subcultures and the extensive move into everyday life that we see the Wired undertake are not only an observation of the WWW's impact on our own world, but a prediction that turned out to be strangely prophetic, real brand Macrobid online. As with Oshii's 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie, Lain's worldview has not become out of date; if anything, it has become more relevant with the intervening years, Buy Macrobid Without Prescription. Where can i find Macrobid online, As well as being a sci-fi/cyberpunk piece, SE: Lain is also a philosophical and even theological one, online Macrobid without a prescription. Buy Macrobid online no prescription, Unlike, say, Macrobid trusted pharmacy reviews, Macrobid for sale, Evangelion, which uses stuff such as religious symbolism and Freudian psycholanalysis in a very simple way to support other ideas, order Macrobid online c.o.d, Buy cheap Macrobid, Lain combines issues surrounding introspection and identity, Jung's Collective Memory, buy Macrobid no prescription, Macrobid pics, Roswell and other conspiracy theories and a whole myriad of others in a way that is chillingly convincing. You can take away simple messages, canada, mexico, india, such as the importance of family and friends or the motives and consequences of immersing oneself in imaginary environments and walk away satisfied; on the other hand there's a whole treasure trove of highbrow ideas that are lurking under the surface, ready to be unearthed for people who like to read between the lines. Of all the headscratchers I've seen to date, this show offers the most complex array of baffling details and the largest degree of rewatchability - you can see it a number of times and still discover something new.
Buy Macrobid Without Prescription, It is quite simply one of the most important pieces of anime I've seen, period. Admittedly the quality of the art is let down a bit by the animation (it comes across as a bit over-ambitious in that sense) and the characters interact in a way that is pretty cold and difficult to relate to. The latter point can probably be explained by the fact that it's supposed to portray a world that's more isolated and soulless than our own but there's no denying some viewers will be put off by this. I never had a problem with the animation though since it comes across as so different - occasional moments are reminiscent of Anno-isms and the soundtrack has a very industrial and minimalist vibe to it. Sometimes the buzz of distant conversation or the ever-present hum of telephone lines says it all - it does a masterful job of portraying its worldview, as frightening and inhospitable as it can sometimes be.
The episodes are referred to as ‘layers’; a term that is perfectly appropriate given the numerous levels of meaning and significance that obscure and conceal; there's no filler material to speak of and mystery builds upon mystery before the terrifying finale and a startling denoument that follows, reiterating the importance of friendship, communication and sense of who we are. It is alleged that the creative team were surprised and even mildly disappointed that audiences at home and abroad drew similar conclusions from the series. While that is less interesting from a cross-cultural study standpoint (as in: how do attitudes to computers and technology differ in Japan when compared with the West and so on), it highlights how Lain's themes and ideas are universal. Favouring thought over action, realism over fan service, it's an audacious and startlingly unique effort that deserves to be widely seen and widely remembered.
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[9 Comments]
[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]
06 Sep 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: iyashikei, realistic fiction, Self-indulgent nostalgia, Yoshitoshi ABe]
I'm trying a little experiment with this post. This won't be my usual reviewing - outlining what's good and what's bad, basing the degree of how recommendable it is on that and so on. I want to add a bit of me-ness into this one even if the quality suffers - not just saying what I think about this series based on the usual criteria, but giving a more in-depth explanation as to why it's so special. I'm adding a lot more lyric quotes too...just to see if I can do it.
I won't dwell on the beauty of Kou Otani's soundtrack here, nor talk too much at length about the otherworldly artistic style of the show, as much as they lend a lot to the its unique atmosphere. Interestingly though Yoshitoshi ABe was the screenplay writer as well as being behind the overall concept: unlike Texhnolyze and Lain, his input was thematic as well as artistic. Looking at how powerful Haibane Renmei's messages are, I feel this to be significant: it really feels like he's drawing inspiration from personal experience which gives the show much greater authenticity, although individual impressions will probably differ slightly from viewer to viewer.
"Angels with silver wings shouldn't know suffering/I wish I could take the pain for you..."
The idea of the main cast being 'reborn' with no memories of their previous life is an important one to me: friendships, life experiences, everything apart from practical things such as walking and talking have to be re-learned in an environment that's new to them, which means they start their lives again from scratch. This 'blank canvas' worldview is intended to feel like it's 'somewhere else' but little details such as clothes, furniture, mechanical and electrical items are the same as in our own, which offers small amounts of comfort and familiarity.
Initially I thought the central character was Rakka since she was a newborn whose experiences make up the first half of the series - it's a typical growing-up story at that point. In a sense she's the 'tour guide' to the series' setting as we learn about the place and people along with her; Reki's situation takes on greater importance towards the end though and Rakka becomes a very instrumental, but nevertheless supporting, character who helps bring closure.
