Area of Film Focus – Cinematography and Style in the Anime/Manga genre
“The word anime is the Japanese term for animation, which means all forms of animated media. Outside Japan, anime refers specifically to animation from Japan or as a Japanese-disseminated animation style often characterized by colorful graphics, vibrant characters and fantastical themes.” – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime)
Film 1 – Perfect Blue
REVIEWS: (Sourced from Rotten Tomatoes)
“Strange, stylish and intelligent, this is a rare anime film that delivers on its Eastern promise.” – Kim Newman, Empire
“Animated. Singer quits band to become an actress. Interesting play on perceptions of reality.” – Anita Gates, The NYTimes
“A brutal and haunting meditation on identity, femininity, and fame.” – Matt Brunson, Film Frenzy
Film 2 – A Silent Voice
REVIEWS: (Sourced from Rotten Tomatoes)
“It’s a very tough tightrope director Naoko Yamada walks with a protagonist bully but she manages to underscore the social anxiety and rejection of both characters with poignancy and power.” – Rachel Wagner, Rotoscopers
“A marvelously subtle work of visual storytelling.” – Tim Brayton, Alternate Ending
“The film is beautiful to look at. The film is hand-drawn, and the outdoor settings and backdrops are breathtaking. A Silent Voice is a true piece of art.” Alan Ng, Film Threat
Comparative Study Question – “How has the Anime/Manga genre changed over time?”