Anime now

A huge number of anime films are screened around the world each year and while it was once imagined that anime was only for kids, it is now featured in many magazines aimed at adults.

 Tekkon Kinkreet
The film 'Tekkon Kinkreet' is based on a comic first published more than 10 years ago and is now ranked among the perennial favorites of a generation - moving many adults to tears with its storylines and plots. Michael Arias, the director of 'Tekkon Kinkreet' as well as 'Animatrix' was once one of those fans.

More often than not, comics or novels adapted for the screen tend to disappoint rather than impress - in large part as they fail to live up to the original. 'Tekkon Kinkreet,' however, DOES succeed DOES NOT fail in its quest and is recommended viewing for any fan of the original comic version. This is in part as a result of the unique talents and imagery of original manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto in successfully realizing the combination of 3D computer graphics (3DCG) with hand-drawn images. The film itself is lively with a great sense of boundless energy permeating each scene - not unlike films shot using hand held video cameras. The main 'heroes,' 'Kuro' and 'Shiro' exist in the fictional town of Takaramachi.

The date setting and background of the piece itself is never made clear as the boys can somehow fly through the air. That said, certain details in the town itself lead audiences to believe the boys are somewhere in Japan; the appearance of the town in the comic version was far less realistic. Consider yourself what you see lurking in the shadows and light of Takaramachi. Does it reflect the ups and downs in your own life?

 Evangelion
Although 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' started out as a kids show on weekday evenings, it caused such a phenomenon when it was later featured in newspapers that the impact it left on the current anime industry is now serving to lead the third so called 'anime boom' in Japan.

Eleven years after the original aired, Director Hideaki Anno, along with the staff at Studio 'Khara' has now decided to produce a new theatrical version of Evangelion but with this one serving as a form of entertainment for all ages of viewer. The new series will consist of 4 linked films with the first film set for release this September; the remaining trio to appear in 2008 - all under the new title of; 'Evangelion New Theatrical Version.' A number of new episodes as well as several new characters will appear in this partial 3DCG production. One to catch - one not to be missed.

 DARKER THAN BLACK
A proven link to 'reality' is vital in attracting adult audiences to anime but given that anime starts off life in a virtual world, how can it make audiences see and feel the similarities between the virtual and the real?

'DARKER THAN BLACK' is set to air in Japan from April and is set in Tokyo. The main character and hero of the piece, 'Hei' is a Chinese student who doubles as a spy; a non-Japanese hero reflecting the cosmopolitan city Tokyo has become. The product itself is 'shot' at a number of actual locations found in modern day Tokyo and thus works to link fact and fiction - reality and the virtual. Directed by Tensai Okamura, 'DARKER THAN BLACK' joins 'Memories' on this particular director's resume and is produced by the studio 'Bones' - creators of the 'Full Metal Alchemist' piece.

If you still doubt that anime has now moved up an age range, to end with mull over the fact that anime produced today usually finds itself aired late at night - not during kiddy primetime.

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