As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s spent countless hours immersed in various worlds and time periods, I must say that these short films truly embody the spirit of anime in all its diversity and depth. From the historical significance of Kobu-tori to the thought-provoking themes in Beyond, each of these films offers a unique perspective on life, love, and the human condition.
In simpler terms, a short film is generally considered any movie that lasts 40 minutes or less, although technically it can be any length. However, if a feature film is too brief to qualify as a full-length movie, it’s also classified as a short film. Anime often showcases experimental or unusual films and offers a rich selection in this category.
There’s no lack of anime that fall into this category. From the early days of anime, a diverse range of short films were produced, making it challenging to pick the best. Compilations of these short anime series under one title or labeled as Original Video Animation (OVA) are also prevalent, and there are numerous undiscovered treasures to discover.
12 Labyrinth Labyrinthos
The First Of The Neo Tokyo Anthology
- Studio: Madhouse and Project Team Argos
- Runtime: 12 minutes
- Release Year: 1987
The title “Labyrinth Tales” fits this short film perfectly since it portrays the theme and layout of the movie. In this context, the labyrinth represents the mind of a young girl who is playing hide-and-seek with her cat named Cicerone. The movie’s sequences depict her visions, which include a dangerous car race and a country overly reliant on technology.
The movie had a successful debut at the Tōkyō International Fantastic Film Festival when it was first released, and over time, it has proven its worth. In 2021, Paste magazine ranked it as the 10th best anime film ever made in their “Top 100 Anime Movies of All-Time” list. Since then, it has sparked a vast collection of dystopian sci-fi and avant-garde films.
11 The House Of Small Cubes
A Unique Animation Style
- Studio: Oh! Production
- Runtime: 12 Minutes
- Release Year: 2008
If you’re having trouble locating details about this brief film using its English title, consider searching for it in French: “La Maison en Petits Cubes“. This movie is a remarkable find, boasting an impressive seven awards, including the 2009 Academy Award for Best Short Film. It also offers a distinctive artistic style and thought-provoking narrative.
In this narrative, the central figure is an elderly man, seemingly the last of his kin, who resides in a dwelling partially submerged by water on its lower levels. One eventful day, he loses his cherished pipe in the lower chambers, prompting him to search for it. This quest leads him through older sections of the house, reaching as far down as the ground floor, which was built prior to the flooding. The storyline not only unfolds his past but also sheds light on the world’s history as water gradually swallowed larger areas.
10 The Sensualist
A Different Kind Of Erotica
- Studio: Grouper Productions
- Runtime: 55 minutes
- Release Year: 1991
The movie, titled “The Sensualist,” essentially tells the sexual story of its main character, from his childhood through to maturity and adulthood. This film is frequently perceived as an erotic work of art or experimental anime, distinct from pornography or “hentai.” It includes thoughtful scenes that delve into themes such as life, aging, and physical attractiveness.
The animated film is adapted from the 1682 book “The Life of an Amorous Man,” penned by Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko, set in the Edo Period. The animation immerses viewers in a luxurious and sensual atmosphere using historical settings. The focus lies less on explicit scenes and more on the captivating movement of elaborate kimonos, with symbolic representations of intimacy subtly conveyed throughout.
9 Mon Mon The Water Spider
A Short Story With A Small Hero
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Runtime: 15 minutes
- Release Year: 2006
Under the title Mizugumo Monmon in Japanese, this story revolves around an enchanting tale of a water spider named Mon Mon who develops feelings for a captivating yet perilous water strider. The reason for his fascination lies in the fact that she inhabits a world entirely distinct from his own, submerged beneath the water’s surface.
The brief movie spans approximately 50 minutes and derives inspiration from an initial concept by Hayao Miyazaki, which centered around a caterpillar. This is one of the shorts that enthusiasts can watch at the Studio Ghibli-themed amusement park located in Japan.
8 Program
Episode 5 Of The Animatrix
- Studio: Madhouse
- Runtime: 7 minutes
- Release Year: 2003
“The Program” is among the short films that are part of the collection known as “The Animatrix”. While it can be watched independently, understanding it better requires familiarity with the universe of “The Matrix”. The animation style is distinctive, contemporary, and intended to resemble an enhanced version of reality. It employs a limited color palette, instead relying on its innovative concept, as a program within the Matrix.
In contrast to other tales within this series, the audience is consistently informed that the events are unfolding within a simulated environment. However, the specifics of this simulation remain enigmatic until the climactic scenes. The narrative echoes the original film by introducing a traitor within the group and hinting that potential threats may originate from unexpected sources – much like the famous line “the call is coming from inside the house.
7 Cat Soup
Abstract Animated Comedy/Horror
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Runtime: 34 minutes
- Release Year: 2001
This “unconventional movie” is renowned for its disturbing animated aesthetic and overall layout. It initiates with a youthful, cat-like character nearly submerged in a bathtub and only becomes stranger and more unsettling as it progresses.
