You are welcome to look at the talkback but please consider that this article is over 2 months old before posting.
Forum - View topicREVIEW: Momotaro, Sacred Sailors BD+DVD
Goto page 1, 2, 3 Next Note: this is the discussion thread for this article |
View previous topic :: View next topic | ||||
Author | Message | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rolando_jose
Posts: 236 Location: Ahhhh it's vacation time again! |
|
|||
Does anyone knows if this is the restored version?
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
MarshalBanana
Posts: 1808 |
|
|||
Why was the title changed, it used to be called, and really still is, Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
Lemonchest
Posts: 1319 |
|
|||
Shame about the lack of extras. For old releases like this it's the commentaries, interviews etc that give much needed context & added value.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
ParkerALx
Posts: 191 |
|
|||
A paragraph about how the transfer looks would have been helpful, considering the film's age. How does the restoration look? Is there print damage? Does it smudge away the film grain with invasive digital noise reduction? As much as I enjoyed the historical overview here, a Blu-ray review needs to address picture quality. Otherwise, it's just a review of the movie.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
Zac
ANN Executive Editor
Posts: 7677 Location: Anime News Network Technodrome |
|
|||
This review is based on an early screener copy provided by Funimation, not the final disc - as such there are no remarks on the bluray copy, and the review was labeled in error. Sorry about that. I've changed the title of the review to reflect that, and we'll send the Bluray to Mike (which just arrived yesterday) for an additional paragraph about the video quality. We'll update once that goes live, which is common practice for reviews like this. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
Kikaioh
Posts: 1187 Location: Antarctica |
|
|||
While I appreciate the information in this review, I do find its somewhat glib summarizations bordering maybe a bit on the offensive side...? After all, it's a movie about a real war, and cartoony though the film may have been, the review of it could have stood to be a bit less... I don't know... breezy? To my knowledge, there are still hundreds of thousands of American veteran survivors of WWII (I come from a military family, and my father was a veteran), and there's a hint of humorous indulgence to this review that comes across maybe a bit insensitive to the seriousness of the subject matter. At first glance, the review almost reads positively about Japan's role in the war, and I don't feel I should have to read between the lines to tell what might or might not be playful sarcasm.
Anyways, that's my two cents, I'm actually interested in seeing the film since it's a piece of history, I guess I just would've appreciated a more academic and technical review. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
Rekishika
Posts: 12 |
|
|||
The combination of "Momotaro, Sacred Sailors" and "The Spider and the Tulip" isn't such an odd choice. Both are considered to be (the?) masterpieces of "pre-modern" Japanese animation, i.e. that made before Toei entered the field in the second half of the 1950s. Moreover, Masaoka produced the shadow animation in "Momotaro, Sacred Sailors" which, ironically, was directed by his former disciple Seo. And for the first combined release on VHS there might have been the hope of counterbalancing the propaganda in "Momotaro, Sacred Sailors" with the seemingly unpolitical "The Spider and the Tulip", although there is some debate about how unpolitical the latter really was and how it was perceived at the time.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
H. Guderian
Posts: 829 |
|
|||
Historians have a habit of being able to distance themselves from subject matter and taking it for what it is. If someone shows me gorgeous art created during the Crusades, I don't say, 'man, war is bad.' It is passed. No one's gonna watch this and suddenly tie a hachimaki and grab their sword and restart the war. It is a rare glimpse of a completely different time and era. being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes is what makes the study of history such an amazing thing. To put yourself in the shoes of those early animators, to consume what they produced, whatever it is, is to gain insight into the people and times of the era. For people who care deeply about anime's roots beyond a few decades ago this work stands as a monument not for what it says, but for the fact it could exist would then seed the future of animation in the Post-War era that gives us our modern anime world. If Japan's Shadow Staff animators weren't around or producing during the war, there's a chance there'd be no large 2D animation industry in japan now. Its much bigger than, 'someone somewhere could be offended by a cartoon.' As for academics and technical aspects that could be addressed, he pointed that out. The credits are sparse. We don't know who did what for many of the jobs. They sing songs and things blow up. Its Fuku-chan without the dinner scene and more stabbing. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
