1000 Anime Crossover: March 2016

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#20: Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within (2001)

Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi

Screenplay: Al Reinert and Jeff Vintar

Inspired by the videogame series produced by Square Enix

(Voice) Cast: Ming-Na Wen (as Doctor Aki Ross); Alec Baldwin (as Captain Gray Edwards); Ving Rhames (as Ryan); Steve Buscemi (as Neil); Peri Gilpin (as Jane); Donald Sutherland (as Dr. Sid); James Woods (as General Hein)

Viewed with English Dub

Abstract Spectrum: None

Abstract Rating (High/Medium/Low/None): None

Inexplicably the amount of early anime of the early 2000s to be animated with 3D animation and models I've covered has been large on 1000 Anime, and in every case everyone has been tedious, only Malice@Doll (2001) which I've yet to cover an exception to the rule. Having been old enough to know the hype that was surrounding The Spirits Within before its release, its comical in hindsight just how much it failed in both being entertaining and avoiding tanking at the box office. It could be seen as tragic, but if you follow the link HERE to my full review, it's not a surprise why a new animation company collapsed immediately after making this their first production.

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#21: Elfen Lied (2004)

Director: Mamoru Kanbe

Screenplay: Takao Yoshioka

Based on a manga by Lynn Okamoto

(Voice) Cast: Chihiro Suzuki (as Kouta); Sanae Kobayashi (as Lucy / Nyuu); Emiko Hagiwara (as Mayu); Hiroaki Hirata (as Professor Kakuzawa Yu); Mamiko Noto (as Yuka); Maria Yamamoto (as Kanae); Yuki Matsuoka (as Nana)

Viewed in Japanese with English Subtitles

Abstract Spectrum: Grotesque

Abstract Rating (High/Medium/Low/None): None

One of the more notorious, divisive and yet incredibly popular anime series of the early 2000s, Elfen Lied is one that I first saw getting into anime and for all its clear flaws I cannot help as my review will attest to, which you can read HERE, to still see so many virtues to counter balance the problems. A grim yet brightly coloured work which schizophrenic tonal shifts, it also however is one of the few series to really wallow in ideas of trauma and adolescent violence fully even if it can be utterly tasteless at points.