Anime Review: Metropolis (2001)

This is Metropolis, the Japanese animation, directed by Rintaro with Katsuhiro Otomo as the script writer. It is based loosely off the same title manga by Osamu Tezuka.

The story, in short, is about a little boy Kenichi befriending a robot Tima. Neither of them know that she's a robot. Their journey ends with them confronting Duke Red, the guy who hired a scientist to construct Tima. You can read more about Metropolis Anime (wikipedia.org) but you'll be reading the spoilers.

The art direction is impressive. The city has a very industrial yet retro style to it with the buildings are designed using with strong art deco influence. It is a very strange world, one created believably enough for humans and robots to co-exist. The use of 3D computer graphics blends seamlessly with the traditional animation.

The character design takes its influence from Osamu Tezuka. While it certainly looks suitable in this anime, it really departs from more common stylized Japanese anime characters. Because of that, on first sight, it might not appeal to a broad audience. After all, tastes have evolved since the Metropolis was published in 1949.

The best thing about this anime is the Jazz soundtrack. It is very classy and evokes a very timeless feeling. The climax scene uses Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" so perfectly that you'll probably remember the scene whenever you hear the same song in the future. It sticks.

Metropolis is a very worthy anime but certainly is not for everyone.

4 out of 5 stars.