#ik it was filmed during the same day as the previous ep

[hyunpic]

HYUNJIN | SKZ-CODE EP. 60 - FALL FIELD DAY

[awkwardanime]

Awkward Anime Episode 10: Tokyo Godfathers

Throughout his film-making career, Satoshi Kon created and produced some of the most story compelling animated features in the late 90s and early 2000s. Tokyo Godfathers, the 2003 92 minute film, showed to Kon’s homeland that holiday specials do not have to be romance orientated where presents are handed to loved ones and ends with a kiss by the tree. The well renowned director, who’s untimely passing in 2010 still resonates with his fans, transcended with this one animation what it means to be homeless. This animation expressed, to me, a message not about the difficulties of living life, but rather the life that we all strive to live in.

Throughout this movie, there are many themes thrown in to create a dark yet not over-the-top feel, with mafia mobs and the portrayal of mental health subtly presented to the audience. Subtlety a word that is fitting to the personality that was Satoshi Kon. At the heart of this gritty yet somehow family feel film, there are 3 people without a home who find a newborn stranded and what follows is a race to find the young one’s parents and reunite them. The look, delivery and writing of these main characters are what transformed a good premise, into a fantastic story.

The typical “dysfunctional family” trope could be criticised here, but I never once was bored during this feature. The creator, when being interviewed throughout the promotion, always made sure to state that he “idealised” these characters and that “the story comes first, actors second.” He always believed in his thoughts and ideas, never once backing out of a project he believed in.The theme which is brought up in many anime movies that I have seen, is also present here. The use of a Pseudo Family.

“I took pieces of people who I have met and put the pieces together to create them [The Characters]”

Animated features developed in Japan always seem to spread this message across the different directors, the message of how one’s parent or sibling do not need to be blood related. Satoshi Kon decided to create these challenging characters out on the street to give the story that kick. Although, his intention to make them homeless or not did not alter his thoughts towards the story. Why? Because this story can happen to anyone. Me and you could find a toddler or lost child tomorrow. Who knows? The homelessness in this film is done so perfectly that you connect so well with the personalities of each that you completely forget and honestly not care that they are homeless. I feel this is what Kon wanted to get across in his home country at a time when there were no homeless protagonists headlining projects.

“People say animation has limitless potential”

Kon desired that his art style was kept the same but with the centre pieces to be even more bold than his previous works as a Christmas movie really requires that spark in its visuals, and with the setting here being a damp, dark bustling city, the extra dedication is needed. As told by the Art Director Nobutaka Ike: “The Director wanted as many details as possible in this movie.”

This movie is so gritty and realistic but not too much, as in it never goes over the top and into that territory of dark and creepy. Full of small ties that we as viewers realise as the film rolls on, showing the significant coincidences and emphasising the story of miracles, family, love and forgiveness.

The only downside I could possibly bring up is that was there too much? Even then, that full on adventure feel to the movie is what Satoshi Kon worked so hard on to entertain us with his comedy and light hearted grittiness. This project was not a box office hit. In fact it lost much money for the distributor companies. Sometimes the quick poster that we see as we walk past billboards and advertisements we will come to regret later on, and this movie falls into that category of “I don’t know why I hadn’t seen this movie until now”.

There is no villain. No antagonist. In fact when Hana, Gin and Miyuki find who they believe to be the Mother of the child and reunite the two, it becomes clear that this woman who kidnapped this child from the true parents is just a regular woman, struggling with the circumstances, leaving her lonely and battling with her mental health. Funny isn’t it? How my description of the supposed “villain” of this story can perfectly fit anyone on this planet?

Just a regular, struggling with circumstances, left lonely and battling mental health.

What Satoshi Kon put out to the world here is a different side to him but within his usual realm of light hearted reality. A film full of Christmas miracles, this is truly one of the best animated stories out there, and is a perfect watch for everyone. Mr. Kon’s works that he left behind, truly shows us the calm, sophisticated man he was, but just like his movies, it had that oh so subtle smile. Rest well Satoshi Kon

When asked how he spent his Christmas days, he replied “Usually, I’m drinking with friends or family.”

He truly believed that animation has limitless potential and that drawn out stories do not simply have to be over the top slapstick. Dramas can be done and done well. His vision of animation being at the forefront in all genres gets closer to being fulfilled each and every day with marvelous pieces of animation from both the west and indeed in Japan being brought to mainstream attention.

“I want more and more artists to create unique stories in animation”

Thank you for everything Mr.Kon, your work has touched mine and millions of others hearts more than you’ll ever know. Thank you. Merry Christmas

Please share if you enjoyed this analysis and remember to eat those tiny trees!

Check out previous Eps:

Ep 9 - Garden of Words

Ep 8 - Kimi No Na Wa

Ep 7 - The Boy and the Beast

Ep 6.2 - Fading innocence of Ame

Ep 6.1 - Wolf Children Poster

Ep 5 - My Neighbor Totoro

Ep 4 - Summer Wars

Ep 3 - Spirited Away

Ep 2 - Koe no Katachi