Cat Soup
Alt titles: Nekojiru-sou
Synopsis:
Cat Soup is an extremely abstract, abnormal, and at times, disturbing adventure, from the director of Nadesico. This 30 minute OVA follows two kittens through what seems to be the underworld, as they search for one of their lost souls. Along the way, they encounter new (edible) friends, scary situations, and even the end of the world! Will these felines manage to return unscathed? Or more importantly, avoid becoming the main course for dinner? Confusion abounds in this quirky OVA.
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Atama Yama
- OVA (1 ep)
- 2002
After a miserly man consumes a batch of freshly-fallen cherries (seeds included), he finds himself in a hairy and unfortunate situation - a small cherry tree has sprouted from his balding forehead! With his mountain-like head becoming a tourist attraction, what's a miser to do?
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5 people think you'd like this because...
add recBoth are a magical and surreal outlook on an abstract world revolving solely around one character and the journey or discovery they must make. Truly unique in design and storytelling ability these are a must see for fans of the bizarre.
Looking for something different than what you're used to? How about something totally fantastic that can literally make you dizzy with so many mind-boggling concepts? Interested in watching little kitties take a journey or an old man grow a tree (on his head)? Then look no farther and take a gander at Cat Soup and Atama Yama!
These two short animations are both random and unique. While there is an obvious difference in style, being "different" is what unites these titles. If you have enjoyed one for its whackiness, you will enjoy the other for the same reason.
Diary of Tortov Roddle, The
Alt titles: Aru Tabibito no Nikki
- Web (6 eps)
- 2003
His name is Tortov Roddle, and he is a traveler from Tortalia. Along with his unusually large companion of a pig, the slender Tortov travels from place to place, always finding a new and beautiful adventure at his destination. From islands carried on the backs of frogs, to delightful cafes, to movie theaters and giant bears, there's a wonderful story to tell in the diary of Tortov Roddle.
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5 people think you'd like this because...
add recThere are some really similar points in these two anime. Tortov's pig looks like the elephant in the circus in Cat Soup, and both anime parties are traveling through strange places that are nothing special to the characters (as they are the characters' normal worlds). Both main characters are almost always calm and have that smart look on their face. The only difference is that in Cat Soup the main animal is mostly cats, and in Tortov Roddle the most common animal is a rabbit. ;p
Here we have two highly individualised abstract shorts, so unique in both design and theme, that any fan of a more artistic and philosophical approach to anime will enjoy. If you have enjoyed one piece, than you will undoubtedly want to seek the other.
What these two animes share, aside from the tendancy to provoke a 'WTF?!' reaction from an audience through the surreal adventures portrayed in both, is an undeniable charm which makes both feel quite so delightful.
The Diary of Tortov Roddle and Cat Soup feature characters wander around a very imaginative world that is really out there. Spoken dialog is non existant in both titles and both will titles might just make you just think what the hell did you just watch. A little warning Cat Soup is bit more twisted than the Diary of Tortov Roddle.
Angel's Egg
Alt titles: Tenshi no Tamago
- Movie
- 1985
In a dark and largely abandoned city a little girl wanders in search of something – beneath the folds of her dress she carries a mysterious giant egg. While living on the streets, she encounters a lonesome warrior who has forgotten his past and his purpose and, like the girl, travels aimlessly. Now they journey together, mistrustful of each other whilst sharing in the silence of the city. But who is the little girl? Who is the warrior? And what form of creature lies sleeping inside the egg?
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4 people think you'd like this because...
add recSo, you thought NGE was too straightforward? Lain made too much sense? Cat Soup and Angel's Egg are both exercises in convoluted, overly artistic anime that should entertain you. Both are visually incredible, and both will leave you completely and utterly clueless. And that's nice, sometimes.
Cat Soup and Angel's Egg manage to do what few others can, that is to express an abstract tale through surreal use of animation style and little to no speech to draw in a ‘thinking' audience. Both are must sees for fans of strange but compelling anime that are truly stunning if just to look at.
