Oshii, Mamoru

Ghost in the Shell

The skillful blending of drawn animation and computer-generated imagery excited anime fans when this science fiction mystery was released in 1995: many enthusiasts believe Ghost suggests what the future of anime will be, at least in the short term. The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when an unnamed government uses lifelike cyborgs or "enhanced" humans for undercover work. One of the key cyborgs is The Major, Motoko Kusanagi, who resembles a cross between The Terminator and a Playboy centerfold. She finds herself caught up in a tangled web of espionage and counterespionage as she searches for the mysterious superhacker known as "The Puppet Master."

Mamoru Oshii directs with a staccato rhythm, alternating sequences of rapid-fire action (car chases, gun battles, explosions) with static dialogue scenes that allow the characters to sort out the vaguely mystical and rather convoluted plot. Kusanagi's final quote from I Corinthians suggests that electronic evolution may compliment and eventually supplant organic evolution. The minor nudity, profanity, and considerable violence would earn Ghost in the Shell at least a PG rating. --Charles Solomon

Ghost in the Shell 2 - Innocence

Mamoru Oshii's landmark Ghost in the Shell (1995) largely defined the cyberpunk genre and influenced the Matrix films in the U.S. The long-awaited sequel continues the adventures of Batou, Major Kusanagi's former assistant, who was left behind when she disappeared into the cyber-realm of the Net. With his new human partner, Togusa, Batou investigates a series of bloody murders involving gynoids, robots with sexual functions. The case leads them to the headquarters of the Locus Solus company, where Batou uncovers the evil secret behind the creation of the gynoids. Innocence includes some staggeringly beautiful CG images, especially a parade depicting characters from Chinese mythology. Oshii contrasts this glittering beauty with a Blade Runner-esque dystopia. But even his skill as a director can't disguise the fact that the underdeveloped story and flat characters are far less interesting than the opulent visuals. (Rated PG-13: graphic violence, violence against women, brief nudity, profanity, alcohol and tobacco use.) --Charles Solomon

Ghost in the Shell (Special Edition)

The skillful blending of drawn animation and computer-generated imagery excited anime fans when this science fiction mystery was released in 1995: many enthusiasts believe Ghost suggests what the future of anime will be, at least in the short term. The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when an unnamed government uses lifelike cyborgs or "enhanced" humans for undercover work. One of the key cyborgs is The Major, Motoko Kusanagi, who resembles a cross between The Terminator and a Playboy centerfold. She finds herself caught up in a tangled web of espionage and counterespionage as she searches for the mysterious superhacker known as "The Puppet Master."

Mamoru Oshii directs with a staccato rhythm, alternating sequences of rapid-fire action (car chases, gun battles, explosions) with static dialogue scenes that allow the characters to sort out the vaguely mystical and rather convoluted plot. Kusanagi's final quote from I Corinthians suggests that electronic evolution may compliment and eventually supplant organic evolution. The minor nudity, profanity, and considerable violence would earn Ghost in the Shell at least a PG rating. --Charles Solomon

Avalon

Occupying a hazardous fantasy war zone located somewhere between David Cronenberg's eXistenZ and the Matrix trilogy, Mamoru Oshii's Avalon is a must-see entry in the subgenre of virtual-reality thrillers. Combining live-action set in a dystopian near future (filmed in Poland) and digital imagery set within a state-sponsored virtual combat game called Avalon, this sluggishly paced but visually dazzling film is another brain-teaser from the director of Ghost in the Shell. The action focuses on a maverick Avalon ace named Ash (played by the lovely Polish actress Malgorzata Foremniak) who advances to the game's highest and most mysterious level, "Class Real," a virtual world so authentically convincing that some--called "the Unreturned"--choose never to leave it. As with the Matrix trilogy, Avalon is more intriguing in premise than execution, filled with hushed tones and heavy-handed portent. Still, the amber-hued ruins of Oshii's virtual landscape are oddly alluring as a means of escape--a warning from Oshii, perhaps, that even the most exciting virtual reality is a trap that can prove deadly to those who fall into it willingly. --Jeff Shannon

From Mamoru Oshii, the acclaimed director of GHOST IN THE SHELL, AVALON is a mesmerizing sci-fi thriller with explosive action and state-of-the-art visual effects in the stunning style of THE MATRIX! In the not-so-distant future, desperate young people risk everything to play "Avalon" -- an illegal and potentially lethal virtual war game where addicted combatants earn points and wealth. For one of the game's greatest warriors, the "noble soldier" Ash, the search for Avalon's legendary game stage Class Real will either lead to an entirely higher level of existence -- or be a journey from which she will never return! With awe-inspiring visuals and an intriguing futuristic story, lose yourself in the excitement of this amazing cinematic adventure!

