The cinema of Mamoru Oshii : fantasy, technology, and politics

Today’s animation is much more than kids’ stuff. Increasingly complex subject matter has produced a corresponding increase in artistic interest, and forms once specific to certain cultures have crossed borders to enjoy international popularity. Japanese animation has been particularly successful in the United States, and among the most celebrated Japanese animation artists is director Mamoru Oshii. This book is an analytical survey of Oshii’s cinematic works from the early years of his career through his 21st-century productions, including Beautiful Dreamer and the acclaimed Ghost in the Shell. The author examines these and other Oshii productions in relation to the Carnivalesque movement, technopolitics and the director’s post-robotic vision. Oshii’s films are particularly significant in their defiance of the premises of Western animation and their presentation of a highly personal commentary on both individual and collective identities in the 20th and 21st centuries. Special emphasis is placed on Oshii’s revolutionary film techniques, including the stylistically and thematically diverse features of productions ranging from animation to live action to Original Video Animation (OVA), a format Oshii invented. A complete filmography is included. This Book Is An Analytical Survey Of Oshii's Cinematic Works From The Early Years Of His Career Through His 21st-century Productions. The Author Examines Oshii Productions In Relation To The Carnivalesque Movement, Technopolitics And The Director's Post-robotic Vision. Special Emphasis Is Placed On Oshii's Revolutionary Film Techniques. A Complete Filmography Is Included--provided By Publisher. Oshii's Cinema: An Analytical Survey. Background: Developments In Animé -- Oshii's Creative Trajectory -- Themes, Imagery And Symbolism -- Cinematography And Animation Techniques -- Oshii And The Carnivalesque. Concepts Of The Carnival -- Urusei Yatsura: The Tv Series -- Urusei Yatsura Movie 1: Only You -- Urusei Yatsura Movie 2: Beautiful Dreamer -- Urusei Yatsura Movie 4: Lum The Forever -- Angel's Egg -- Twilight Q2: Labyrinth Objects File 538 -- Oshii's Technopolitics. Visions Of Power In Live Action And Animé -- Dallos. Mobile Police Patlabor, Ova1 -- Mobile Police Patlabor, Tv Series And Ova 2 -- Patlabor 1: The Mobile Police -- Patlabor 2: The Movie -- Patlabor Wxiii: Movie 3 -- Minipato -- The Red Spectacles, Stray Dog And Talking Head -- Killers: .50 Woman -- Jin-roh: The Wolf Brigade -- Humanity/virtuality: Oshii's Post-robotic Vision. Approaches To Cybersociety -- Blood: The Last Vampire -- Avalon -- Ghost In The Shell -- Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence -- Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex -- Post-innocence Developments. Dani Cavallaro. Filmography: P. 225-230. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 241-244) And Index.