Masaaki Yuasa’s (Ride Your Wave, Devilman Crybaby) Inu-Oh is almost here and it’s as bizarre as it looks… In the best way possible, sticking well to Yuasa’s fantastical and visual mode of storytelling. Anime Limited are bringing the life of the masked minstrel Inu-Oh to the big screen. With a wonderful blend of historical fantasy and rock musicals, Inu-Oh tells the story of 14th century rock stars and their struggle to assert their creative voices in the face of tangled fate and political turmoil. The musical, animated by Science Saru, will be coming exclusively to cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 28th September,
Synopsis
Inu-oh is born with unique physical characteristics, and the horrified adults cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, he meets a boy named Tomona, a blind biwa player, and as Tomona plays a delicate song of tangled fate, Inu-oh discovers an incredible ability to dance. Inu-oh and Tomona become business partners and inseparable friends, using their creative gifts to survive on the margins of society, as song after song gain them notoriety and propel them to stardom. Through the songs, Inu-oh mesmerizes his audiences on stage, and gradually begins to transform into someone of unequaled beauty. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-oh born with unique characteristics? It’s a story about the friendship of Inu-oh and Tomona, who dance and sing to get to the truth and break each other’s curse.
Review
In terms of anime films that I have watch, Inu-Oh is really out-there. Not in a negative way, of course, but Inu-Oh is an unusual tale that is visually bizarre. It’s this weird amalgamation of modern and historic aesthetics, that becomes incredibly tragic; anchored down by its poignant message and strange relevance. There’s a lot to unpack, but what’s fascinating about Inu-Oh is its attitude towards defiance. The setting is very much immersed within the 14th century and the film does an amazing job at exploring that period of time. It explores the history of the period, but focuses a lot on the art forms that flourished throughout that century- focusing primarily on Noh theatre and Biwa playing.
Now, the idea of defiance comes into play when Tomona and Inu-Oh turn their respective art form into an original performance that truly evokes that punk rock attitude of rebellion and radicalism that challenges the status quo. In a way, Yuasa utilises these art forms to challenge tradition and subvert our understanding of them. The music and routines of Inu-Oh become challenged modes of art that carry negative connotations in the eyes of those with power, but not to the masses. Calligraphy and graffiti, or even rap and opera… They both operate in similar ways, but one is always deemed in a lesser light. Inu-Oh and Tomona become the antithesis of their talent.
Ignoring the music for a second, one of the highlights of the film is definitely the bond Inu-Oh and Tomona share. Having watched Dororo recently, it’s hard not to draw on the similarities. Inu-Oh considers himself a monster, but due to Tomona’s blindness an instant bond is formed that extends beyond the physical and gravitates around this passion for music and stories. They help each other grow and evolve and it’s brilliant to watch. They both start off as two very lost souls but gradually they find comfort in their new identities. As Inu-Oh transforms and reverts, so does Tomona. They embrace this 80’s glam-rock aesthetic with their own stage names, feminine costumes, and bishōnen (“beautiful boy”) attitude where their androgynous and “feminine” physical traits are celebrated and adored. It’s a beautiful friendship where two fractured souls become one again, and despite the tragic end there is still beauty in it. Their friendship binds the film together and we’re presented with an emotional and deeply touching finale that is only made possible because of the journey we take with these two lovable rebels.
One of the biggest “issues” with the film is that it takes a while to get going. A majority of the first half is spent establishing the world, characters, and mythology. While absolutely necessary, we don’t get to actually enter the best phase until much later on. Inu-Oh is wildly unique because of its music and how the animation brings the songs to life. The concerts are absolutely electric, and what’s really cool is seeing how they escalate. First we start off with these busking-esque performances, but by the end we’re dealing with these spectacular extravaganzas. There are lights, props, and mass crowd engagement on the scale of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”. It’s madness of the best kind,
What I appreciated most in regards to the visuals was that the stage comprised of materials and technology of the time, yet somehow it felt and sounded so contemporary and modern. It’s almost like you forget that this film takes place in the 14th-century. Even the way the lyrics and poems are framed seems quite modern, yet they are telling a very ancient story. The fact that this film’s plot is driven through the songs is absolutely outstanding. Each song adds to our understanding of the world and the characters. While they aren’t the easiest to sing along to, there’s no denying that the songs are catchy as hell. It was impossible to stay completely still while watching.
Inu-Oh‘s bizarre nature and odd aesthetic may not attract a wider audience. However, Inu-Oh is a visual and audible treat. If you love anime then Inu-Oh will offer an experience unlike any other. Its animation is fluid but harsh. There’s a hyperrealistic tone to the animation that clashes with the fantastical elements. It feels as though these styles would work against each other, but it gives the film strength and makes Inu-Oh stand out. If your interests revolve more around music, then this anime will provide you with songs that seem to be cleverly stuck in time, and I simply can’t recall anything similar in terms of scale and depth. The music is brilliantly written, performed excellently by Japanese rockstar Avu-chan and actor Mirai Moriyama, and bolstered by Inu-Oh’s interpretative routines. There’s so much life in this film and it would be an utter shame for it to be forgotten- much like Inu and Tomona.
Verdict
Inu-Oh is a visually striking piece of art that really stands alone in the wide genre of anime. Not only does it look fantastic, it also sounds amazing with songs that guide us through this historical and magical journey. To a degree, it’s a very angry film as it deals with marginalization and freedom of speech and the negative qualities they can carry. But Inu-Oh deals with them in an affectionate way that allows us to see the legendary rise and devastating fall of stories, as well as the way in which they are contained. It’s impossible not to fall in love with Inu-Oh and Tomona and their mission as they grow. If you were originally interested in the idea of a rock band set in the 14th century, then you simple won’t be prepared for Inu-Oh and Tomona’s dynamic and warming relationship, As someone who was enticed by the prospect of time periods clashing, Inu-Oh was a suprise in more ways than one.
It has to be enjoyed in cinema. You have to immerse yourself in the world and allow the music to take you through time, and the best way to achieve that is to see it on the biggest screen possible.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
You can book your tickets right now by visiting https://inu-oh.co.uk/
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