The Beauty of Japanese Animation
- Supriya Rajnish
- Jan 17, 2024
- 2 min read
Anime Alchemy: Japanese animation weaves narrative magic, painted frames, soul-stirring music—a cinema of profound emotions. 🎨🎶🎬
Alt Text: Image of the film Suzume
Image source: Variety
I was around 10 years old when i watched my first Japanese movie. I'm happy to say that i watched Spirited away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. For the first time I remember being completely awestruck and spellbound by the visuals and the narratives of the diegetic world that the team had created. I often wondered why i was so drawn and enchanted by the film and it's storytelling. There were a number of reasons for that.
The Storytelling Techniques
Anime Alchemy: Japanese animation weaves narrative magic, painted frames, soul-stirring music—a cinema of profound emotions. 🎨🎶🎬
Alt Text: Image of the characters from Ghibli Studios
Image source: Wallpaper Cave
I remember the first thing that made this film different from other films I had seen were the narrative techniques and method used by the animation studios. Since it was a Japanese animation, I was taken aback by the visuals, the aesthetics, immersive narrative world that they had created. One very prominent method that they use is called Kishōtenketsu.
This consists of four parts
Ki meaning the introduction.
Shō meaning the development of the plot.
Ten referring to the plot twist and unexpected events that occur.
and finally the Ketsu which refers to the ending.
The Stunning Frames
Alt Text: Image of a frame from the film Spirited Away
Image source: Elza Kinde
When I saw the film for the first time, I genuinely believed that each frame was painted and drawn by hand. Every subsequent Japanese animated film I have seen continues to amaze me with it's colour palette and incredible composition. Each shot and frame is so aesthetic and it beautifully captures the moments between characters and the evolution of human relationships.
The Music
Alt Text: Image of the music and background score for Studio Ghibli films
Image source: Mothership.SG
Every Japanese animation film is elevated by the incredible music score that makes the film even more special and profound.The music also perfectly fits the movie and encapsulates the feelings and thoughts of the character and the emotions they are feeling at the moment. The music is beautifully melodious and deep, adding depth, meaning and layers to the film, characters and the plot.
The Compelling Plot
Alt Text: Image of a frame from the film Kiki's delivery service.
Image source: Time Out
Each Japanese animated film has a narrative that is so complex in nature and yet so simple to understand. They delve into a variety of genres like fantasy, romance, history exploring human relationships, young love and the harsh reality of the world. Each film that I have seen has beautifully dealt with these topics addressing the topics and the difficulties that characters and by extension, people go through.
Must watch Ghibli Studio Films
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