(click on the picture of the auteur to learn more about them)
Osama Tezuka, Hayao Miyazaki & Satoshi Kon
Osama Tezuka aka the “God” of manga is responsible for the creation of Astro Boy the artificial child with a heart of gold, the mystifying and altruistic surgeon Black Jack, and countless other memorable characters. He is the father of modern Japanese cartoons and an innovator of his craft.
Picture from this fan site
Hayao Miyazaki is arguably responsible for the widespread popularity of cinematic anime across the globe. Miyazaki’s directorial debut in a feature film entitled Castle of Cagliostro has a car chase that Steven Spielberg has cited as one of his favorite action sequences. The film was produced before Hayao Miyazaki joined Studio Ghibli where he would go on to create many of his most beloved works including My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, Princess Monoke, & Spirited Away and continues to work prolifically with the animation studio.
Hayao Miyazaki is also famous for his countless projects and concepts that never quite got off the ground. Below is one such example.
Little Nemo is an anime adaptation of an older comic of the same name. Hayao Miyazaki later animated a test film for a new version, which you can enjoy below…
Satoshi Kon died on August 24th, 2010 but he left a legacy of beautiful cartoons that transcended genre and challenged his audiences. Many of his films are notable for their mature approach to controversial issues, such as stalkers and pop stars in his directorial debut, the thriller Perfect Blue, the trio of homeless people who discover an abandoned baby in Tokyo Godfathers or the dream world of Paprika. No matter the topic, Kon tackled his subject with a creative vigor that stretched the boundaries of the medium and invited a whole new audience into anime.
He also was a writer and conceptualist for the short film Magnetic Rose, available on a compilation called Memories which also features shorts from Tensai Okamura and Katsuhiro Otomo (the original creator of the cult classic Akira); highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in high-concept animation.
Kon also created a critically acclaimed television show called Paranoia Agent, a psychological thriller with an immense ensemble cast, and a sense of humor that is both funny and unsettling.
Getting Deeper Into the Dream
Redline is the debut anime from Katsuhito Ishii, about a high-stakes intergalactic road race,
painstakingly hand-drawn over four long years. This movie is a visceral punch to the gut.
Walt Disney Pictures is releasing Studio Ghibli’s next feature, Arrietty.
Check your local listings.
MIDORI-KO is one of the animated films to be featured at the festival.
This web site features a wealth of essays pertaining to the work of Hayao Miyazaki any fan could enjoy reading.
Indie Anime is constantly updating with the latest news, videos, and pictures of the latest in anime enetertainment.
Action fans take note, Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s magnum opus, Ninja Scroll is available in its entirety on YouTube. For adults only!
If you’re interested, an article concerning the controversial nomenclature of Japanese animation is available here.
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