Manga And Anime: Movie Analysis

During the last years, the major Japanese studios have started to follow the tactics of their Hollywood equivalents, finally adapting in the way they deserve, their own comics, named manga.

This tendency is not exactly new, since films based on manga/anime were being shot since the 70's. However, it is the first time that so many and so expensive, and subsequently so elaborate productions, are being made. This is chiefly attributed to two factors:

1. The people behind those films finally realized that they could not squeeze 8 or more hours of anime into a single film, and thus decided to present the movie in two or three parts, retaining in that way, much of the original's story and themes.

2. They also realized that, since most of the titles

The film is filled with slapstick humor, violence and distinct B-movie aesthetics, not to mention some minor sociopolitical remarks that look completely farcical in this zombie curio.

26. Thermae Romae (Hideki Takeuchi, 2012)

Based on the homonymous and very successful manga by Mari Yamazaki, Thermae Romae is one of the most acclaimed titles of the list, receiving international recognition, becoming the second highest- grossing film in Japan in 2012 and netting the protagonist, Hiroshi Abe, a Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor.

The nonsensical scenario revolves around Lucius , a Roman architect who is having troubles coming up with plans for a new bathhouse. However, eventually he finds a hidden tunnel in another bathhouse that leads to modern Japan. The contemporary bath accommodations he finds there, along with Mami, a young manga artist that functions as his tour guide, inspire him to complete his building in ancient Rome.

Japanese actors playing Romans that roam in modern day Japan was quite an unusual and illogical notion, but Hideki Takeuchi managed to depict it in artful and entertaining fashion, while exemplifying the plumbing of contemporary

Sawako Kawamura's classmates avoid her due to her name and gloomy appearance reminding them of Sadako, from the popular J-horror film the "Ringu." They even take it so far as to call her Sadako. However, she has nothing to do with their opinion of her, since she is a very kindhearted, though timid girl that cares too much about the others.

Shota Kazehaya on the other hand is very popular and outgoing. The two of them eventually become friends, and Shota helps Sawako to interact with her classmates and with his assistance, she manages to make a few friends. Furthermore, both of them have feelings for each other, although they are too afraid to express them.

Things become more complicated when Ume, an old friend of Kazehaya's confesses her feelings towards him to Sawako and asks for her help.

Naoto Kumazawa directs a drama-charged tale of teenage romance that mainly targets schoolgirls as an audience. The visuals of the film are magnificent, with elaborate cinematography that includes wonderful shots both in school and outside of