Movie Stakeout delved deep into the world of Anime and Anime adaptations.
The Ani-zona Case Files
Princess Mononoke (1997)
A demon attacks the village of a prince, cursing him, forcing him to leave in search of a cure.
A monk is tasked by the emperor to capture the head of Spirit of the forest, a creature that has power over life and death.
A town populated by outcasts thrives making guns and ammunition, buy finds themselves under siege by a samurai army.
A young girl raised by wolves fights to protect the forest from destruction by man.
Hayao Miyazaki films tend to be family friendly affairs, Princess Mononoke definitely isn't for the kids, despite it's PG rating. There's plenty of bloody moments, a few lost limbs, a few decapitations, and references to prostitution. Nothing little Jimmy and Grandma can't handle I sure.
A much better film than the much lorded Spirited Away, and easily one of Miyazaki's best, if not the entire Studio Ghibli catalogue.
Rewatch: 4.5 Sushi Rolls
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May
Crayon Shin-chan: Action Mask vs. Leotard Devil (1993)
Crayon Shin-chan was a long running Manga series about a young boy and his put upon family which have been adapted into this film series that is equal parts slice of life and equal part bonkers!
This movie sees Shinoushke and his friends collecting Action Kamen cards, and when Shin finds the ultra rare gold card him and his family are chosen to go to another earth to help the real Action Kamen battle the Leotard devil.
It took a minute to settle into the cruder animation style but once in this was a lot of fun, and made me think we're in for a wild month!
First watch: 3 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
The Ani-zona Case Files
Monster of Frankenstein (1981)
Dr Frankenstein creates life and immediately regrets his decision, and his assistant loses an eye in the bargain. Later the assistant fools Frankenstein into believing the monster is after his family in order to extort. The monster is befriended by Frankenstein's father, who the monster later saves. Frankenstein however not knowing the monsters good intentions believes it must be destroyed.
This was frightfully dull, so much so I nodded off at least twice. The film starts with the monsters creation, no build up whatsoever, and then seems to go on forever. The blackmail subplot does help build Frankenstein's paranoia, but it's not worth the wait.
First watch: 1 sushi roll.
The Ani-zona Case Files
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
A simple tale of an average Japanese family told through a series of skits.
While the characters have a very simple design they sit well into the simplistic watercolour inspired scenes, there are moments where the screen is full of colour, and other moments where three quarters of the screen is completely empty. It's a pretty unique movie visually, but the length and lack of an actual story means it does start to drag.
First watch: 3 Sushi Rolls
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May
Tokyo Gore Police (2008)
The near future Tokyo gets even wilder when an increase of increasingly gory murders occurs by creatures known as "Engineers". The police, now privatised sport samurai armour and have swords. Among their ranks is supreme engineer slayer, Ruka trying to solve the mystery of what happened to her father.
There's gory then there's Japanese gory!
With visuals in this that will have you question your gore hound credentials I for one have never seen a women with a crocodile for her bottom half although I have led a sheltered life!
A fun, tongue in cheek action horror, if you can stomach it!
First watch: 3 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
The Ani-zona Case Files
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F (2015)
The Minions of Lord Freeza, one of the Z fighters most formidable foes, have obtained the Dragonballs to resurrect their master. Freeza's first call of business is to get revenge on the two Siayans who bestest him last time round, and heads to Earth with his army of followers in tow.
While this is a self-contained story it might be difficult to understand what's going on if you've never watched Dragonball Z before, a lot of it's explained and it's simple to follow, but for the uninitiated there'll be a lot of who's and why's.
Rewatch: 4 Sushi Rolls
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May
JoJo's bizarre adventure: Diamond is unbreakable (2017)
Teenager Josuke quickly learns of his special "Stand" abilities, which manifest as guardians all with unique gifts. When another mysterious Stand user shows up targeting people in the town, Josuke must rise up to be the hero he's destined to become.
I was surprised to see this apparently bombed in Japan, debuting at number 5 which is a shame as I knew nothing other than the title and now I'm a big fan who will probably check out the anime at some point! This was directed by Takashi Miike who's directing is all over the map, everything from Ichi the Killer, to Yokai movies!
