Michael Arias smoothly translates the unconventional work of popular “underground” manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto into a dynamic feature-length animated film. In the opening scene, a raven ominously soars across Tokyo’s vast skies before diving down to saunter along the streets of a ramshackle old neighborhood. Good and evil play out mesmerizingly to the tune of progress, in the guise of real estate development. Originally published serially in the manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits in 1993, the story revolves around two uncompromising street urchins—one of whom possesses magical powers and can be found in startling positions (atop telephone poles, for example, looking for lurking adult oppressors). Production company Studio 4ºC is known for deftly marrying indie animation spirit with a mainstream anime aesthetic.
Organized by Barbara London, Associate Curator, Department of Media.