Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Collector’s Edition - A Tribute to Anime Visionary
A closer look at the new collector's edition physical release of Masaaki Yuasa's five most iconic works, featuring original artwork, extensive art book, and more.
The Visionary Director and His Films
Masaaki Yuasa, one of anime's biggest visionaries, is renowned for his indescribable yet recognizable visual sensibility and signature surrealism that transcends genres and art styles. His impact on the world of anime is undeniable, and now, independent animation distributor GKIDS is honoring his artistry with a new collector's edition physical release of his five most iconic works.
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Titled Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Collector’s Edition, this premium release encompasses the director's feature films, experimental shorts, and featurettes that highlight his unique approach to creating anime. Each film in the collection showcases Yuasa's distinct stylistic choices, from surreal odysseys to vibrant musical family films, offering a diverse and captivating cinematic experience.
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Five Films from the Visionary Director
The first film in the collection, 2004’s Mind Game, takes viewers on a young Tokyo man’s surrealist odyssey, rewriting the rules of time and space and culminating in an epic attempt to escape the belly of a whale. Yuasa's return to feature animation in 2017 with The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, offers an endearingly oddball look on Japanese college nightlife, while Lu Over the Wall brings a vibrant, Flash-animated musical family film about a junior-high rock band and a mermaid singer to life. Ride Your Wave combines romantic comedy with nautical vibes, and 2021’s Inu-Oh presents a traditional Japanese rock opera set in feudal Japan, challenging the rigid establishment and changing the face of Japanese music forever.
Original Artwork and Additional Features
In addition to the films, the box set also includes an extensive art book, Yuasa’s 2013 short film “Kick-Heart,” and an in-depth interview offering a look into the director’s creative process. Original artwork by Yuasa adorns the box set, capturing the essence of the director’s elastic style and evoking the spirit of Japanese stationery and decorative art. This collector’s edition is a must-have for fans of auteur anime and a captivating introduction for newcomers, solidifying its place as one of the biggest physical anime releases of the season.
