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Anime
A selection of anime to excite enthusiasts and open the door to the uninitiated.
Japanese animation is the envy of the world. Maintaining it's hand drawn tradition whilst other countries have embraced computer generated works and ensuring that story is at the heart of each project, this is a collection of some great anime titles as part of our wider look at Japanese cinema. In Japan, anime isn't regarded as being a form only for family fare with mature themes and situations often included within the narrative. This initial selection of five titles brings together the distinctive voices of two significant directors of the form.
Ghost in the Shell and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence were directed by Mamoru Oshii and feature the cyberpunk sensibility that many people think of when they first think of anime. These masterly tales are set in the near future featuring cyborg and human characters. The Wachowskis have cited these works as influences on their own films.
Oscar nominated director Mamoru Hosoda is the author of the other three titles in this collection. His films are as thematically rich as Oshii's are but are nearer in tone to the Studio Ghibli school of filmmaking. Here, we play Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and a favourite from the BFI London Film Festival, Wolf Children. Hosoda's films are beautifully created pieces that deals with a multitude of different themes that often touch on the fantastic such as time travel and advanced virtual reality.
Summer WarsSummer Wars
Science Fiction2009115 minsDirector: Mamoru Hosoda
A student sets in motion a series of events that could result in the earth colliding with the parallel world.
The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeThe Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Animation & Artists Moving Image2006100 minsDirector: Mamoru Hosoda
Breathtaking, multi-award-winning feature about a girl with a special power… Makoto Konno's life changes after a brush with death, when she discovers she has the ability to jump backwards in time.
Wolf ChildrenWolf Children
Animation & Artists Moving Image2013118 minsDirector: Mamoru Hosoda
Single mother Hana must bring up her wolf children away from the prying eyes of the neighbours in this stunning anime.
Ghost in the ShellGhost in the Shell
Animation & Artists Moving Image199583 minsDirector: Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii's beautifully animated and disturbingly prophetic anime classic about the hunt for a supreme hacker in a transhumanist dystopia.
Ghost in the Shell 2: InnocenceGhost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Animation & Artists Moving Image2004100 minsDirector: Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii's stunning sequel to the 1995 anime classic explores issues around identity, existence and what exactly defines our humanity.