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The anime medium has come a long way from its early beginnings on the silver screen to its modern capacity to draw crowds in theaters. As anime has become more popular among mainstream audiences, the medium's mature films have become increasingly beloved cult classics among fans. Whether an anime film is based on existing works or fashioned from completely original material, the best R-rated anime movies are celebrated for the dark tone and themes that define them.

Ghost in the Shell and Ninja Scroll are two of the most noteworthy R-rated anime films, but they are far from the only groundbreaking movies to redefine the mature side of the medium. The success of darker anime movies like these and many others is, in part, the catalyst for the growth of the medium's audience. A handful of R-rated anime movies are such masterpieces that they remain among the greatest works the medium has to offer fans.

Acclaimed Japanese animation director Masaaki Yuasa has announced the launch of his own animation studio, ame pippin. Teaming up with industry giants Asmik Ace, Inc., Aniplex Inc. and CoMix Wave Films Inc., Yuasa’s new venture promises to bring fresh and innovative content to the world of animation.

Yuasa, known for his unique and imaginative storytelling, has been a prominent figure in the animation world for decades. In 2013, he co-founded the hugely popular Japanese animation studio Science Saru with producer Eunyoung Choi. That studio produced Yuasa’s 2023 Golden Globe-nominated feature “Inu-Oh,” Netflix’s “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” and episodes of “Adventure Time” and “Star Wars: Visions.”

In the animation community, Yuasa’s most highly regarded work may be 2004’s “Mind Game,” considered by many to be one of the most important Japanese works of the 21st century. His more recent films, such as “Lu Over The Wall” and “Ride Your Wave,...

Quick Links Taiyo Matsumoto Deals with Interpersonal Themes Matsumoto's Manga Don't Always Need Anime Tokyo These Days Is a Commentary on the Manga Industry Taiyo Matsumoto Balances Creative Integrity with Industry Expectations Matsumoto's manga deal with interpersonal themes between adults and children. His work doesn't always need anime - it shines on the page. "Tokyo These Days" is a commentary on the manga industry, balancing art and commercialism.

For those who have not yet read Taiyo Matsumoto's manga or seen the anime film Studio 4C created for Tekkonkinkreet, his work may come across as inaccessible, depending on any given work. The artist and writer has been actively publishing his work since 1989 while snatching up coveted awards like the Shogakukan Manga Award for Sunny and two Eisner Awards, considered the Oscars of comics, for the localizations of Tekkonkinkreet and Cats of the Louvre. Matsumoto is indeed a fascinating, multifaceted creator,...

This review may contain spoilers.

Yusuke Hirota makes his directorial debut with STUDIO4 ºC on “Poupelle of Chimney Town” (2020). The director is not new to the film scene, however. Hirota previously worked with the studio as a CGI artist on projects like “Berserk” (2012) and “Mind Game” (2004). Likewise, “Poupelle” is not news, either. Comedian-turned-author Akihiro Nishino worked closely with Hirota to make “Poupelle” an extension of his previously published storybook. While the book covers around “three to four chapters” of Nishino’s ideas, the film intends to cover around “ten” – making it effectively an extension of the world that the book began.

“Poupelle of Chimney Town” is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema

As a result, “Poupelle of Chimney Town” (the movie) feels like a hodgepodge of storylines that combine into one. Here, under the walled, smog-covered skies of Chimneytown, Lubicchi (Mana Ashida) is a lonely chimney sweep.

Hybrid is probably the word to best suit Michael Arias’ “Tekkonkinkreet”. Based on Taito Matsumoto’s manga “Black & White”, it is the story of Yin and Yang brothers Kuro (“Black”) and Shiro (“White”) as they battle to save their home from adults, greedy bad guys and inner demons.

Tekkonkinkreet is screening at Japan Society

Treasure Town is an island in the middle of the city – a lawless neighborhood that nobody runs, but everybody claims. Children run the streets, to the annoyance of the yakuza; while the police holds little real power. But this is the chaotic order in place. That is until Hebi and his evil empire want to raze Treasure Town to the ground and build an amusement park in the name of profit. This evil force unites the inhabitants against this outsider as they gradually realize the plans in place, and it’s up to out two young heroes to fight back.

Japan Society is pleased to announce its fall lineup for Monthly Classics and Monthly Anime, kicking off on September 2, 2022 with a 35mm screening of Kihachi Okamoto’s satirical chambara, “Kill!”. 2006 anime classic “Tekkonkinkreet” will screen on September 16, featuring a Q&a with screenwriter Anthony Weintraub (“The Animatrix”). For October, Hideo Nakata’s 90s J-horror classic “Ringu” screens on October 7th followed by Mamoru Oshii’s rarely-screened 1985 ethereal masterpiece “Angel’s Egg” on October 14th. Monthly Anime continues on November 4th with a 35mm screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved “My Neighbor Totoro”.