Patlabor 2 - The Movie

Labors are giant construction robots piloted by humans, and the Patlabor team is a mobile police force whose job is to protect the population from people who might hijack or sabotage these powerful tools. Though events of the first movie called Labor technology into question, the needs of big business outweighed the concerns of citizens, and eventually they came back into common use. The military had also begun to adopt and adapt the technology, amidst some controversy. The story picks up with a terrorist attack on a Tokyo city bridge. The suspects include Americans who want to destabilize the Japanese government, corrupt forces within the Japanese government who want to increase military spending, and Tsuge, the genius of labor technology who was misused by the government three years prior. The animation is gorgeous, particularly the cityscapes and long shots, but that's not surprising coming from director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). Sparkling animation would mean very little without a good story or good characters, which Patlabor 2 has in spades. At the core of the story is a quiet dialogue about the nature of peace in post-WWII Japan--how the peace has been unjust because they've ignored poverty-stricken countries in times of prosperity. Then it's back to unraveling the conspiracy and the requisite action-packed ending. These Patlabor movies are excellent, and not just for fans of anime. --Andy Spletzer

The neglected masterpiece of internationally-acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii and one of the finest Anime films ever made Patlabor 2 is completely remastered for this DVD edition. This disc features enhanced visuals together with new Dolby 5.1 surround sound for both English and Japanese. Additional ancillary materials included on the DVD were not available at press time.Set three years after the first film Patlabor 2 draws police commanders Ki'ichi Gotoh and Shinobu Nagumo into the hunt for Tsuge a rogue officer of the Japan Self-Defense Force connected with an escalating wave of terrorist attacks. But the investigation into the plot is guarded by secrets both personal and political as the awakening fear of terror in Tokyo is slowly answered by the dream-like fade of democracy into martial law. Ominous beautiful suspenseful and poetic Patlabor 2 deserves the term visionary in every sense of the word.Tokyo rush hour: the dead of winter. A terror strike from the air shatters the Bay Bridge. When news footage shows an unidentified F-16 fighter jet in the vicinity the investigation takes a darker turn as the cops of the Second Unit begin to trace the outlines of the shadowy military and political coalition behind the incident. But the conspiracy itself is out of control and what began as a gesture is becoming a game where the peace the freedom and the very lives of the people of Tokyo are at stake!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN Rating: NR UPC: 858604001035 Manufacturer No: BUDH0103DVD

Patlabor: The Movie

This stylish science fiction detective story bears the stamp of director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). "Labors" are gigantic robots used for everything from construction work to law enforcement, but a massive land reclamation project in Tokyo Bay is threatened by robots going on unexplained rampages.

Patlabor cops Noah Izumi and Azuma Shinohara are called in to investigate, and soon find themselves trying to decipher the apocalyptic visions of E. Hoba, who wrote the operating system for the Labor robots and then committed suicide. Hoba introduced a virus into the software that could affect robots all over world and cause unparalleled destruction. In abandoned slum apartments and high-tech construction sites, he left clues about what he was doing--and why. But are Noah, Azuma, and their friends clever enough to second-guess a genius? And will their superior officers accept their conclusions?

