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Gantz Creator Hiroya Oku Pans Shaft's 'Fireworks' Anime Film
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Although some early reviews have praised Shaft's Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?), the anime film adaptation of director Shunji Iwai's 1993 live-action drama of the same name is not without its critics. Gantz and Inuyashiki manga creator Hiroya Oku is one of them.
The film opened in theaters across Japan on Friday, and Oku went to see it. Oku said on Twitter, "The drawing is like a late-night television anime, conversation progresses conveniently, and I don't understand what the characters are thinking." He said he was bored while watching the film, and the only good point was the music.
Oku then clarified that he has nothing against the filmmakers, and he would understand even if the film becomes a hit. He believes that other people might enjoy the film, and others will of course have their own individual impressions.
On the other hand, Oku lauded Makoto Shinkai's your name. film in January. He said the film has a strong entertainment quality, interesting script, and animation and background art that may be better than Studio Ghibli's. He believe's Shinkai's effort is worth praising because "it's rather hard to create a work from Japan's film industry today." Oku also described the film as a "rare work" that nears Hollywood techniques while combining Japanese anime and Shinkai's originality.
Ōne (live-action Bakuman., Moteki) wrote Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?'s script, and Nobuyuki Takeuchi (key animator on Spirited Away, Penguindrum, Bakemonogatari) directed the film at studio SHAFT. Akiyuki Simbo (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Nisekoi) was chief director. Akio Watanabe (Nisemonogatari, Bakemonogatari) designed the characters, and Satoru Kousaki (Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Wandering Son) composed the music. Iwai is credited with the original work.
Kenshi Yonezu and female rap singer DAOKO are performing the theme song "Uchiage Hanabi." DAOKO is also performing a cover of the original drama's theme song "Forever Friends" for the film.
Ōne's script adds modern elements to Iwai's original story. The film is set on one day during summer vacation, and follows a group of boys who try to view a fireworks display from the town lighthouse to see if they look round or flat when viewed from the side. Meanwhile, one of the boys, Norimichi, receives an invitation from his crush Nazuna to run away with her.
Including Japan, the film will be distributed in 110 countries and regions.
[Via Yaraon!]
