This mysterious and bizarre anime features a swarm of lifeforms that combine humans and Buddhist statues! This
film was created using the original technique of gekimation, but what’s truly astonishing is its overwhelming artistic skill and worldview. It creates a worldview that’s the polar opposite of the current era of moe, undoubtedly drawing viewers into the film’s world. While some criticize the simplistic production process of gekimation (cutouts are animated against a background and then further processed with special effects; see “Yokai Den Nekome Kozo” for example), this film makes it immediately clear why it’s used. Its artistic skill, unattainable in today’s animation, makes it the method of choice. In fact, this film took approximately one and a half years to produce, far longer than the average film. This unprecedented work is the work of Kyoto-based new creator Ujicha, who handled almost all of the drawing, cinematography, and direction alone, making it a truly stunning debut. He was discovered by Leo Anzai, a toy producer renowned throughout the figure figurines industry and the mastermind behind the candy toy boom. He discovered Ujicha’s talent while he was a student at Kyoto Saga University of Arts, where he taught.
This debut film is also highlighted by the lead role of popular and talented voice actress Yuka Iguchi (who played Index in “A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion”), whose stunning acting skills further elevate the film. Of particular note is the appearance of renowned actor Minori Terada, legendary for his role as Muska in “Castle in the Sky.” This film is also a tribute to director Akio Jissoji, and Terada, a member of the Jissoji group, is an essential part of the project. Also appearing is Akio Jissoji’s wife, the legendary film actress Chisako Hara, as well as a special appearance by Mitsuko Hoshi, the heroine of Ultraman Ace. The theme song will be sung by Sakura Inagaki Saki, who is currently enjoying success with her cosplay impersonation of Asuka from “Evangelion” and the TV show “Rokemitsu.” The script will be co-written by Nakazawa Ken, who became a hot topic with his novel “First Love Entertainer.” Other voice actors and musicians involved include Watanabe Hiroka of Cinderella Express, a must-see for comedy aficionados; Sakai Kazuki, leader of “Junretsu,” a group of six former Sentai heroes; and idol wrestler Kasuga Moeka.
A series
of mysterious thefts of Buddhist statues occur in Kyoto. Amidst this, high school girl Beniko (Iguchi Yuka) finds out that the Buddhist statue from her family temple is stolen, and then her parents are brutally murdered, leaving her all alone. She learns from Enju (Terada Minoru), an old acquaintance of her parents, that the culprits may be a group of thieves called the Cedardas, and is consumed with a desire for revenge. However, with no one to call her own, she is taken in by Enju’s temple for the time being. There, she accidentally wanders into Enju’s secret room, where she encounters an ugly Buddha-man, who appears to be a fusion of her parents and the Buddha statue…