Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 2000)

A Wind Named Amnesia (1990)

A Wind Named Amnesia gets real nutty, even laughable during its conclusion. This misstep isn't enough to detract from its great premise and interesting characters.

In the near future of 1999, a wave of amnesia has swept the globe. All humans have forgotten their names, how to drive, write, communicate… everything but their most basic survival instincts. In this post-apocalyptic world, Wataru (voiced by Adam Henderson) has re-learned how to speak. Accompanied by a mysterious woman named Sophia, he searches for any inkling of re-emerging civilization.

It's refreshing to see a post-apocalyptic setting free from Mad Max wannabees. In this world, civilization disappeared overnight. There’s plenty of stuff to scavenge and even a decent amount of people around, but they’re cavemen-like brutes. Common knowledge and being able to recognize something as a machine and not as a god makes Wataru the most intelligent man on Earth. Despite his advantages, there are dangers on all sides: the many barbarians he encounters, as well as remnants of the futuristic civilization fallen into disrepair. One of the best scenes introduces a large, armored, semi-intelligent law enforcement robot (kind of like ED-209). It asks people to drop their weapons and get down on the ground. Of course, nobody understands, so it attacks. There’s a nice bit of irony as the peace-keeping machine becomes a danger to everyone.

Wataru's episodic adventures have him meet multiple characters, each of which makes you wonder what will come next. My one issue with the movie is the character of Sophia. She is only in the film to give a ludicrous explanation for the titular “Wind Named Amnesia” and to spew some pseudo-philosophical jargon. It's yet another example of a film that explains too much. What does it matter if Wataru finds out what caused the memory loss? What is he going to do, travel back in time, and prevent it from happening? Sometimes things are better left to the unknown.

The explanation is bad, but not nearly as much as the “deep” message Sophia asks us to contemplate. She asks Wataru whether or not mankind is not better off, or more comfortable with its ignorance. On the surface, you see why Sophia might think so. People aren’t tied to jobs they hate all day making money to pay their debts, corrupt government officials are all gone and humanity has reverted to its roots, living off the land and enjoying freedoms we'd forgotten about. Well, in theory anyway. The further into the plot we get, the more you realize her argument is nothing more than a shallow teenage mentality. Humans obviously are not better off. How many people died on the very first day because they suddenly couldn’t remember how to fly a plane or drive a car? How many died of starvation because they couldn’t figure out how to open their front door? How many have become sick from easily treatable diseases since? Let’s not forget the numerous amounts of people who have been killed in tribal warfare. And what about all of the good things that civilized society has brought us, like music, art, or… anime?

The film concludes on a note that hardly makes any sense and for good measure, there’s a sex scene thrown in that tries way too hard to convince you that there might be some merit to abandoning civilization. It’s too bad because for the most part, it's solid.

Although it morphs into the ridiculous and flat-out dumb, the film - complete with its ending - did get a reaction out of me. A Wind Named Amnesia is surprisingly good until it isn't but the idea is there and what it does well make it worth checking out. I’d like to see this one re-made with Sophia omitted, or turned into a villain! Now that would be something. In the meantime, “A Wind Named Amnesia” is an entertaining, but flawed anime. (On VHS, March March 17, 2016)

The intro to one of my favorite anime films . Demon City Shinjuku #anime #90sanime #demoncityshinjuku #yoshiakikawajiri https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJrNL6Ngqt/?utm_medium=tumblr

#Ninjas abound! The #FridayNightHorrorShow #meetup #doublefeature #online #watchparties for #Thursday night #April 15th will feature #Monstrum 2018 by #director #JongHoHuh at 7 PM EDT #FNHS uses #Kast - Let's watch at https://s.kast.live/g/b7pqcss4jaa 🤓🛋️🍺🤓🎬🎞️🎭😱😷 Thursdays at 9 PM EDT are reserved for the always awesome feature presentations of Shaolin Jazz Can I Kick It? - This week is the #anime classic #NinjaScroll 1993 by dir #YoshiakiKawajiri @ShaolinJazz #CanIKickIt Live Stream at https://www.twitch.tv/shaolinjazz or https://dlive.tv/shaolinjazz 🤓🛋️📺📡🎬🎞️🎭😱😷 #OoH #ilovehorrormovies #ilovemovies #ThursdayNightMovie #ThursdayMotivation #moviewatcher #deejay #socialdistancing #wearamask (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNr3YoaL6xK/?igshid=1ln9jmdlktc2n

screening: "gokū: midnight eye" 👁❤️🦚 #gokumidnighteye #anime #cyberpunk japan #ilovejapan #screenshotoniphone12promax #yoshiakikawajiri #gokufurinji #manga #1989 https://www.instagram.com/p/CHxIHjrn3hl/?igshid=1kc15ahjjqa20

