Inu-Oh

Rating: 7.8/10 ⭐️

I expected a traditional historical anime, but got a surreal, feudal rock opera about defying government censorship.

The Director’s Eye:
Yuasa's psychedelic animation is wild. The landscapes actually gave me fantastic visual inspiration for the Pan-Asia aesthetic I'm developing for in my current script. As a conservative, I loved the anti-authoritarian theme. The Ashikaga clan tries to rewrite history, but our outcasts stand up to tyranny by singing unapproved truths. It’s a powerful testament to free speech. The biwa music morphing into anachronistic hair metal is an insane, awesome experience.

The Cuts:
The occult storyline—making a blood-soaked deal with a demonic mask—was too spiritually dark for my traditional tastes. Also, the second act pacing stalls hard; the plot grinds to a halt for 30 minutes of pure concert performances.

Verdict:
A bizarre, head-banging trip championing free speech over elite control.

Favorite Line: "We are here! We are alive! Hear our voices!"

Super super good.

I’ve never seen anything quite like this movie before! The visual style and music felt so magical and energetic!

Stunning. Hurt my feelings.