Mind Game (film)
Masaaki Yuasa directed the 2004 film Mind Game with a specific visual strategy in mind. He told the Japan Times that he did not want to tell the story seriously or straight. Instead, he aimed for a look that was wild and patchy. The production team used disparate animation techniques to create one continuous narrative. Studio 4°C handled the primary animation work alongside other studios like Gainax and Production I.G. Chief animation direction came from Yūichirō Sueyoshi while Tōru Hishiyama managed art direction. Masahiko Kubo provided groundwork and further animation direction. Yuasa believed Japanese animation fans would enjoy different styles thrown at them without demanding total polish.
Nishi stands on a subway platform in Osaka when his childhood crush Myon appears before him. She takes him to her family's yakitori restaurant where she introduces him to her father and elder sister Yan. Two yakuza members named Atsu and a senior called Aniki enter looking for Myon's father. Atsu threatens Myon at gunpoint while Ryo jumps to defend her but gets knocked unconscious. Atsu prepares to rape Myon who cries out for Nishi. Atsu turns on the terrified Nishi and places his pistol against Nishi's anus. He fires when Nishi finally musters the courage to yell out a threat. The bullet kills Nishi instantly. The senior yakuza then fatally shoots Atsu for lacking control.
Inside the whale's belly, an old man reveals he is a former yakuza living there for more than 30 years. He shows the trio to an elaborate suspended house constructed over the sea within the creature. Water levels begin rising inside the whale as it starts dying. They concoct a plan to build a motor boat using spare parts and fuel from their car. On the day before the final match of the World Cup, the whale returns to Osaka. All four manage to escape through the water. Yan practices dancing and art while Myon practices swimming again after giving up that dream at puberty. Nishi practices writing and drawing manga before becoming sexually intimate with Myon.
The film was planned and produced primarily by Studio 4°C in 2004. Masaaki Yuasa served as director during his directorial debut. Shinichirō Watanabe produced the music while Seiichi Yamamoto composed the score. Fayray provided an image song and Yōko Kanno performed piano pieces. Asmik Ace Entertainment and Beyond C. co-produced the project alongside Rentrack Japan Co. Ltd. Michael Arias noted there was consideration for a Region 1 DVD release but it fell through. Madman Entertainment released the film on Region 4 DVD in Australia in 2008. GKIDS later licensed the film in 2017 for streaming and theatrical distribution.
Mind Game received a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 14 reviews. The film won the Animation Division Grand Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2004. It also took home the 2005 Mainichi Film Awards' ōfuji Noburō Award. At the Fantasia Festival in Canada during July 2005, the movie beat many live-action films to win all three jury awards it qualified for. These included Best Film, Best Director tying with Gen Sekiguchi, and Best Script. An additional Special Award recognized its Visual Accomplishment. The audience voted it first for Best Animation Film and second for Most Groundbreaking Film behind Survive Style 5+.
Filmmaking duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert cited Mind Game as an influence for their 2022 comedy Everything Everywhere All at Once. That film was met with widespread acclaim after its release. It would be nominated for eleven awards and won seven at the 95th Academy Awards. Wins included Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. The phrase This Story Has Never Ended appears before the credits roll of Mind Game. Satoshi Kon and Bill Plympton praised the original film's unique approach to storytelling and visual execution.
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Common questions
Who directed the 2004 film Mind Game?
Masaaki Yuasa directed the 2004 film Mind Game. He served as director during his directorial debut and aimed for a wild and patchy visual style rather than a serious or straight narrative.
When was the film Mind Game released by Studio 4°C?
The film was planned and produced primarily by Studio 4°C in 2004. Madman Entertainment later released the film on Region 4 DVD in Australia in 2008, while GKIDS licensed it in 2017 for streaming and theatrical distribution.
What awards did Mind Game win at the Fantasia Festival in July 2005?
At the Fantasia Festival in Canada during July 2005, the movie won all three jury awards it qualified for including Best Film, Best Director tying with Gen Sekiguchi, and Best Script. An additional Special Award recognized its Visual Accomplishment.
Which studios worked on the animation production of Mind Game?
Studio 4°C handled the primary animation work alongside other studios like Gainax and Production I.G. Chief animation direction came from Yūichirō Sueyoshi while Tōru Hishiyama managed art direction.
How does the character Nishi die in the plot of Mind Game?
A yakuza member named Atsu places his pistol against Nishi's anus and fires when Nishi finally musters the courage to yell out a threat. The bullet kills Nishi instantly before the senior yakuza fatally shoots Atsu for lacking control.