Roujin Z [DVD] [US Import] [NTSC]

Roujin-z is an unknown film amongst most western fans of the genre,
constantly overshadowed by its creators major success, Akira.

Dont let the fact that this film isnt as often mentioned as Akira
put you off from watching it, this film is more enjoyable to watch in
most ways, and easier to relate to than Akira.

The main driving point of the film in general is the attitude that
younger generations in japan have been taking when it comes to the care
of their countries elderly, seeing the elderly as a burden to the busy life
of the modern human being and as something that can (and almost always is)
be put in the background and only really marginally provided for.

Otomo uses this point to devastating effect, stripping the main character
of his dignity and pitting him against japans own ideas on how the elderly
should be cared for, and in the process showing how truly indifferent human
beings have become to the suffering of the elderly.
And yet at the same time as the main character is showing the pitfalls of
japans attitudes towards the elderly, Otomo also shows us how one individual can make a good difference, which comes in the form of a trainee nurse who truly does care and is willing to give her time (and in one instance her life)just to
make another person feel atleast in someway happy.

There are so many different things about this film that you can read into
and find meaning in that it is hard to express them all in such a small space.

On a less serious/political note the film in itself is stunning, the animation
although not in the same league as Akira works beautifully well,showing that
Otomo really has an understanding of how to manipulate his chosed media, and make it work to full effect.

The action scenes are extremely well set out and at times pulse pounding and over the top, and in contrast the drama is just as well set out, at times using humour to great effect, to stop you from feeling totally overwhelmed by the emotion on screen.

The soundtract to the film is again as with the animation very well done, it compliments the action and drama on screen perfectly although at times it can seem dated due to its age but that is something that can be easily overlooked.

The character dubbing aswell is very good the brittish actors at nearly every
point hitting their mark, which im pleased to say makes this one of the very few animé that I am able to watch in my own language.

The DVD release Is very good although it varies depending on who you buy it from, the release I own is well put together with good looking menus, digitally remastered sound and picture which most releases similarly have.

So if you've just skipped to the end of this long review to find out my overall
opinion, It is this Roujin-z is another masterpiece in cinema from Otomo, I
honestly believe that it is better than Akira, I enjoyed it more and it didnt
leave me feeling puzzeled at the end so that is an upside aswell.
If you are looking for a really good animé to add to your collection look no
further as Roujin-z is as good as it gets.

I have watched this movie millions of times and never once frowned. This a very funny movie and the animation is smooth and very detailed. The plot is very well put together. Not to mention, I think that the heroine Haruko is kinda cute^_^.

When watching this you must understand when it is from.
This is a classic anime, from the director of Akira and Black Magic M-66, and from the era in Manga where you got greats like Ninja Scroll, Battle Angel Alita, and Madox 01.

If you liked any of those then you should like this. If you haven't heard of these then you should really look into them.
The artwork is to me classic, but to others, more fond of the CG graphics of anime today, it may seem dated.

Finally the Film itself. The story seems zany, but its very funny if you settle into it. the story is not so simple as to be childish but it doesn't take a genius to work out. That's what makes classic anime, well, classic.

One thing I must point out that has been mistranslated for years is the name. Roujin Z. Rou-Jin. It means "old man", not "plan". I believed it to be "Plan" after I watched this with the original subtitled name but this must be mistransliteration, as "plan" in japanese is in fact ke-i-ka-ku. I think this is more to do with making a valid english name rather than being true to the original, as old man Z makes no sense in english.

I really think this is well worth a watch, I've had it on video for years and have been trying to get a copy on DVD for a while now, but of course R1 DVD's aren't so easy to purchase.