Cat Soup and Angel's Egg, though very different in subject matter and storyline, both require a suspension of disbelief to be entirely enjoyed. Don't ask "how are they doing that?" or "why!?" ... just go with the flow, and the artwork and every-direction-at-once storylines will pull you in.
Cat Soup is whimsical with a meandering milieu, whereas Angel's Egg takes place in a stable setting and has incredibly dark and edgy overtones. However, if you enjoyed one because it's a visual feast that remains senseless unless you motivate your brain to make it make sense, then definitely try the other.
Mind Game
- Movie
- 2004
Nishi has been in love with Myon since he was 9 years old. They both had feelings for each other, but due to Nishi's cowardice their relationship never became more than friendship. Now, in the present, Nishi is 20 years old and aims to be a great manga artist; but he still loves Myon. After years of being apart they meet again, but she tells him that she's thinking of marrying her boyfriend. Nishi is still a coward so he accepts it and wishes her luck. While they're talking at her older sister's restaurant a pair of yakuza walk in looking for their father. One of the yakuza starts harassing Myon and out of anger Nishi chooses to finally take a stand -- but he is shot and dies. Now, in limbo, he chooses to live again; but will he really live any differently than before?
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4 people think you'd like this because...
add recBoth Mind Game and Cat Soup are must-sees if you enjoy mind-warping experimental animation. The major difference between the two (besides length) is that Mind Game actually has a coherent plot, but both are nonetheless extremely imaginative anime that push the definition of what an "anime" can be.
Both Mind Game and Cat Soup are must-sees if you enjoy mind-warping experimental animation. The major difference between the two (besides length) is that Mind Game actually has a coherent plot, but both are nonetheless extremely imaginative anime that push the definition of what an "anime" can be.
Both Anime traverse the realm of the Afterlife through bizzar, surrealist imagery. The symbols and situations in both are highly imaginative.
After a brush with Death, the protagonists from Cat Soup and Mind Game go on a bizarre journey through exotic locale(s). Mind Game seems like a grown-up Cat Soup, and (given the greater abundance in dialouge) it's over-arching plot is easier to grasp. The two are styled similarly, though the story and art of Cat Soup are rather more slow-paced. I was very surprised to learn they weren't from the same studio.
Kaiba
- TV (12 eps)
- 2008
- Spring 2008
Welcome to a world in which memories can be transferred from body to body; old painful memories can be removed and replaced with new ones, and the poor sell their bodies to the rich to survive. Waking up one day, Kaiba finds himself in a strange place with no memories of his past and a mysterious hole in his chest; the only clue as to his identity is a locket with a picture of a girl hanging from his neck. Armed with this token, Kaiba must now travel across the galaxy to discover who he is and what the girl in the locket means to him; however, his journey will bring him into contact with many people whose lives have been tragically affected by the manipulation of memories. All too soon it becomes clear that something is very wrong with this world…
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4 people think you'd like this because...
add recBoth anime are incredibly surreal, with the visuals constantly shifting and morphing - both also have an simplistic and childlike art style depicting adult themes, and finally both shows revolve around a search for something vague.
Kaiba and Cat Soup can seem childish and innocent at the first glance but they have actually more depth and are something dark.
They are about characters discovering surreal and esoteric worlds (in the vein of Alice In Wonderful Land or The Little Prince). The story of Cat Soup is totally abstract and is more about symbolism while Kaiba has a complex story.
Both shows are really original and creative and never get boring. They are the best examples of surreal animation out there!
I think that if you liked the abstracted nature of the themes and ideas, as well as the bizarreness and creativity of the animation, then Kaiba might be right up your alley. Kaiba actually has a narrative with developed characters and a distinct setting, however, it uses its animation style to provide the kind of mindboggling moments that Cat Soup does.
Cat Soup and Kaiba both have a surreal, wimsical quality to their story, characters and animation. Their worlds are both wildly imaginative and fantastic, but a solid realization of the characters and their circumstances keep them grounded and engaging.