Tickets: 15/12 students and seniors /5 Japan Society members.

Lineup and other details are subject to change.For complete information visit japansociety.org.

Kill!

Friday, September 2, 2022 at 7:00 Pm

Dir. Kihachi Okamoto, 1968, 114 min, 35mm, b&w. With Tatsuya Nakadai, Etsushi Takahashi, Yuriko Hoshi.

Kihachi Okamoto’s darkly satirical chambara opens in the midst of a pummeling windstorm on the outskirts...

The BFI today announce full details of a hotly anticipated two-month season dedicated to Anime, running at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX from 28 March – 31 May. Originally planned for summer 2020 as part of the BFI’s major survey of Japanese cinema BFI Japan, the season arrives, at long last, to entertain and delight anime fans and novices alike.

The programme will include:

· A broad mixture of classic films such as Akira, Ghost In The Shell, Belladonna Of Sadness, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and Tekkonkinkreet, as well as an early shorts programme spotlighting work from 1917-1946· Previews of new releases including the thrillingly original Inu-oh, high-octane urban fairy tale Bubble and the powerful and thought-provoking short Summer Ghost (2021) followed by a Q&a with director loundraw· Much-loved recent work by major auteurs Mamoru Hosoda, Makoto Shinkai (Your Name) and the late great Satoshi Kon· A spotlight on emerging female talent Naoko Yamada...

Distributor plans 2021 release.

Gkids has acquired North American rights from Asmik Ace to Masaaki Yuasa’s musical animation Inu-Oh, recently presented as a work in progress at Annecy.

The film tells the story of the friendship between the legendary 14th century Noh performer Inu-Oh, and the blind Biwa player Tomona, who rise from hardship to stardom through their creative partnership.

The film features character creation from manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet), who previously collaborated with Yuasa on the anime adaptation of Matsumoto’s series Ping Pong The Animation.

Eunyoung Choi of Science Saru and Fumie Takeuchi of Asmik Ace served as producers.

Anime is one of the biggest and most profitable entertainment industries in Japan. Considering its popularity in the country and beyond, every year, the industry drives massive revenues. Furthermore, anime has also come to characterize and define the culture of Japan in general, with many anime fans learning everything about their favorite anime characters and even trying to resemble their looks. These days anime is not only about television. It has also penetrated the world of gaming, fashion, and even socialization in Japan. These days anime is something of the local business and financial superpower.

If one were to decide to study anime, the country of choice would certainly have to be Japan, as this is where anime was born. Most local universities do not offer a degree program in anime yet, but considering the popularity of the industry, things might change in the nearest future. Whatever the case, there...

"The entire ocean has begun moving." GKids has unveiled an official Us trailer for the Japanese anime film titled Children of the Sea, which has been playing at a few film festivals last year (after initially opening in Japan in the summer). This is the latest feature made by Japan's Studio 4°C, and is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a score by award-winning composer and longtime Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The story involves a young girl named Ruka who is drawn into a mystery involving sealife around the world, in which two mysterious water-connected boys are involved. Of course, she falls in love with one of them. Starring the voices of Mana Ashida, Hiiro Ishibashi, Seishû Uragami, and Win Morisaki in the original version. It's a funky film, with a few quirky, odd moments, along with the usual cute, fun moments in so many anime films these ...

Studio 4°C, the Japanese animation studio founded by Eiko Tanaka and Koji Morimoto in 1986, that produced successes such as Japan Academy Award winner, “Tekkonkinkreet” and “Mfkz”, is now behind the adaptation of Daisuke Igarashi’s award-winning fantasy manga Kaiju no Kodomo / Children of the Sea.

Directed by Ayumu Watanabe, “Children of the Sea” looks as gorgeous as the original source material. The original music score is by renown composer Joe Hisayshi while the theme song “Umi no Yuurei”, was written, composed, arranged, and performed by young singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu who is an early fan of the original Manga. Kenichi Konishi is in charge of character design.

The movie will debut June 7th in Japan before making a debut in the Us later this year, courtesy of prestigious, New York-based distributor Gkids (Funan, Perfect Blue, Mirai)

Synopsis:

During a summer vacation, Ruka, an introverted and disaffected junior high school student, meets...

Gkids, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, has announced the English voice cast for Mfkz, released under the name "Mutafukaz" in international territories. Mfkz is a collaboration from French comic artist Guillaume "Run" Renard, original creator of the "Mutafukaz" comic series, and ultra-hip Japanese animation house Studio 4&#176C, creators of the acclaimed anime features "Tekkonkinkreet," "Genius Party," and "Mind Game."