The protagonist, Nyata, is the individual who nearly drowned and must traverse a frightening and dreamlike landscape in order to recover the missing half of his sister Nyaako’s spirit. Their journey isn’t filled with vibrant, whimsical amusement, but it certainly keeps things intriguing. For anime enthusiasts who appreciate boldness and originality, the short film “Cat Soup” is an excellent choice.
6 Inaka Isha (A Country Doctor)
A Different Kind Of Literary Adaptation
- Studio: MovieImagica and Yamamura Animation, Inc
- Runtime: 21 minutes
- Release Year: 2007
The movie offers a creative portrayal of “A Country Doctor” by Franz Kafka, compressing a heavy dose of grim, dreamlike drama into just 21 minutes. This film delves deeply into the gloomy and frequently unyielding responsibilities that doctors face daily.
The movie employs a blend of horror and fantasy visuals, yet delivers a realistic message, ultimately ending in despair and disillusionment. It garnered several accolades, including the 2007 Grand Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Regrettably, due to its complex subject matter and brief duration, it remains relatively unknown among anime enthusiasts.
5 The Garden Of Words
Profound And Visually Stunning
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Runtime: 46 minutes
- Release Year: 2013
Viewers can discover the animated film “The Garden Of Words” by using search phrases such as “piano-based music,” “soothing rain sounds,” or “creative shoe designs,” along with some of the most highly regarded anime from its era. In the same year it was released, it received accolades at both the Stuttgart Animated Film Festival and the Fantasia International Film Festival, ultimately winning the Kobe Theatrical Film Award.
The story follows a straightforward, everyday theme, focusing on the life of Takao Akizuki, who frequently skips uninteresting lectures to craft shoes in a garden pavilion instead. A like-minded individual, with similar doubts about her occupation, becomes his companion. Through their journey, they confront and conquer their apprehensions regarding life, which is symbolically depicted as the process of learning to walk again.
4 Blade Runner: Black Out 2022
A Prequel To Bladerunner 2049
- Studio: Cygames Pictures
- Runtime: 15 minutes
- Release Year: 2017
Many individuals believe that only two films make up the Blade Runner series, but there are actually five movies in total. These include three short films which expand on the storyline between the main films, and one of these is the animated production known as Black Out 2022.
In this brief animated film, we follow the narrative of a power outage, an event hinted at in the feature-length movie where all digital data was erased. This incident is frequently mentioned in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and transpired a decade before the live-action feature film. The creative mind behind this production is Shinichiro Watanabe, who is also known for producing works like ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and ‘Macross Plus’.
3 Someone’s Gaze
A Coming-Of-Age Story
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Runtime: 7 minutes
- Release Year: February 10, 2013
The story revolves around a typical family dynamic, narrated from the perspective of an elderly house cat named Mii, who spends time with Dad while daughter Aya is busy at work or living in her separate apartment, and Mom is working abroad. Through flashbacks, we see how various events and the passing of time have both separated and reunited this family, ultimately strengthening their bonds.
Title of the movie is also “Someone’s Gaze” and it contains both joyful and melancholic scenes, much like any family does. The film explores two significant themes – family ties and future, which are relatable to almost everyone. The deeply moving scenes in the movie make it quite an emotional rollercoaster, so consider watching it with a friend and having some tissues at hand.
2 Kobu-tori (The Stolen Lump)
An Early Example Of Animation
- Studio: Yokohama Cinema Shokai
- Runtime: 10 minutes
- Release Year: 1929
One classic animation with multiple English titles, often referred to as “Kobu-tori,” can be more easily found by searching for its original Japanese name. Although earlier versions of this well-known tale in animated and illustrated formats exist, this particular one comes closest to the style of modern anime that viewers are accustomed to today.
The narrative derives from an ancient Japanese folktale involving an old man afflicted by a growth on his face. In search of aid, he seeks assistance from the mystical beings residing in a neighboring mountain. Despite its brevity, lasting just 10 minutes, this piece is crucial for anyone delving into animation history.
1 Beyond
- Studio: Studio 4 °C
- Runtime: 13 minutes
- Release Year: 2003
This brief anime movie concludes the narrative loop that originated with another tale about a girl and her feline companion. It’s one of the stories in the Animatrix collection and is set within the Matrix universe’s mythos, but it employs an entirely distinct aesthetic compared to the Program, featuring a unique design and style.
An appropriate title for this brief anime could be “Beyond the Norm of Reality,” as it more accurately reflects the content. The narrative follows a young girl venturing into a peculiar dwelling where the usual rules of physics appear to be absent, a common thread in concise anime productions. Kōji Morimoto is the director, drawing inspiration from the short anime “Labyrinth Labyrinthos,” another one of his works.
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2024-11-21 17:55