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Originally, I was going to do a review of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Wicked City, but at some point last week I heard about Urotsukidôji. After seeing Wicked City earlier this week, and thinking it wasn't much chop (at least not to really dedicate a whole review to), I returned to my local video store and rented out Urotsukidôji. And then the experience began.
Urotsukidôji is set in modern Tokyo, revolving around the notion that there are three parallel universes - our human world, a demon underworld and a third world populated by human-beast hybrids with supernatural powers. The beasts and the demons are searching for the legendary Chojin, a demi-god that, when discovered and awakened, will unite all three worlds for an age of peace and prosperity.
If you know your fair share about animé in general (not just the likes of Spirited Away or Pokémon), you'll know about the darker side of the genre which is packed with graphic violence and sex. Urotsukidôji is a prime example of just how utterly horrific animé can be. Even though I suspect the Australian version has been censored, what remains is still some intense viewing material. I won't go into details, but I think the phrase I used earlier, "packed with graphic violence and sex" pretty much sums up the more horrific parts of the film (not to mention lots of monsters and mutants).
The rest of the film holds up surprisingly well for such an ultra-violent piece. The plot is actually fairly well-structured, with a few decent twists thrown in that lead up to one fairly shocking conclusion. As for the dialogue, it was mediocre, but practically every animé film's English dubbing is mediocre so it doesn't matter that much. The actual animation worked well, if it was a little rough in parts. Overall, Urotsukidôji was a pretty well-made animé. But obviously people aren't going to remember it for technical brilliance.
I can't picture myself recommending Urotsukidôji to anybody. All I can do is let them know that it really is a brutal demon-fantasy tale, peppered with countless unsettling images. Although personally I didn't find the film as utterly disturbing as I'd expected, I can still see how others can be seriously shocked by the film's content, and I have to warn, it is NOT for the sensitive or light of heart. Be warned.
UROTSUKIDÔJI
(Hideki Takayama, 1989)
(Hideki Takayama, 1989)
Originally, I was going to do a review of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Wicked City, but at some point last week I heard about Urotsukidôji. After seeing Wicked City earlier this week, and thinking it wasn't much chop (at least not to really dedicate a whole review to), I returned to my local video store and rented out Urotsukidôji. And then the experience began.
Urotsukidôji is set in modern Tokyo, revolving around the notion that there are three parallel universes - our human world, a demon underworld and a third world populated by human-beast hybrids with supernatural powers. The beasts and the demons are searching for the legendary Chojin, a demi-god that, when discovered and awakened, will unite all three worlds for an age of peace and prosperity.
If you know your fair share about animé in general (not just the likes of Spirited Away or Pokémon), you'll know about the darker side of the genre which is packed with graphic violence and sex. Urotsukidôji is a prime example of just how utterly horrific animé can be. Even though I suspect the Australian version has been censored, what remains is still some intense viewing material. I won't go into details, but I think the phrase I used earlier, "packed with graphic violence and sex" pretty much sums up the more horrific parts of the film (not to mention lots of monsters and mutants).
The rest of the film holds up surprisingly well for such an ultra-violent piece. The plot is actually fairly well-structured, with a few decent twists thrown in that lead up to one fairly shocking conclusion. As for the dialogue, it was mediocre, but practically every animé film's English dubbing is mediocre so it doesn't matter that much. The actual animation worked well, if it was a little rough in parts. Overall, Urotsukidôji was a pretty well-made animé. But obviously people aren't going to remember it for technical brilliance.
I can't picture myself recommending Urotsukidôji to anybody. All I can do is let them know that it really is a brutal demon-fantasy tale, peppered with countless unsettling images. Although personally I didn't find the film as utterly disturbing as I'd expected, I can still see how others can be seriously shocked by the film's content, and I have to warn, it is NOT for the sensitive or light of heart. Be warned.