Shinsengumi: Written by
Mamoru Sasaki and Kon Ichikawa, directed by Kon Ichikawa. Running
Time: 86 minutes.
Rating: 4/4
Originally produced for television
over 15 years ago, Shinsengumi had long
flown under international radar until now, when Nippon arranged its first-ever
international screening. It is an animated
film, but not in the manner most outsiders would think of when you say the
words “Japanese” and “animated.” Based
off of a black-and-white manga, Shinsengumi
tells its story using cutouts figures from the manga itself, each being
moved around via strings or sticks in front of similar cut-out backgrounds,
creating a three-dimensional, puppet-like effect. Different figures are swapped in with
different facial expressions depending on when a particular character is
speaking or laughing, and action is signified by jerky movements of the figures
meant to embody the thrusts and parries of the sword. While much less-known (and certainly
less-popular) than the traditional hand-drawn styles known and loved by many
Westerners, it is a fascinating method to watch when it’s done properly, providing
the viewer with a wholly new way of looking at how animation can be utilized in
service of a story.
To provide the setting of the movie,
some history is needed- prior to the Meiji Restoration in the mid-19th
century, Japan was nominally ruled by the Emperor, but was in actuality
controlled by the Shogun, a powerful daimyo (lord) with enough resources and
might to maintain de facto control
over the entire country (all in the Emperor’s name, of course). This dichotomy often led to split loyalties among
the less-powerful daimyos, with some supporting the Shogun, and others
declaring their loyalties to the Emperor alone.
This split was one of several major factors that led to the Restoration
itself. Just prior to that, however, a
group of lord-less samurai were drawn to the capital by the promise of the
creation of a new military wing designed to serve the Shogunate. While the plans for the unit fell through, a
small group stayed anyway, deciding to form their own organization, and declared
their fealty to the Shogun. In addition
to the traditional laws and codes concerning samurai, they drew up additional
rules for themselves regarding marriage, behavior, money, etc., and called
themselves Shinsengumi.
The group was small at first, but
the forceful nature of their charismatic leaders and the attraction of their
strict rules of behavior drew various other samurai into their ranks over the
years, and by the 1860’s, Shinsengumi had become a powerful force in its own
right, operating almost as a combination police-and-secret-service force
rooting out plots and enemies on behalf of the Shogun. This, of course, created many enemies for
them amongst those opposed to the Shogunate, and when the events leading to the
Restoration began, Shinsengumi found themselves right in the middle of one of
the most tumultuous times in recent Japanese history.
Although the movie is animated, and
the narrator admits that most conversations and personal scenes are dramatized,
all of the figures and events depicted are straight from historical record, so
in many ways Shinsengumi functions as
a thorough documentary on the history of a group that continues to be somewhat
controversial in Japan to this day. Was
Shinsengumi a group of remarkable and talented people who admirably stuck to
their beliefs and their codes even when the world around them began to
shift? Or were they just a bunch of
bloodthirsty thugs looking for a veneer of legitimization, allowing them to
kill and enrich themselves at will? As
with most great movies, Shinsengumi
leaves the decision up to us, sticking to just presenting many of the
individuals that led the group, warts and all.
I can truly say I have never
encountered any film like this one. I
was, at first, hesitant that I would like the cutout/puppet method of animation
used, but it is done with such finesse and skill that I couldn’t help but warm
to it as the film goes on. The
simplicity of it also lends a surprising amount of gravitas at certain moments-
in a few instances, a raid by Shinsengumi is built up with an image of just the
heads and swords of those involved slowly moving closer to the camera in front
of a pitch-dark backdrop. It’s such a
basic and simple visual technique, which makes it all the more surprising how
effectively such shots create an environment of threat and anticipation.
Though small in its visuals, Shinsengumi carries itself with a
confidence and dignity that makes it a fascinating watch for anyone open to a
new animation style, or someone just looking for a fresh glimpse into a
fascinating period in Japanese history. Highly recommended.
-Noah
Franc
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