The Japanese animation film

The Japanese animation film

Sunday, 14 February 2010 14:00

Author: Nanami

At the dawn of the movie Sword of the Stranger in our rooms and a few months after that of Ponyo on the last Myazaki, it seems clear that long-animated films from Japan are now entrenched among us. But does this always been the case? What other films had the honor to leave room in here?

The French otaku have really nothing to stress. True, they were all very easy because the mangas now doing very well, which means that many series out on dvd and the big movies will output movies. But the manga has not always been fashionable, far from it, which does not allow long to be visible in dark rooms. Apart from a few lucky as Lupine III or Puss in Boots, you can not really say that there have been exits worthy of that name in years 70 and 80. Except perhaps in Goldorak 79, who had the chance to benefit from the success of the series, facilitating its access to rooms. But otherwise it is virtually flat calm, most movies coming out directly vhs in our country for most of the less fortunate ... In fact, it was in 1991 that really all starts with the release of a of the most cult films ever: Akira.
Although helped by a successful bookstore flattering and echoes from other countries (especially Germany, where the film went very well), the film adaptation of the manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, also director of the film, landed so here. Not necessarily in many venues since early will be entitled to two rooms in Paris. But these two rooms will be fully booked, and this very quickly. We approach the 40 000 entries, while the press is not much of this output, which will enable Akira ironing regularly at festivals and conventions. What is certain is that without Akira, a shoveled other films would probably not come out to the movies. Otomo thank you, thank you Akira, then. Second film having its importance in the evolution of style from us, and a little more forgotten Akira, the very successful Porco Rosso. If one of the most movies "in hand" Miyazaki, the story of aviator pig nonetheless very good and also had the honor of a cinema release. It was not easy because of travel to Japan with several non-specialist journalists were necessary, just to meet the master Hayao. Trips that otherwise do not much débloquèrent situation and flying pig will have to wait a little. In 1992, the movie was a big hit in Japan (like all Miyazaki, actually), which allows it to pass, with other works director, the festival in Annecy 93. The reaction of journalists is very good, between surprise and enthusiasm, allowing the film released in 1995, two years later. The film can play on two tables, namely movies and the popular authors, it seems a laudable enterprise. But now, prejudices about Japanese cartoons have a sharp tongue and the public does not now. Even if success was not immediate, Porco Rosso had a career durable enough anyway, regularly distributed in various conventions like Akira in his time.

Even more fortunate are Goku, Vegeta and the other at the exit of Dragon Ball Z Movie. As a reminder, this film is actually a combination of two short films released in Japan some time ago, namely the one with Janemba first, followed by one with Tapion and Hildegarn. A small fripouillerie that people do not really notice since moving mass, which falls well as 110 copies are provided throughout France. The series has been as successful as we know it is not surprising to learn that the success was enormous. Nevertheless, the film did not stay long in theaters, with still time to be seen by 450 000 people, which is roughly the same score as Goldorak in the 70s. But now, fashion DBZ password, like all fashions. So,
the second film (which for once assembled films The Return of Broly and Bio-Broly), which comes one year after the first, did not receive the same favors. 150 000 entries recorded, which is not bad but far less impressive than the numbers first. The movie Sailor Moon will not work better, counting only 17 000 entries. But beside these films came out as purely commercial films and most successful yet unenviable fate. Grave of the Fireflies, for example. If the film is now considered a classic, it was not even then. Do outbound departure in two rooms, he was snubbed by the critics unconvinced (probably biased, still). It must be said that the film is distributed by small publishers who do not have the means to finance a French dubbing (which would of course be reduced over the world). Grave of the Fireflies is entitled to 40 000 entries, which is fairly respectable given the handicap of the language. The early recognition of esteem will come later, with two more adult movies: Ghost in the Shell and Perfect Blue. The press welcomes both films but with joy, as might be expected, the public does not really follow, which is hardly surprising given by the subjects addressed by the two films. More surprisingly cons, Perfect Blue is a better score (80 000) as Ghost in the Shell (40 000) while Oshii's film is more popular and well known than the Kon otakus current. A few weeks later landed Jin-Roh, distributors leaving the big French game (coming director, tour in France). And if the beginnings are encouraging, particularly with the criticism that is becoming increasingly convinced of the genre, it falls quickly thereafter to reach 50 000 entries, is also handicapped by a VO. More fortunate is My Neighbor Totoro, Miyazaki, who nevertheless was a chaotic course. First aired on Canal + and then released on VHS, the film has finally been entitled to its theatrical release in 1999. A choice made on the success of Kirikou and the Sorceress, distributors saying that Totoro can do as well. Unfortunately, the big cat does not fight the little guy even if Africa did an excellent score with 250 000 entries throughout France.

A bearing is still turned a little later with the release of Princess Mononoke. However, this does not necessarily go away because he was very much fear that the work is distorted by Disney, which came to acquire the rights. The film was also postponed without forbear to finally be released in few theaters, fueling some speculation. But the film actually arrived in theaters, to the delight of all. Unfortunately, he was especially entitled to rooms "of art and essays," G forces. The home is still very good, albeit mainly Miyazaki is welcomed more than japanimation. Still, the film will be a great success and that additional copies are requested, bringing the score to 420 000 entries. Shortly after fate Spirited Away in Japan, which also makes it a hit (more than deserved, by the way), a good reputation coming to European ears. History prepares the ground the distributor GBVI spring Mononoke, which is 40 more than 000 entries. Then Chihiro finally released from some festivals in preview, winning the Golden Bear at Berlin Film Festival. And it goes without saying that lucky since Chihiro is a triumph. Outgoing already three times more rooms than Mononoke, the film still in theaters in some cinemas in Paris for over a year and collects no less than 1 380 000 entries! History advantage of the craze for Miyazaki, we resort Castle in the Sky (released in Japan in 1986) attempting to impersonate a novelty. Still, the results are very good, without reaching those exceptional Chihiro, with 835 000 entries.

But there is another film that will put everyone on the fine, which we do not necessarily think at first: the Pokemon movie. And yes, the band Pikachu and another 150 (at the time, they were less numerous than now) will make a real havoc, predictable considering the success of the series. Coming out in many rooms and enjoying a good promotion (same maps are available to first viewers), the film will total nearly 2.5 million admissions. History of strike while the iron is hot, you leave quickly done well the second film the following year. Just like Dragon Ball Z in his time, more is less effective but still gets a score of one million spectators. The phenomenon is dead for the release of the third film will happen therefore more confidence and bring back only 160 000 pokéfans in theaters. Digimon The movie will most likely not quite the contrary. Mixing between the two films released in Japan, changing situations and music, film n'engrange than 90 000 spectators.

Since then, we can not say that movies released on the screens have benefited from incredible success. Metropolis will not bring such that 120 000 admissions, which is still higher than the results of films of the same category as Jin-Roh. Other films such as Cowboy Bebop, Steamboy, Tokyo Godfathers Paprika or go out too, without much success. Even adaptations of popular franchises are out of favor, as evidenced by the discrete output of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Film. Some big hits such as Naruto or One Piece does not come out, waiting patiently for their moment the dvd. But the genre is no longer singled out as before, partly due to Myazaki, but he has something of a UFO in all this as an exception. If the public has accepted that it was a great artist, he does not yet seem ready to give chance to other talents of Japanese animation ...