[HorrorScience] Demon City Shinjuku (1988)

Tras comentar el anime de Frankenstein y el de Drácula, creo que es buena idea continuar con las películas de animación que tienen una temática terrorífica (o al menos incluyen monstruos y elementos típicos de películas de terror). En mi búsqueda de películas de este estilo, encontré un anime llamado Demon City Shinjuku (Makai Toshi Shunjuku en japonés) que apareció en 1988 y tuvo cierta distribución internacional (incluso llegó doblada a España) en la década de los 90. Curiosamente, y pese a mi interés en el anime y en las películas de monstruos, jamás llegué a saber de su existencia en su día, y la encontré de casualidad recientemente. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaPCcn9H378 La película empieza con un duelo a muerte entre Genichiro y Rebi Ra (o Lebi Ra), dos antiguos compañeros que fueron entrenados por el maestro Rai para poder usar su poder interior (conocido como Nempo). Lamentablemente Lebi Ra se dejó llevar por la envidia al ver que otros tenían más poder que él, y decidió hacer un pacto con los demonios: ofrecerles la tierra a cambio de un poder casi ilimitado. Genichiro hará todo lo posible por detener a su antiguo compañero pero morirá en el intento, tras lo cual, Lebi Ra desatará su ira en medio de la ciudad, destruyéndola casi por completo, enloqueciendo a los supervivientes y llenándola de demonios, lo cual le valió para ganarse el apodo de Demon City o Monster City. Read the full article

•The one with Cyberpunk theme• @procreate • • • #wickedcity #cyberpunk #cyberpunkart #cyberpunkanime #scifiart #scifi #animations #anime #animeart #animeedits #art #color #colorpalette #artwork #procreate #appleipadpro #apple #applepencil #yoshiakikawajiri #hideyukikikuchi #louisdraws https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWJM2pn5h7/?igshid=vgv1xmnaucpc

#tbt to my all time fav #anime movie. Yo I love Akira but this joint right here B!!! 🔥🔥🔥 Fuego from beginning to end. Excellent artwork and story that still stands out to this day. I've seen some sequels and spinoffs but that shxt look extra corny. This one is untouchable. I saw this back in 95 on betamax tape lol. Thats how far I go back with the anime joints. #NinjaScroll #YoshiakiKawajiri #OVA #1993 #throwbackthursday #digitalcollage #adobephotoshop #graphicdesign 💯🔪✂ 🇯🇵🎥

Ninja Scroll (Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 1993)

“World Record” from “The Animatrix” ((with sound!)) . . . . . This was probably the most memorable scene for me. #TheAnimatrix #アニマトリックス #TakeshiKoike #小池健 #YoshiakiKawajiri #川尻善昭 #TheMatrix #WorldRecord #Madhouse #Animation #Anime #2000sAnime https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz9_Z4Ajqx5/?igshid=yviho6zhkzxb

Ninja Scroll (1993)

I know Ninja Scroll is a favourite for many, but an anime classic? Let's dial it down a bit. This film was released at the right time. That's why it's influential.

Jubei (voiced by Dean Elliot) is a wandering swordsman-for-hire whose path crosses with the ninja Kagero (voiced by Wendee Lee). Learning that his old enemy Genma Himuro (voiced by Richard Epcar) has resurfaced and is leading a group of eight demons to thrust the country into civil war, Jubei joins forces with Kagero and a shady government spy named Dakuan (voiced by Stephen Apostolina) to stop the malicious forces.

The film's visuals are solid. There are many sequences of action and the movements are fluid, the blows have impact and the stakes feel high. The character designs, their abilities and roles in the story make them memorable. Seeing the heroes battles the demons to the death is exciting. To a certain extent, I also enjoyed the plot. The overall story is simplistic, mostly an excuse to get our heroes and their opponents face to face but subtle touches here and there go a long way. There's political intrigue, the demon's motivations aren't as simple as taking over/destroying the world, and Kagero’s master isn’t really that nice of a guy. You’re unsure how things will go, even if our heroes manage to beat the villains.

