Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories

From the director of Akira comes three tales that push the boundaries of the imagination.  In “Magnatic Rose”, a salvage crew follows an SOS into a dark region of space.  Here they come face to face with an ancient memory that threatens to destroy them to preserve its legacy.  In “Stink Bomb” a hapless Medical Researcher ingests a pill that he hopes will cure his cold.  He doesn’t expect to become the ultimate bio weapon that the Japanese Military will stop and nothing to eliminate.  Finally, in “Cannon Fodder” we follow the day in the life of a family living in a city that thrives on building and firing large weapons of war at an unseen enemy.  Enter the mind of Katsuhiro Otomo.  It’ll change the way you look at Anime forever.

The other night, I had the opportunity to check out Katsuhiro Otomo’s Memories during an Anime Night Revival series.  It had been a few years since I’d seen this little anthology but I remembered liking it.  Coming out of the screening, I still do.  My thoughts on a couple of entries might’ve changed but overall, if you liked Akira and Steamboy, chances are you’ll enjoy these short stories from the man who helped put Anime on the map in a bit way in the states.

Of the three stories, it’s most often said that Magnetic Rose is the best of the bunch and it is hard to argue with that assesement.  Written by Satoshi Kon, the master of psychological Anime thrillers, and with a score by the Queen of Anime Soundtracks, Yoko Kanno, herself, Magnetic Rose is almost a titan compared to the other two stories.  The story is a throw back to dark science fiction films, especially Ridley Scott’s Alien.  Eva Friedel’s ship is massive but filled with as much darkness as it is lavish sets, enough to make you feel terrified the deeper Heinz and Miguel enter the vessel.  Of the three stories, Magnetic Rose is the only one to emphasize the “Memories” title, as the thought of an indestructible memory threatening to destroy everyone around you is pretty damn terrifying to think about.  But overcoming those painful memories can be just as great a challenge and in doing so, you can find a strength to overcome anything…even a beautiful psycho opera singer.  The last few minutes are amazing, a perfect mix of chaos and Yoko Kanno’s rendition of Madame Butterfly created the ultimate crescendo that almost makes you wonder why this had to lead off the set rather than finish Memories off.  There are a few ways one could have reorganized the three features in Memories, but no matter what, Magnetic Rose would probably still win out a battle between all three regardless.

That’s not to say Stink Bomb and Cannon Fodder aren’t also great, theyre just not as good as Magnetic Rose.  Stink Bomb is considerably more comedic than the prior chapter, which can be a bit off putting following such a serious story.  However, for me, Stink Bomb is at its best when you see the full might of the Japanese Military, looking like it’s trying to take down Godzilla, gathered for maximum overkill against a clueless sap on a moped.  The reason behind Nobuo’s increased powers, including being nearly indestructible, gets a bit out of hand at times.  Sometimes I feel like even Otomo didn’t know how to fully explain his new abilities like being able to EMP tanks and missiles.  Still, Stink Bomb is good for a chuckle and a fun little romp from a guy who enjoys over the top violence.

Finally, we have Cannon Fodder.  I feel like this is the entry with the most to say in this anthology and is the most unique and creative.  The animation is very un-Anime, if anything it looks very European, which is fitting since the city we spend the entire episode in looks like something out of Fullmetal Alchemist.  The overall commentary is strong and can be interpreted in many ways: a city made for nothing but war; inhabited by citizens who have spent their whole lives doing the same routine day in and day out; a young boy who dreams of firing the cannon but has no idea who he is shooting at.  It’s the shortest of the three entries, but Cannon Fodder is deep and very thought provoking.  The story is also told in an almost single shot manner with very few cuts and edits.  This is also part of the episodes downside in that we spend maybe a little too much time seeing everything play out step by step, especially during the big loading of the gun before it is fired sequence.

Katsuhiro Otomo’s Memories might not be as groundbreaking as Akira, then again I don’t think anything the man does might ever top that legend.  But it’s still a good way to see a creative mind stretch its legs and tell the stories it wants to tell.  Some succeed beautifully like Magnetic Rose.  Others might be choppy but still enjoyable like Stink Bomb.  And then there’s the avant garde pieces with interesting concepts, artstyles and ideas like Cannon Fodder.  No matter what, these are still three quality tales that im glad to say I got to watch.  They’re epic, they’re unique, they are Japanese Anime baby and that’s why I watch, to open my mind and see where the wide multiverse of Anime will take me next.

8/10