For all its pretty backgrounds and hints of fantasy, this show is in the slice-of-life vein (an issue
I've covered before) and concerns itself with a number of real-life issues and situations. What set it apart from similar series is how the particular issues addressed resonated so deeply: not just the concepts and symbols but the more tangible aspects spoke very clearly in a way that I'd never experienced before. Rakka's encounter with the Circle of Sin for example is a great portrayal of how guilt and doubt can build up in one's mind from the smallest beginnings - it's a recurring sense I had that in this unfamiliar setting there are numerous moments that have parallels with our own world.
Her symbolic descent into the well in the search for answers, followed by the return to her friends and a new, more optimistic, chapter of her life, is drenched in meaning; it feels like a metaphor for overcoming depression and guilt which makes Evangelion's take on emotional catharsis look heavy-handed in comparison. Dwelling on past events that you can't change drains and hampers you like a sickness; sometimes though you have to be prepared to overcome your fears in order to put it all behind you and move on.
"Things get damaged, things get broken/I thought we'd manage but words left unspoken..."
The shift in focus towards Reki deals with interaction and relations as much as emotional angst: her stubbornness, pride and inability to let go of past events had caused problems with Hyouko and Midori for a long time. The funny thing is, they shared these foolish sentiments so all three are equally guilty: an all-too-common situation that keeps families and groups of friends the world over on bad terms with one another for months or even years. Another favourite moment of mine is the realisation and resolution when they finally reach an undertanding, being able to forgive one another for things that are best left in the past where they belong. Far from being downbeat, such moments are nothing short of inspirational - and no doubt many viewers can relate to similar events from their own lives.
"I pray you learn to trust, have faith in both of us/and keep room in your hearts for two..."
The finale of the series takes events into the darkest territory of all as Reki has to confront her past...and herself. The Circle of Sin crops up again but this time it deals with the difference between how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us; the old adage that a man is judged by his actions means that intentions make us feel a certain way but making a physical effort to change things for the better is even more important. For all her guilt and self-hatred, Reki's lifelong attempts to compensate for her faults and to prevent Rakka repeating her own mistakes actually becomes her true nature, but naturally she is unaware of this. The final moments drag the viewer through the emotional wringer as she falls into a downward spiral of hopelessness and self-pity - only to be saved by a friend who believes in her, and ironically can see her true nature better than she can herself.
If you've had the patience to read this far you've probably picked up on the fact that this is a very special piece of anime for me. Thanks to the work of Hideaki Anno and Satoshi Kon, I was already aware of how the medium of animation can convey everything that conventional film and television can but in a much more inventive fashion:
Haibane Renmei was another milestone in my viewing journal. It's a series that may be lacking in resolving minor plot points but its core messages - or at least the messages I took from it - contain profound and eloquent observations of human nature. It also asks (but not necessarily answers!) fundamental life questions about who and why we are; an instance in which all this occurs is a Precious moment indeed.
[10 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
25 Aug 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Texhnolyze, Yoshitoshi ABe]
"The lives we make never seem to get us anywhere but dead...the day I tried to live I wallowed in the blood and mud..."
The above song lyric quote exemplifies the overall feel of this series: bleak, grungy, harsh yet strangely compelling. As you might expect with character designer Yoshitoshi ABe on board it's a highbrow, cryptic and arty effort that probably doesn't have much mainstream appeal; personally I really like the unconventional, pretentious complex storytelling and deliberately cruel and inhospitable environs of this show.
A view of Luckuss
The visuals are a big selling point to Texhnolyze (for some reason, I find it difficult to spell correctly) since the moody and grim atmosphere drives the story along at first. It is set in a dystopian underground world of Luckuss (or Lux, depending on where you look) in which control over the city is held by the Organo syndicate. The Texhnolyze technology, that of next-generation artificial body parts, is reserved for the wealthy and influential ruling class who preside over a majority of less previleged inhabitants. These opening episodes follow the likes of Onishi, the leader of the Organo; Yoshi, a visitor from the surface; Ran, a girl with a psychic ability to see into the future; and Ichise, a boxer who becomes an unwilling Texhnolyzed after a run-in with some organised criminals causes him to lose two of his limbs.