It's ironic that Ninja Scroll is credited (along with Ghost in the Shell and Akira) for showing North America that animation could tell adult stories. The film is like a 13-year-old who's just discovered boobs. The story is caked in violence and sex. Every major scene sees either a demon woman or Kagero taking off her clothes, having sex with someone, getting sexually assaulted, rejected sexually, or involves some advance made regarding the fact that as a woman, she would be awesome naked in bed, etc. It gets downright vile when the visuals lingers on a long rape scene. From there, Kagero and Jubei of course have to fall in love. That's what she's there for. With this film and Wicked City I get a strong sense that director Yoshiaki Kawajiri either doesn’t like women, doesn’t know how to relate to them, or has never met one.

I have mixed feelings about the violence of Ninja Scroll as well. It slows down as the picture progresses, but the carnage is nearly as excessive as the sex. People get decapitated, dismembered, electrocuted, cut in half vertically, horizontally, or die from their heads getting sliced in two. On its own it might be fine. Combined with the over sexualization of so many female characters, it'll make any adult feel like they're too old to be watching this.

I wonder how much of the success of Ninja Scroll is due to it being released back in the mid 90’s when so many wanted anime to be taken seriously. It’s violent, gory, contains adult material and very stylish. This was the film many people had been waiting for. Even if you don't care for it, you can't help but say "woah!".

Maybe another visit down the line will change my mind. For now, I recommend the film but more for scholars than casual fans of anime, and hardly at all to those looking for "adult animation". Ninja Scroll is sexist, and gratuitous. It's also historically important, groundbreaking, and influential. (English Dub on VHS, February 29, 2016)

Dos de los personajes más badass de los 90s. Jubei Kibagami y Genma Himuro , un clásico de clásicos que aún me sorprende por su tremenda calidad. 10 de 10. #ninjascroll #jubeikibagami #genmahimuro #90s #anime #oldanime #retroanime #oldschool #badass #ultracombo #katana #jubeininpucho #yoshiakikawajiri #madhouse #toho #clasic #amazingmovie #pikaricosas

A late night nostalgia trip. #cybercityoedo808 #justburningworld #anime #cyberpunk #classicanime #yoshiakikawajiri #川尻善昭 #サイバーシティOEDO808 #アニメ #ova

day 10 of my #BlackHistoryMonth tribute goes to #DanDavis of the #Animatrix! #WorldRecord is one of the short animated films of #TheAnimatrix, which tells the story of an athlete who becomes aware of the #Matrix while attempting to set the world record for the 100 meters sprint. It was created by #Madhouse, written by #YoshiakiKawajiri and directed by #TakeshiKoike. Agents watch an American athlete, Dan Davis, preparing for a track race (presumably the 100 meter sprint). The Instructor, narrating the introduction, states that he was one of the few men to gain awareness of #TheMatrix through unconventional means. Flashbacks are interspersed into the warm-up for the race. Dan achieves a record time of 8.99 seconds, which is then revoked when he tests positive for drug use. He consults with his father over the phone, deciding to proceed with the upcoming race. His coach Tom tells him not to race, as he feels Dan's muscles will burst if he pushes himself any more. A reporter (later seen the stadium crowd) talks with Dan; he states to her that running makes him feels like he is "breaking free from the world". The race starts, and Dan pulls ahead. The muscles in his legs burst, yet he keeps running, ignoring his body's pain, swiftly gaining speed against the other competitors, blowing by them in spite of his legs about to lose all function. "He cannot wake up. Do not let him wake up." commands the main agent viewing the race in the upper tiers of the stadium, having noted that his signal has become drastically unstable. Time freezes and the Agents possess the other runners in an attempt to stop him. While they reach out for him, Dan, unaware of all events happening around him, manages to break the time freeze and outrun the agents, in spite of their supernatural strength and speed. -if you want to know how the story ends, just hop on YouTube and go see 😎😎😎

Ninja Scroll: il capolavoro di Yoshiaki Kawajiri ad aprile in DVD e Blu-ray grazie ad Anime Factory #AnimeFactory #NinjaScroll #YamatoVideo #YoshiakiKawajiri