VEXILLE

Japan, 2007, 109 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Fumihiko Sori.

While the Japanese studios have been developing Anime and Manga animated action films (a counterbalance in animation film content and style from Hollywood and the US), they have tended to be seen by fans of the genres rather than the general public. However, as the years have gone on, more and more of these films have become more readily available and there is a huge market for the DVDs.

The films tend to take up science fiction and science fantasy themes. This is the case with Vexille, which focuses attention on the heroine (and away from Leon, the hero, who should get equal time). However, the original title was Japan Isolation, 2077.

Japan has cut itself from the rest of the world in the 21st century (as it did in the 17th and 18th centuries). But, one of the consequences of this narrowing of horizons is that a corporation has been able to take over human beings and turn them into androids and is pursuing the production of slave-robots. The United Nations has condemned this action.

When two American agents, Leon and Vexille, arrive at a meeting for international representatives, they become involved in confronting the company authorities and do battle, with the help of some fantasy creatures, to stop the process. This being Japan, with its propensity for despair and suicide, is not easy as the populace seems to be determined to go to its doom.

Fans have not been disappointed with this film but, for those not accustomed to style and stories, it is an acquired taste.

1.The popularity of animated Japanese films? The Anime style? The Manga style? Science fiction, science fantasy? For Japanese audiences? For non-Japanese audiences? This film geared for the United States?

2.Comment on the visual style, the basic drawing, the characters, action sequences, the backgrounds and environment, the creatures? The musical score?

3.The title, the original Japanese title meaning Isolation, 2077? The background of Japan and its isolationist past? Japan as an enclosed society? The humans becoming victims, the creation of androids, the formation of robots? The global companies? The pessimism? The judgment of the United Nations? Suicide and the annihilation of the people?

4.The situation: the meeting, the company, Saito and his running the company, Kisaragi and his intentions? The Americans and their visit? The attitude? The United Nations and its condemnation? The build-up to chaos and deaths?

5.Leon as hero, American background, relationship with Vexille, the heroics? The appearance and the style of drawings? Going to Japan, Leon and his past, the relationship with Maria? Vexille and her shock about the new Japan? The androids? The homes, the markets?

6.Kisaragi and his goals, Saito and his promises? The processes for making androids, to become robot slaves? The delegates to the meeting to be transformed? Saito and his shock that Kisaragi was still human?

7.Leon and Vexille, their investigations, the crises, the fights? Maria and her help, her death? Kisaragi and his death?

8.The populace, their shock, going to their deaths?

9.Leon and Vexille – and their hope for a different world? A new world?