Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:12 am Post subject: Yasuhiro Yoshiura
For me, the appeal to Makoto Shinkai's work couldn't be defined simply. It isn't just his visuals (hell, even I can admit that sometimes his character designs could use some work and variations). It isn't just his stories, nor the music. If partly, it's how he puts it all together; how he uses his visuals to strengthen the moods his characters are in, how he uses quick scene shifts timed to the background music to somehow bring out nogastolia out of his viewers, and his deft touch on how to use sounds, music and silence to build tension. His movies also resonate with me long after I've seen them.
Well, now to turn to the director/animator who's name is in the title of this post: Yasuhiro Yoshiura
I've seen Yoshiura heralded as "the next Shinkai", and I do think that has some merit. Mainly in that Yoshiura is starting by doing the animating of all aspects of his shows. His work features strong visuals that really set the mood of his storylines. And like Shinkai's work, Yoshiura's work, especially Pale Cocoon really resonate with me long after I've watched them.
It's not as if Yoshiura is a clone of Shinkai, though. One major difference is that Yoshiura's work has more of a cerebral feel to it. They're not as gentle or emotional as Shinkai's films can be, but I do think that Yoshiura's work can also spark some major discussion and I'd like more people to see his work.
Well, now for the beef. Here's two films and a trailer for his next film:
The movie is only 23 miinutes long, but is plenty long enough to tell what it wants to tell. Yoshiura amazed me with this animation. The ending of this one gave me chills and goosebumps, and it is much clearer to me what this movie was about.
I've already ordered the R2 DVD for Pale Cocoon, which also includes Aquatic Language. If there's not going to be a U.S. release, I at least owe the original creator the honor of buying it direct from Japan. The R2 DVD does have English subs and I do have a region free player, so I'm good to go on that end...
And finally, the trailer of his next film, Eve no Jikan, or Time of Eve (I've also seen it titled "Are you enjoying time of EVE?"):
I think this one is out already, but I can't find a copy of the full movie anywhere yet. Hopefully, one leaks out or becomes available for me to buy at some point. Given the visuals and the general "mood" of the trailer, Eve no Jikan looks to be one that Shinkai fans might want to take a close look at.
I do think Yasuhiro Yoshiura deserves some more exposure for his work and that he is a new director to watch for in the future.
Very interesting. The worlds he creates are in no way beautiful like the ones Skinkai creates. They're gritty and real, whereas Shinkai's world is soft and dreamlike. I really liked Aquatic Language - it was extremely well put together. Pale Cocoon confused me a little, and when the final revelation came I found myself still trying to comprehend the events up to that point. But that's just me and I think more viewings of it will fix that. His new one looks interesting - I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
About the worlds he creates, I do agree with that to a degree; I'm not sure if I agree with "gritty and real" per say. For example, Pale Cocoon is about a cold world. The only real color are the archived pictures that the characters find.
And it's funny when you say "Shinkai's world", as that world if often taken almost directly from the real world.
Gotta run to work. Maybe I'll think of more later.
Pale Cocoon was in a way beautiful, the way it shows the coldness of being in that "world" in that future.
I liked the ending word, "blue", since they were in a place where they probably had never seen bright natural colours before as everything is dark and cold.
And it's funny when you say "Shinkai's world", as that world if often taken almost directly from the real world.
True, but he seems to find a beauty in the everyday "real world" things around us that I personally couldn't or wouldn't see. That's what I meant by his world - not some different dimension, but more the way he sees the world in which we live.
It's definitely a place I want to be - that's for sure. _________________ There are certain moments where some people should just be left unknown.
I'm not too fond of the music they used, but the animation style is pretty awesome. Great to see some Asimov influence in there, he's my fave Sci-Fi writer ^_^
I just love the part with the girls arguing about "my friend's friend said...".
Thanks for the link, Junpei! _________________ Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
Just an update on this, but the first episode of Eve no Jikan came a while back and it's really good. Really nice Asimov references in it (especially nice, since Yasuhiro Yoshiura encouraged me to read I, Robot from his earlier short, Mizu no Kotoba), and thoughtful (if a bit predictable) twist in plotline in this one.
It is a net-only release (think of it as an OAV, but in the modern sense), but only one 15 minute episode is being released every two months. There will be 6 episodes total.
It's short, but so far, oh so sweet.
UPDATE: Seems to be available on crunchyroll here.
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