The first Patlabor feature has a darker tone and look than the previous OVA series. Oshii assumes the viewer already knows the characters, and doesn't bother introducing them. But this powerful tale of the dangers of over-reliance on technology is far superior to ordinary mecha features. The recent attacks of powerful computer viruses give the story an added relevance. (Unrated; suitable for ages 10 and older: occasional profanity and robot vs. robot violence.) --Charles Solomon

From critically-acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) At the dawn of the millennium in Tokyo advanced robotic vehicles called Labors are heavily relied upon to build fortifications to project Japan from global rising sea levels. A maverick team from the Metropolitan Police led by Noa Izumi and Azuma Shinohara uncover a devilish scheme to infect Tokyo's 8000 Labors with the BABEL virus. As a powerful typhoon approaches Tokyo and the apocalyptic vision of a dead man begins the team must locate and destroy the source of the virus the giant Babylon Project Tower in the heart of Tokyo Bay before 8000 Labors go berserk! System Requirements:Running Time 100 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN Rating: NR UPC: 858604001011 Manufacturer No: BUDH0101DVD

Urusei Yatsura, TV Series 2 (Episodes 5-8)

Ever since the lovely alien Lum arrived and decided the lecherous Ataru Moroboshi was her "darling," life at Tomobiki High has been in a shambles. When she gets angry at his attempted infidelities, she zaps him with lightning bolts; when she's pleased, he gets an equally powerful jolt. Shinobu, whom Ataru considers his girlfriend, is permanently furious with him. The girls' combined tempers reduce the town to rubble, enraging the neighbors and leading Ataru's mother to conclude, "I never should have had him." In "Black Hole Love Triangle," the trio racks up 3 billion yen in damages; a voodoo doll of Ataru has him flying over buildings--and into Shinobu's bath in "Electric Shocks Scare Me!" Urusei Yatsura ("Those Obnoxious Aliens") may rank as Rumiko Takahashi's broadest comedy--Ataru's misadventures make Ranma Saotomi look downright dignified. (Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and older: Risqué humor and brief nudity) --Charles Solomon

Urusei Yatsura - Movie 2 - Beautiful Dreamer (Collector's Series)

Originally released in 1984, the second Urusei Yatsura feature offers characters created by Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2) and a screenplay and direction by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). As the perpetually lecherous Ataru and his friends prepare for a carnival at Tomobiki High School, they gradually realize the days are literally repeating themselves. Any effort to break the pattern dumps them back where they started. They later discover their town has been reduced to a circle of land a few miles across, poised on the back of a gigantic sea turtle--a reference to "Urushima Taro," a Japanese Rip Van Winkle story. Takahashi and Oshii weave elements from other Japanese folk tales into their science fiction adventure. Although she's described as an alien princess, Lum has many of the attributes of an oni (demon), including horns, the ability to fly, and a tiger-skin costume (although hers is a bikini). The character designs reflect an interesting moment in animation history, when the influence of Western TV shows was giving way to the familiar anime style. Lum has large eyes and long viridian green tresses, but Ataru and his pals sport more Caucasian-looking hair and features. Unfortunately, the good-natured story runs out of steam after about an hour, and the film falters to a conclusion in an annoying series of false endings. Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and up: minor nudity, profanity, and cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Patlabor - The Movie (Limited Edition)

This stylish science fiction detective story bears the stamp of Mamoru Oshii, who would later direct Ghost in the Shell. Labors are gigantic robots used for everything from construction work to law enforcement, but a massive land-reclamation project in Tokyo Bay is threatened by robots going on unexplained rampages. Patlabor cops Noah Izumi and Azuma Shinohara are called in to investigate, and soon find themselves trying to decipher the apocalyptic visions of E. Hoba, who wrote the operating system for the Labor robots, then committed suicide. Hoba introduced a virus into the software that could affect robots all over world and cause unparalleled destruction. In abandoned slum apartments and high-tech construction sites, he left clues about what he was doing--and why. But are Noah, Azuma, and their friends clever enough to second-guess a genius? And will their superiors accept their conclusions? The first Patlabor feature has a darker tone than the previous OVA series, which Oshii also directed. A powerful tale of the dangers of overreliance on technology, Patlabor is far superior to ordinary mecha features.