First watch: 3.5 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
The Ani-zona Case Files
Dragonball: Evolution (2009)
Goku and his friends must locate the seven mystical Dragonballs before Piccolo, an alien set on world domination. Whomever holds all seven can summon an ancient wish-granting dragon.
Based on the hugely popular anime/manga series of the same(ish) name, and loved by almost no-one. It's actually the third lowest rated movie on Letterboxd, which is quite unfair, especially since one of the worst movies I've ever seen, The Master of Disguise, is rated significantly higher (D:E has 0.8 out of five, while TMoD is rated 1.7).
The problem is it tries to cater for everyone, but nobody gets to eat. It's a family friendly adventure that tries to pack in too much of the Dragonball mythology, making it confusing for the uninitiated, and doesn't come close to appeasing the fans. But considering it's only ninety minutes long it does a decent job, in the TV show that could easily be the length of a single fight.
Rewatch: 2 Sushi Rolls
The Ani-zona Case Files
Kinnikuman: Showdown! The 7 Justice Supermen vs. The Space Samurais (1984)
After his world is threatened by a horde of samurai a young hero named Beansman travels to Earth to recruit some help. Enter wrestler/superhero/man child Kinnikuman and the Justice Supermen (one of whom is clearly a nazi). Beansman and his guns for hire head to Planet Rakka to defeat the samurai, but discover their foes multiple, so instead of traditional combat they stage seven simultaneous wrestling death matches with the samurai champions.
Detective Japowski brought these movies to my attention, figuring the wrestling gimmick would be right up my alley. There's not actually a lot of that in here though, largely it's just riffing off of Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven. It's pretty bizarre, and would probably be more fun if the main character wasn't so annoying.
First watch: 2 Sushi Rolls
The Ani-zona Case Files
The Red Turtle (2016)
A man finds himself stranded on a deserted island, and every time he tries to escape a giant turtle destroys his raft.
Technically not anime as it was made in France by a Dutch director (Oscar winner Michaël Dudok de Wit), but it is co-produced by Studio Ghibli, and a number of their animators worked on the film, which is close enough for me.
This is a beautiful movie, it looks fantastic, and the lack of dialogue really makes you focus on what's happening on screen, which in turn draws you into the story.
As enjoyable as the experience was I don't know how often you'd wish to repeat it.
First watch: 3.5 Sushi Rolls 🍣
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May
Crying Freeman (1995)
A soulful potter is recommissioned to become an unstoppable assassin when two tribes go to war, but finds love along the way. The popular Manga series gets an Ernest adaptation. But where those movies had Jim Varney, here you get Mark Dacascos and the sister from Eerie Indiana! This is the level and age of cheese I enjoy though, even if it is a little stinky!
First watch: 2.5 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May
Tokusatsu Gagaga! (2019)
"Tokusatsu- A live action film or TV series that relies heavily on special effects e.g Godzilla, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai.
A young office worker who once loved Super Sentai has that fire rekindled, but chooses to keep it her secret shame due to how she was made to feel as a child. But when she bonds with a young boy, he shows her there is no shame in embracing the things you love.
A funny and poignant slice of life J-drama that a lot of people will identify with on some level whether your Japanese or a western toyboy! A 7 episode TV series.
First watch: 4.5 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
Otaku Dick-San Japowski's Ani-May*
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)
The future, 2001 and our hero Ricky is sent to a hi-tech prison for avenging his girlfriend who was killed by one of those crime lords. Whilst in prison Ricky sticks up for the little guy but makes way more enemies. Luckily for him he has splatter happy fists and legs like scissors!
A cult classic that has a reputation that precedes it for its incredible make up and prosphetic work and over the top action.
First watch: 4 out of 5 Sushi rolls 🍣
The Ani-zona Case Files
Arrietty (2010)
A young boy retires to the countryside to rest before an operation. While there he discovers a family of little people also live in the house, and befriends 14 year-old Arrietty. But now they've been discovered the little people, known as Borrowers, must move on before they're caught by the adults in the house.
Studio Ghibli take on the classic children's tale, not as exciting or inventive as some of their other movies, but a fun little tale all the same.
Rewatch: 3 Sushi Rolls 🍣
Have you seen any of the movies we've investigated? What's your favourite anime flick? Lwt us know in the comments below.