From Hayao Miyazaki’s classic Studio Ghibli animes to action-packed blockbuster titles like Dragon Ball Z and Neon Genesis Evangelian, Japanese animation is taking the spotlight in December at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Adult fans should not miss this rare opportunity to see three classic Ghibli titles in glorious original 35mm print, in Japanese with English subtitles. For younger fans, we’re also screening English language versions. Whether you’re a Ghibli fanatic, love the art of anime or are new to the genre, Essential Anime has something for everyone.
Boruto: Naruto the Movie M
Following on from Naruto: The Last, Boruto continues the enormously popular series with the adventures of Naruto’s son. With Naruto as the Seventh Hokage, Hidden Leaf Village is planning to host the Chunin Exams to train new shinobi from the village and its surrounds. Among the entrants are Sasuke’s daughter, Sarada, who adores Naruto, Mitsuki, an exceptionally talented yet mysterious shinobi… And Boruto, Naruto’s son who shows great potential, but despises his father.
Hiroyuki Yamashita, 2015, 100 mins, Japan, DCP. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 14 Dec – 19 Dec
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo M
After the ‘Third Impact’, Shinji awakens to find Earth in ruins. Those he once fought valiantly to protect have turned against him, and with Rei Ayanami nowhere to be seen, could his efforts to save her have been in vain – and what friendships can he now rely on? Trapped in a harrowing cycle of death and rebirth, Shinji continues to courageously battle the Angels – even as the world edges towards apocalypse.
Hideaki Anno, 2013, 96 mins, Japan, DCP. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 15 Dec – 19 Dec
Laputa: Castle in the Sky G
Two orphans go on an amazing journey in one of Hayo Miyazaki’s beloved, early films. After an air pirate attack on the flying ship she’s kept prisoner, Sheeta escapes captivity and floats to safety using the power of a mysterious glowing pendant. On the ground she meets Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, and the pair soon discovers that they’re both searching for the legendary floating castle, Laputa. Vowing to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around Sheeta’s neck, they set off on a perilous quest full of secret agents, robots and pirates trying to keep them from the truth – and each other.
Hayao Miyazaki, 1986, 124 mins, Japan, 35mm. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 17 Dec – 19 Dec
Princess Mononoke M
A beautifully realised tale of civilization versus nature, Princess Mononoke is a true epic by Japan’s master animator Hayao Miyazaki. While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a deadly curse. To find the cure that will save his life, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest Spirit’s realm where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolves. It’s not long before Ashitaka is caught in the middle of a battle between iron-ore prospecting humans and the forest dwellers. He must summon the spirit-powers and all his courage to stop man and nature from destroying each other.
Hayao Miyazaki, 1997, 134 mins, Japan, 35mm. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 17 Dec – 20 Dec
My Neighbor Totoro G
In Studio Ghibli’s classic My Neighbor Totoro, two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, move into a new home in the country with their father, while their mother recovers from illness in a nearby hospital. To their surprise, the pair soon discover that they share this home with some rather unusual creatures and even stranger neighbours – forest guardians that the girls dub Totoro. When trouble occurs, their new friends will help them rediscover hope.
Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibil), 1988, 86 mins, Japan, 35mm. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 18 Dec – 20 Dec
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection “F” PG
Following the fight with Beers the Destroyer, Goku and Vegeta are in training on Beers’ world, under the guidance of his attendant, Whis. Meanwhile, with the earth at peace once again, Sorbet and Tagoma, two of the surviving members of the Freeza force, discover some of the Dragon Balls, which they use to revive the vanquished Freeza. Once the galactic tyrant is resurrected, he begins plotting his revenge against Goku and the Saiyans. The newly reborn Freeza force advances on Earth, forcing Gohan, Piccolo, Kuririn and company to take on 1000 of their deadly soldiers. Goku and Vegeta challenge Freeza to their destined showdown, but Freeza has powered-up and now the battle of a lifetime is about to begin.
Tadayoshi Yamamuro, 2015, 93 mins, Japan, DCP. Courtesy Madman Entertainment
Dates: 18 Dec – 20 Dec
Essential Anime 2015
ACMI – Melbourne
Monday 14 – Sunday 20 December 2015
acmi.net.au/essential-anime