The psychic Ran
The inventiveness of Texhnolyze's storytelling is that it takes its time in explaining things and is reluctant to use much dialogue: nobody says a word for the first ten minutes and we don't learn the names of many of the characters early on. Ran, who appropriately makes money selling flowers, is akin to a flower herself: she's a fragile source of colour in a world painted in various shades of browns and greys. Ichise, I suspect, is more than a case study of how tough life is in Luckuss - his overwhelming determination to survive even after having an arm and a leg severed drives him to seek vengeance on those who maimed him. The enigmatic and sensuous Doc, the woman who specialises in Texholyzed body parts, sees potential in Ichise and gives the 'stray dog' a second chance, which he grudgingly accepts as part of his unyielding will to survive.
Ichise: never say die
The series seems to choose two separate threads but I strongly feel that Ichise's struggle is not only a metaphor for the people of Luckuss and their tenuous grip on life but it will somehow influence the power struggle that is taking place. Yoshi comes across initially as a curious everyman: a benign tourist who listens and asks questions a lot. As time went on I began to see his unassuming demeanour as a front to a forceful and brutal personality - his polite, philosophical and secretive manner only makes him seem all the more dangerous.
The mysterious Yoshi: what is he up to?
Although the idea of artificial body parts crops up in the likes of Ghost in the Shell and numerous others, Texhnolyze depicts a technology that is more than mechanical limbs that replace the old; the texhnolyzed parts interact with the wearer, showing their status and condition in the field of vision. While it is believed to enchance physical capabilities and form the next phase in our evolution, it feels like, as Ichise finds out, an unnatural and obtrusive experience. As always, Madhouse deliver the goods with convincing mecha designs that offer a juxtaposition of high-tech in front of a gritty and run-down backdrop.
A texhnolyzed's view of the world
The visuals make every textured surface and environment in Luckuss come to life; the decay, dirt and bleakness is almost tangible and is heightened by the minimalist, industrial musical score. The opening and ending themes are great too: Juno Reactor's Guardian Angel is a hypnotic, pulsating number that reminds me of the atmospheric trance of Faithless and the ending tune is a mellow acoustic number accompanied by Gackt's rich baritone croon.
In Summary
Texhnolyze is challenging viewing in every sense, with its depressing dystopia, distant characters and unflinching portrayal of humanity at its most violent and pitiless. Nevertheless the characters of Ichise, Yoshi and Ran, along with the unfolding political mechinations, are enough to keep me watching - it's definitely not for everyone but its mature and uncompromising approach makes it a refreshing break from the norm.
[7 Comments]
[Specials]
15 Oct 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Yoshitoshi ABe]
I'm not usually into the large artbooks that are heavy on pictures but lacking in adding to the stories that inspired them; I like to read books, not merely look at the pictures. In the case of Yoshitoshi ABe I'm willing to make an exception though, because Reload an Omnipresence in Wired, like everything else he's done, is a little bit special.
I'm not an art expert but ABe is my favourite graphical artist, bar none; the appeal that
Serial Experiments Lain holds for me comes as much from his artwork as it does from the multi-layered storyline. Therefore, not only was I interested in getting hold of a compilation of images he created for the show, I was willing to go to invest the extra time and expense in the hardcover special edition.I haven't seen the regular edition but the hardcover one is outstanding in its presentation. The book itself, with a matte black finish on the cover, comes in a card slipcase along with a small poster of the slipcase's image. The whole book is Japanese style in fomat, i.e. right-to-left, with translucent endpapers that give an impression of either a figure of Lain in front of the background of the page beneath, or a blank background on its own when you turn the page. It's the only book I know of that does this, but it's a nice effect.
In terms of content it's quite a mixture. Promo art from prior to the TV series' airing; cover images used for domestic and internal releases of the DVDs, videos and CDs; manga format side stories (in colour!); snippets of text from the screenplay writer; and both professional and personal timelines for ABe's career. There are no screenshots from the TV series here though: instead it's a comprehensive folio of images associated with the
Lain project that are well nigh impossible to find elsewhere. His art style is detailed but atmospheric and quite unnerving, and in this case it shows a depth and professionalism that is often lost in the rushed and simplified interpretations that come through in its animated form.
My personal favourite bonus feature is a collection of short written interviews with ABe concerning how he went through the process of creating the pictures, along with pencil drawings of the preliminary versions. It turns out he's one of those artists who keeps hold of his rough drafts for future reference; a working practice that this book utilises to the full.
Summary
If you're a fan of the
Lain TV series, or even a collector of ABe's stuff in general, start clearing some space on your coffee table for this book right now. Those who are looking for answers to the TV show's story, on the other hand, will have to look elsewhere but otherwise it is a well-presented and thorough compilation of one of Japan's brightest artistic talents. I've been drawn back into the world of the Wired all over again...
More pics, linked to rather than inserted into the paragraphs to save on screen loading time:
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