Kikaioh
Posts: 1187 Location: Antarctica |
|
|||
@Guderian: I don't dispute the historical significance of the movie (as I said, I'm interested in seeing it myself for that very reason). Again, my issue is more with the glibness of the review. When Mike says things like:
...it just comes across as disrespectful, or at least, insensitive to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who are still alive today that fought in the war. I mean, maybe Mike doesn't realize it, but his statement implies that US soldiers went to the Pacific, wrecking "the shit out of everything" under the pretense of "this is just our culture". Coming from a military background, that's a bit disrespectful. I realize for many on this forum it seems like a long-distant past, but there are still WWII veterans out there today (I guess, who are unfortunately being forgotten), and I would think for a professional review, it would be more appropriate to be conscientious when discussing something as particular as a war propaganda film. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
MattB1
Posts: 17 |
|
|||
Maybe that's just Toole's immaturity talking. I respect his knowledge of and passion for Japanese animation, but I find his columns to be a pain in the butt to read. He comes across as an overexcited fanboy much of the time. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
MattB1
Posts: 17 |
|
|||
I wonder if Funimation included any supplementary material in the package that would put the film in historical context. It would make an excellent teaching tool for educators who want to give their students an insight into wartime Japanese culture. If it's just being sold as an action flick and nothing else, then Funimation would be guilty of extreme tone-deafness.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
dragonrider_cody
Posts: 2250 |
|
|||
I too come from a family that has a lot of military service, including both my brothers, several uncles, and I had members of both sides of my family who served in World War II. I also happen to work at a VA hospital in the region of the country with the highest number of surviving World War II veterans can, and one of the highest overall veteran populations in the country. So I see veterans from the war literally every single day that I work, and I'm willing to bet that I've discussed it with more veterans that most of the people on this forum. That being said, I think you are reading too much into the comment. That entire paragraph reads as insight from the Japanese writer, rather than the actual opinion of Mike. It's important to keep the fact that this is a propaganda film in perspective. And while his comment may have been a gross oversimplification of the situation, there was some very basic truth to it in regards to America's imperialistic tendencies in the 20th century. You're not going to get an unbiased view about war from a propaganda film, largely pursued by a nation's government. Getting upset about the wording in a review or the viewpoints of the film makers, or a reviewer isn't going to serve any good. I do find it somewhat amusing that I see moral outrage about films like this, not to mention Grave of the Firelfies, from people who weren't even alive during WWII or even had family members that served. However, when I discuss it with veterans of the war, they are much more calm and level headed about it. I frequently hear that it was a "different time", and despite the attack on Pearl Harbor, I even hear regrets about some of the actions taken against civilians in Japan and Europe, especially given the fact that America citizens were not nearly as negatively affected by the war as the Japanese, Chinese, Russians, and Europeans. I even got the pleasure of talking to someone who participated in the fire bombings of Tokyo and he mentioned how he had nightmares for decades after the war. This film is being preserved for historical purposes, much like films and books from Nazi Germany have been. They aren't being used to slander anyone, promote imperialism or fallen regimes. Taking offense to one throw away line deep within a review is being a bit over sensitive. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
Kikaioh
Posts: 1187 Location: Antarctica |
|
|||
@Dragonrider Cody: You may be right that I could be reading Mike's post incorrectly. But in a review for a war propaganda film, I probably shouldn't have to guess whether seemingly callous phrases are coming from the perspective of the film, or from the perspective of the reviewer. It's difficult to parse, particularly since much of Mike's review is an odd mixture of the two.
