A rare glimpse of early Japanese sound anime and prewar Japanese culture, The Roots of Japanese Anime features the masterworks of such pioneers of Japanese animation as Noburo Ofuji, Yasuji Murata, and Kenzo Masaoka, in addition to Mitsuyo Seo’s Momotaro’s Sea Eagle, the notorious war cartoon billed as Japan’s first feature anime. These movies represent the brilliance and variety of anime, ranging from beautiful Japanese paper animation to powerful multiplane cel cartoons. They also evoke the fascinating complexity of Japan, a nation that is then both marching towards war, enlisting kids in militarist nationalism, yet also delighting in a mixture of modern popular culture, ancient folk tales, irreverent comedy, and the everyday life of prewar Japanese children.
The Roots of Japanese Anime Until the End of WWII: 1930-1942
A rare glimpse of early Japanese sound anime and prewar Japanese culture, The Roots of Japanese Anime features the masterworks of such pioneers of Japanese animation as Noburo Ofuji, Yasuji Murata, and Kenzo Masaoka, in addition to Mitsuyo Seo’s Momotaro’s Sea Eagle, the notorious war cartoon billed as Japan’s first feature anime. These movies represent the brilliance and variety of anime, ranging from beautiful Japanese paper animation to powerful multiplane cel cartoons. They also evoke the fascinating complexity of Japan, a nation that is then both marching towards war, enlisting kids in militarist nationalism, yet also delighting in a mixture of modern popular culture, ancient folk tales, irreverent comedy, and the everyday life of prewar Japanese children.
2008-01-01
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A lonely fisherman drifts into haunted waters in search of food and finds much more than he bargained for. Based on an Inuit folktale.
Done with high school, a boy goes into exile in the mountains. His best friend, who hasn't found happiness in society, joins him.
While comically depicting the fragility of the end of summer from the perspective of popsicles, this work conveys the smell of the Showa era and the atmosphere of downtown.
A member of an elite paramilitary counter-terrorism unit becomes traumatized after witnessing the suicide bombing of a young girl and is forced to undergo retraining. However, unbeknownst to him, he becomes a key player in a dispute between rival police divisions, as he finds himself increasingly involved with the sister of the girl he saw die.
A vulture, a gorilla and a hyena (“with no small resemblances to actual dictators”) bully the woodland animals, who eventually fight back, using the letter V as their victory symbol.
During World War Two, Daffy Duck owns a junkyard which collects scrap metal to use in building weapons to continue the Allied fight against the Axis powers. Hitler reads about Daffy's scrap pile and about Daffy's stated intent to win the war with junk and, after throwing a fit and chewing a carpet like a mad dog, orders Daffy's scrap pile destroyed.
Struggling to cope after a move to the city with his mother, Elmer runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon who waits to be rescued. Elmer’s adventures introduce him to ferocious beasts, a mysterious island and the friendship of a lifetime.
When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient's dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist can stop it and recover it before damage is done: Paprika.
This is an educational anime short produced to be shown in schools and designed to prevent child abduction. It follows a young girl named Yumi who dreams about a video game she is playing which teaches her what to do if a strange man tries to force her into a car.
Momoko's teacher asks the third grade to draw a picture based on their favorite song, to enter in a contest. She picks a song she's recently become fond of during music class, and is anxious to make a good drawing based on it. On her way to meet relatives in Shizuoka, Momoko meets Shoko Kimura, a university student who occasionally draws portraits and plans to participate in an art contest. Momoko and Shoko become close friends, and end up inspiring each other both in their own ways.
Made by 21st Cinetics and Billy Budd Films for the Morris County, Pennsylvania Division of Drug Control and Intervention, “Holy Smoke in Three Acts” is an unconventional anti-drug cartoon that was inspired by ideas put forth by students. The animation were created by R.J. Barcklow. The short, three-act animated film presents two artists and examines how the world around them influences their artwork. Both of the artists are influenced by drugs, drug use and the anti-drug campaign.
A spooky and campy descent into atmospheric madness. This take on an old classic story may or may not answer that age old question: What’s lurking in the shadows? What’s watching you from the darkness?
Jubei is a masterless ninja who travels the land alone, lending his services to those with gold—or a worthy cause. His fearsome abilities have served him well, but a plot to overthrow the government threatens to end his wandering ways—and possibly his life.
The stunning princess desires an inextinguishable fair of love as proof of true feelings. Brave suitors fly to the four corners of the world to look for it.
Enjoy this lively collection of Chuck Jones-produced cartoons, which showcases longtime enemies Tom and Jerry engaged in a variety of exciting chases and fun adventures, often involving dangerous traps, hilarious pranks and huge chunks of cheese. To fend off Tom, Jerry occasionally enlists the help of strangers, including a huge circus elephant, a dog, a fellow mouse and even a fairy princess.