The two books and two discs in the Limited Edition offer a model for this kind of package. The "extras" disc contains an interview with Masami Yuuki, who created the original manga, and various making-of features, including the rerecording of the film with the original cast nine years after its premiere--to take advantage of Dolby Digital technology. Oshii's storyboards have been reprinted and translated, including the dialogue and director's notes on the animation, character expressions, and camera movements. A second book presents interviews with Oshii and other artists, as well as character sketches. Of particular interest are the reference photographs of older sections of Tokyo (already slated for destruction in the late 1980s) that the artists used to make the city a presence in the film. (Rated 10 and older: occasional profanity and robot vs. robot violence.) --Charles Solomon

From critically-acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) At the dawn of the millennium in Tokyo advanced robotic vehicles called Labors are heavily relied upon to build fortifications to project Japan from global rising sea levels. A maverick team from the Metropolitan Police led by Noa Izumi and Azuma Shinohara uncover a devilish scheme to infect Tokyo's 8000 Labors with the BABEL virus. As a powerful typhoon approaches Tokyo and the apocalyptic vision of a dead man begins the team must locate and destroy the source of the virus the giant Babylon Project Tower in the heart of Tokyo Bay before 8000 Labors go berserk!The Special Limited Edition is a numbered collector's edition with only 10000 created! Boasting cover art especially illustrated for this release by Yutaka Izubuchi (creator and director of Rahxephon) and includes a 2-DVD set and 2 books never before available!Disc 1:The full-length animated Patlabor The MovieJapanese and English languages with optional English subtitles (with new English translation and dubbing)Newly remastered anamorphic transfer (first US release)New authentic 5.1 channel sound (first US release)Japanese trailers and television commercialsDisc 2:"The Making of Patlabor The Movie" (Japanese language with English subtitles)Book 1: Archives (184 pages 4 color and black & white in English): * Exposition and criticism of the film (character story background artwork etc.) * Interviews with director Mamoru Oshii screenwriter Kazunori Ito mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi character designer Akemi Takada and music composer Kenji Kawai * Key animation drawing samples with explanatory notes * And more!Book 2: Storyboard by Mamoru Oshii (300 pages with English translations) System Requirements:Running Time 100 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN UPC: 858604001004 Manufacturer No: BUDH0100DVD

Patlabor 2 - The Movie (Limited Collector's Edition)

The Limited Collector's Edition is a numbered edition with only 10000 created and boasts an illustrated cover designed especially for this release by illustrator Yutaka Izubuchi (mecha designer of the Patlabor series and creator and director of the hit anime series RahXephon).This impressive Limited Collector's Edition contains:Disc 1: The full-length animated Patlabor 2 The Movie in Japanese and English with optional English subtitles (with new English translation and dubbing) newly remastered anamorphic transfer (first US release) new authentic 5.1 channel sound (first US release) and includes Japanese trailers and assorted television commercials.Disc 2: "Making of Patlabor 2 The Movie" (Japanese with English subtitles)Book 1: Archives (144 pages 4 color and black & white) containing * Exposition and criticism of the film (character story background artwork etc.) * Interviews with director Mamoru Oshii * Tokyo Location Map Location Scouting * Key animation drawing samples with explanatory notes and more!Book 2: Storyboard by Mamoru Oshii (300 pages with English translation)Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN Rating: NR UPC: 858604001028 Manufacturer No: BUDH0102DVD

The second Patlabor feature shifts the focus from Noa Izumi, the heroine of the previous film and the broadcast series, to Kiichi Gotoh, the understated commander of Division #2. Gotoh may never have been a boy scout, but he believes in being prepared. With the assistance of Commander Shinobu, he outwits the officers of the Japanese Self-Defense Force, the police commanders, and the U.S. military to foil a terrorist's attempt to stage a coup d'etat in Tokyo. Noa and the other irregulars of Division #2 make brief appearances, but Gotoh carries the film in his quiet, unassuming way. If the plot feels less intriguing than the race against the dead genius in the first Patlabor feature, Patlabor 2: The Movie showcases director Mamoru Oshii's skill as a moviemaker. Oshii can make an ordinary conversation fascinating by staging it in a moving car at night, with the lights and shadows playing over the characters' faces. His use of flares and explosions turns a standard mecha battle into a striking visual experience. Oshii once again makes the city of Tokyo as much a part of the story as the characters. But instead of the crumbling warehouses of the first film, he offers peaceful yet ominous shots of the city on a snowy night.

The Limited Collectors Edition offers a second disc of making-of interviews originally released in 1993 and 1994. Most of the discussions are narrated by a very young-looking Oshii, a few years beforeGhost in the Shellpropelled him to international fame.(Unrated, suitable for ages 10 and older: occasional profanity and robot vs. robot violence.) --Charles Solomon