I happen to be of Filipino descent (my mother is from the Philippines), so I don't come from the typical American perspective of a civilian background unaffected by the war. Anime fans in particular sometimes seem to gloss over Japan's imperialist history during WWII, which does bug me to some extent, since it can come across as putting the blinders on to the realities of Japanese history. Coupling that with my father's own history in war and growing up a military brat myself, I'm very sympathetic towards soldiers and the insensitive disregard they're sometimes treated with by civilians, so seeing a mixture of all those symptoms in a review, maybe that makes me a bit more predisposed to prick my ears up in suspicion. And to emphasize again, I have nothing against the film, its restoration or its existence. I think it's an important part of history, and gives great insight into animation production and viewpoints from the period. I feel this way about war films in general, regardless of whose side they're told from (I cried myself when I watched Grave of the Fireflies). I just think the review could have treated the material with a bit more circumspect awareness of the surrounding history, and the reality that hundreds of thousands (maybe even millions) of people who were affected by the war, are still alive today. A little more careful wording and clarification would have been nice. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
dragonrider_cody
Posts: 2250 |
|
|||
I will give you that point. I've seen anime fans go on and on about the fire bombings in Tokyo and Kyoto, the nuclear drops, and everything else, but completely gloss over Japan's transgressions in the war. Though admittedly, the US didn't suffer the worst of those. And I really appreciate that you can separate Grave of the Fireflies from propaganda films. It was very clearly a film from a civilian perspective, and could have very easily been told in a European or Chinese setting as well. I see a lot of comments that dismiss it as "proganda" or "ignoring history", but that's not the point. I can also understand the reaction. My hospital has extensive mental health services, including several inpatient care units. I regularly see Vietnam vets who were drafted despite lengthy mental and physical illnesses. So when I see politicians who got deferrals for "heal spurs" or "flat arches" because of connections, and a certain 70's one hit wonder who faked a mental illness to dodge the draft, I tend to lose my cool much more than you did. |
||||
Back to top | ||||
Kadmos1
Posts: 9558 |
|
|||
If Funi had decided to dub this, then this would be the oldest Japanese anime to get a dub. Also, it's not that often B&W anime is dubbed anymore.
|
||||
Back to top | ||||
Anime News Network Forum Index -> Site-related -> Talkback |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page 1, 2, 3 Next |
|
Page 1 of 3 |
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
⬈
⬋
-
+
Forum
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
The Summer 2017 Anime Preview Guide
anime
The Summer 2017 Anime Preview Guide has begun! Check back daily for fresh previews of every new show this season. Available Now: Classroom of the Elite - My First Girlfriend is a Gal - Magic Circle Guru-Guru - In Another World with my Smartphone - New Game!! - Angel's 3Piece! - Chronos Ruler - Princess Principal - A Centaur's Life - Hitorijime My Hero - Action Heroine Cheer Fruits - and much more!
Answerman - How Does An Anime Studio Go Out Of Business?
industry
We've been reading in the news lately about anime studios going bankrupt - how does that even happen? Justin gets into the wild world of anime finance.
― boy kano asks: How can an anime studio goes bankrupt? If they receive money from a publisher like Kadokawa, surely it can cover up the cost of making an anime title. Anime studios can and do go bankrupt, and in the last few years, at least one or t...
3DCG in Anime: An Introduction
anime
CG in anime can look pretty crummy sometimes, but before you throw the CG baby out with the CG bathwater, read this article and get an education on the hows and whys of 3D anime.
― The prevalence of social media has had a big effect on media criticism, whether it is well-intentioned, innocuous fun or genuinely toxic attacks. A title as popular as Berserk getting a new and by all means subpar adaptati...
Castlevania
anime
Fans of Konami's legendary vampire-slaying game series have waited decades for an adaptation; is Netflix's Castlevania the OVA they've been waiting for?
― I didn't have a particularly compelling reason to keep my expectations high for Netflix's Castlevania adaptation – nobody did, really. I've been in love with Konami's sidescrolling vampire series since it debuted in the 80s and have followed the fr...
Vice & Luna - The Brutal Alley
just for fun
Comic-con continues, and Maybell's dark day in Artist's Alley isn't quite over yet.
