Memories

Katsuhiro Otomo’s Memories consists of three stand alone stories, each with their own different styles and messages.

• We have ‘Magnetic Rose’, a story based on a manga short by Otomo and directed by Koji Morimoto.
• ‘Stink Bomb’, another story that was created by Otomo, has been directed by Tensai Okamura (who helmed the fantastic Wolf’s Rain).
• And rounding off the trio is ‘Cannon Fodder’, a feature which Otomo himself wrote and directed.

Magnetic Rose – Directed by Koji Morimoto

After picking up a distress call and being legally obliged to respond, a group of space-bound garbage collectors are lured into a surreal landscape full of mystery and a strange beauty.
Awestruck and confused, the astronauts fall deeper into the ‘ship’, continuing their search for the person who set off the original distress call.

And so at this point, I’ll cease describing the plot and dive straight into the proper review. I don’t want to spoil this great story for anyone.

For me, Magnetic Rose is a fantastic creation, both highly original and incredibly tender; this is one short feature that basically defines my love of anime.

Morimoto superbly weaves together an atmospheric setting with a growing sense of claustrophobia. He slowly reveals a chilling, sad story and despite the obvious sci-fi setting, we are treated to a memorable cast of characters.
Having since discovered that the great Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers) was behind the direction of the characters, it should come as no surprise to see his trademark mix of grit and realism coming to the fore yet again.

The operatic soundtrack is an absolute treat, and fans of anime soundtracks will no doubt be pleased to hear that is was composed by the legendary Yoko Kanno; the genius behind soundtracks of the likes of Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus and Wolf’s Rain, to name but a few.
Is this a dream team or what?

Add to the above some inspired visuals and beautiful, fluid animation, and what we end up with is a near perfect example of why anime is so loved around the world. Magnetic Rose is brilliant.

Stink Bomb – Directed by Tensai Okamura

After taking a flu pill that he shouldn’t, our stupid young chemist becomes a fully blown biological weapon heading straight to Tokyo- only problem is, he doesn’t realize what he’s become! In fact, he wants to be rescued from this mysterious plague too!

With people dying left, right and centre, the safety of Japan rests in the hands of its government, and they are prepared to hit him with everything they’ve got! Reckon they’ll get their man?

An interesting and funny story, ‘Stink Bomb’ is a testament to human stupidity.

It’s funny to see that despite all the talk about government safety and security, just 1 man and his foolish mistake can somehow affect the lives of millions of people. Even today, no one is too small to make an impact in our society!

Particular stand outs in Stink Bomb have to be our man’s ignorance to how much harm he is causing to the people around him, and then there’s the pure shambles that is the Japanese military! At one point, the supposed’ unstoppable’ biological weapon is riding his way to Tokyo on a skanky old scooter, while what seems like a thousand missiles are exploding behind him!

A very funny story that is taking some not so subtle jabs at so called ‘invincible’ governments; Stink Bomb makes a fun, light hearted alternative to the other more serious stories on ‘Memories’.

Cannon Fodder – Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo

In a land where industrial technology has advanced tenfold, we are introduced to a small family living in what seems like a neo-Victorian city. Life isn’t too much fun though, as we quickly find out that the city is at war with another nation and further more, the entire purpose of anyone’s residence in this city is to fuel the giant cannons being fired every few hours.

Despite the fact that these cannon’s are visibly poisoning everyone with their nauseous fumes and toxic waste, most people seem content with their lives.
The men look after the heavy machinery, the women work in factories manufacturing the cannon ammo and the children are in school practising how to calculate the trajectory of said cannons.

It’s only when we are shown a day in the life each family member that the true depressing reality of such a situation becomes blatantly apparent.

‘Cannon Fodder’ is an extremely symbolic feature and no doubt bares an obvious comparison to many horrible wars we, as the human race, have been subjected to in the past.

Take for example the father of ‘the family’. Frightened and no doubt powerless to prevent his fate, he goes to work every day scared that it could be his last. He is not even sure why he has to fight and yet, he still manages to get himself up and out to work, probably just because it’s ‘the right thing to do’. Sound familiar?

In some ways, Cannon Fodder is also a tribute to the innocence of children. Despite living in the middle of a violent war, the imagination of a child cannot be suppressed; and indeed, even in such violent times, a child can still enjoy their dreams.

Looking at the other aspects of this short; the animation and character design used is extremely original and rather unsettling. The people who inhabit this giant, mechanical city all look incredibly unhealthy and war-torn, with missing teeth and discoloured skin aplenty.

Katsuhiro Otomo’s obvious infatuation with Victorian-era industrial technology is clear for all to see in Cannon Fodder, with careful love and care being injected into every giant mechanical cog and hydraulic pump.

Cannon Fodder is a realistic meditation on humanities infatuation with war. It’s not something that you’ll want to re-watch time and time again, yet it’s the type of story that will no doubt leave you with a strong impression.

Summary

I really enjoyed Memories, despite the obvious technical beauty of the animation; the 3 separate stories stand up well to Otomo’s mammoth reputation as a master of anime and indeed, film itself.

Both ‘Stink Bomb’ and ‘Cannon Fodder’ were very good, but the outstanding story here is undoubtedly ‘Magnetic Rose’. Part sci-fi drama and part horror, it’s one of the most interesting and just plain excellent anime features I’ve come across this year.

Memories is highly recommended, if just for the ‘Magnetic Rose’ feature.