The film will feature the voices of Michael Chiklis, Giancarlo Espositio, Jorge Gutierrez, Dascha Polanco, RZA, Vince Staples, and Danny Trejo. The "Tekkonkinkreet" dream team of co-director Shojiro Nishimi and art director Shinji Kimura reunite to bring to life Mfkz, a dark but stunningly animated sci-fi vision m&#233lange of anime, film noir, and Lucha Libre, which made its world premiere at the 2017 Annecy International Film Festival.

Presented by Gkids and Fathom Events, Mfkz debuts in U.S. cinemas on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00 p.

Warner Bros. are teaming up with Studio4ºC, the Japanese animation company behind Halo Legends and Tekkonkinkreet, on a brand new iteration of the classic 80s cartoon ThunderCats for the Cartoon Network. From the official press release:

Warner Bros. Animation (Wba) has begun production on ThunderCats, an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. ThunderCats is the newest series from Wba, joining Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: The Looney Tunes Show, Mad, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Young Justice. The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ThunderCats marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers,...

Here’s the opening for another game from the neverending .hack series, .hack//net for the Playstation Portable. Normally this wouldn’t be really newsworthy, but this has been animated by the brilliant minds (or hands) at Studio 4°C and if you watch closely you may recognize the unique style of Shojiro Nishimi who did the character design for the amazon Tekkonkinkreet.

[via Manganimation.net]...

As the noughties tick down, let's shine a belated spotlight on the films that never got their due at release in the past 10 years

With the mood of reflection common to all year-ends magnified by this being the close of a decade, the list-loving world of film is awash with rundowns of the finest moments of not just 2009 but the entire noughties. In this very spot, you'll have already seen the Guardian's crack team reveal the first 90 titles of their golden hundred, with the final 10 being unveiled over the days ahead. But in the spirit of fair play, I thought it might also be worth drafting a top 10 of a slightly different nature – not the decade's best per se, but it's most underrated.

In short, what with this being the season of goodwill and so on, it might be apt to briefly pick out in the spotlight those films that...

Sweet Animated Mindfuck! German independent distributor Rapid Eye Movies has announced to finally release the short film omnibus Genius Party on DVD in Germany on July 17!

The collection includes seven short films from directors Atsuko Fukushima (Genius Party), Shoji Kawamori (Shanghai Dragon), Shinji Kimura (Deathic 4), Yuji Fukuyama (Doorbell), Hideki Futamura (Limit Cycle), Masaaki Yuasa (Happy Machine) and Shinichiro Watanabe (Baby Blue) united under the roof of Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet) for the project.

The DVD will be released in a limited edition digipack packed in a slipcase and will include the original Japanese track and the German dub in 5.1 Dolby Surround. Sadly there will only be German subtitles, so (still) no luck for you German-impaired folks. Extras will include 30 more minutes of short films (maybe a preview of Genius Party Beyond?) and a some postcards.

Genius Party and its sequel Genius Party Beyond will be running on next week’s Japanese Film Festival in Hamburg.

BRUSSELS -- Japanese anime title Tekkon Kinkreet has won the Grand Prix for best feature at Brussels' Anima international cartoon festival.

Directed by Michael Arias, Tekkon Kinkreet was adapted from Black and White, a manga series originally published in 1993 and 1994. The story takes place in the fictional city of Takara Machi and centers on two street kids: the tough, canny Kuro and the childish Shiro.

The film beat out Nocturna by Spanish directors Victor Maldonado and Adrian Garcia, Magnus Carlsson's Swedish film Desmond and the Marsh Monster, French/German/Polish co-production Little King Macius and Italian co-production El Arca, directed by Argentina's Juan Pablo Buscarini.

The festival also premiered out-of-competition title "Fear(s) of the Dark," directed by six different animators, including Charles Burns, Blutch, Marie Caillou and Richard McGuire. Meanwhile, The Tale of How, by South African collective the Blackheart Gang, won the Grand Prize for best short animation.

Nearly 800 films were submitted to Anima this year and more than 100 short movies eventually took part in the international competition.

For the first time, the competition also included prizes for music videos and commercials.

• Michael Arias has been working in Hollywood for a while. He started out doing special effects for films such as The Abyss, later he would develop software that would help turn Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke into an international success. It was this plus producing The Animatrix that landed Michael in a position to be the first western director of a Japanese anime. Michael is no stranger to Japan, in fact, he’s lived there since he was 24 and speaks fluent Japanese. He currently lives in Tokyo with his wife and two children. Tekkonkinkreet is based Taiyo Matsumoto’s manga published in the United Stated under the title Black and White (the names of the two lead characters). It takes place in an alternate universe in the colorful city known as Treasure Town, where gangs of flying children protect their slum from cooperate corruption. The film blends a unique mix

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