―
Review: Mary and the Witch's Flower
anime
"If Mary and the Witch's Flower proves one thing, it's that Studio Ghibli has nurtured enough talent to match Miyazaki's raw skill." Our review of Studio Ponoc's first feature is live now.
― “Who will be the next Miyazaki?” is a question that is often asked, but it's yet to receive a satisfying answer. Hayao Miyazaki's personality has dominated the Studio Ghibli brand for so long that it's doubtful t...
Anime Spotlight - Princess Principal
anime
Profession: Spy
Mission: Female High School Student ― Princess Principal Official Website: http://www.pripri-anime.jp/ Twitter: @pripri_anime Introduction Characters Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 9th, 2017 Available at: Key Staff Director: Masaki Tachibana (.hack//Quantum (OAV), Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (TV)) Series Structure: Ichiro Ohkouchi (Angelic Layer (TV), Azumanga Daioh (TV), Berserk:...
Mission: Female High School Student ― Princess Principal Official Website: http://www.pripri-anime.jp/ Twitter: @pripri_anime Introduction Characters Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 9th, 2017 Available at: Key Staff Director: Masaki Tachibana (.hack//Quantum (OAV), Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (TV)) Series Structure: Ichiro Ohkouchi (Angelic Layer (TV), Azumanga Daioh (TV), Berserk:...
PC Impressions - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
games
The "harrowing, horrifying, macabre, and generally icky" Danganronpa spinoff finally gets a PC port, and Dustin dares to give it a spin.
― I'm enough of a post-ironic 90s child to have allowed “rad” to slip back into my vocabulary as a catch-all for things that are pretty good, but there's no better word than that to describe the style of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls—as long as yo...
Answerman - Why Is Anime Dialogue Recorded After Animation Is Done?
anime
DIalogue for many Western cartoons is recorded before animation is done; in Japan, the animation is done first. Why is that? Justin gets into it.
― James asks: Some time ago, you stated that one of the major differences between western animation and Japanese animation is that, in western animation, all dialogue is recorded first, and then the animation is done to match the dialogue, while, in Japane...
How Photographs Can Be Used To Create Manga/Graphic Novels/Comics
manga
What if you could have a manga-style story in live-action? No, we don't mean a film or a TV show based on a manga, but an actual comic strip that uses photography, plus ingenious practical and digital effects.
― What if you could have a manga-style story in live-action? No, we don't mean a film or a TV show based on a manga, but an actual comic strip that uses photography, plus ingenious practical an...
Shelf Life - Divine Gate
anime
Not all mobile game adaptations are created equally, as clearly witnessed in the unfortunate case of Divine Gate. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― It's Preview Guide time again! There have been a couple of nice surprises this season, along with some big-name titles and a few genuine stinkers. Check it out if you haven't already, but first we've got some new releases to s...
KanColle: Kantai Collection BD+DVD
anime
The command of the Girls Fleet is yours in this high-concept anime about anthropomorphized WWII battleships; Theron Martin dons his admiral's cap for a closer look.
― The Strike Witches franchise features teenage witches who essentially become anthropomorphized WWII-era fighter planes in an effort to fight off alien invaders. Arpeggio of Blue Steel features young women who are avatars of revamped WWI...
The Mike Toole Show - Searching for Star Blazers
anime
It's a top-shelf, lavish remake of a smash hit sci-fi anime series many Western fans would love to get their hands on - so why did Mike have to import it from Italy to watch it legally?
― I tried to be patient for Star Blazers 2199. I skipped out on pirating the series; that's not really something I do anymore, unless the title in question only ever came out on VHS in 1988. When Voyager Entertainment...
Vinland Saga GN 8
manga
Vinland Saga continues to be compelling as Thorfinn searches for sponsors for his trip to Vinland and somehow ends up with a dog and a baby instead.
― The violence of Makoto Yukimura's Viking epic Vinland Saga has waned. It was an important factor in hero Thorfinn's early development – without his time with Askeladd and his armies, Thorfinn would never have developed either the ambition that he has t...