Review of Jellyfish Eyes (2013) by Biz C — 12 May 2014

This is a beautiful, insanely inventive combo of low-brow and high-tech, wrapped in a classic coming-of-age story with deep human and political themes. Set in post-Fukushima Japan, it is the story of sweet, but troubled youngster, Masashi, and his struggle to fit in with his new classmates.

Having moved to a new town with his mother, due to an environmental disaster which apparently killed his father, Masashi discovers a friendly, playful, flying jellyfish-like being living in their new cramped apartment.

He quickly discovers that his new classmates also have similar pet-beings,(called F.R.I.E.N.D.s) which they control with Gameboy-like consoles in after-school battle royales. Beneath the playful exterior, though, Masashi quickly begins to see that these F.

R.I.E.N.D.s mask a darker force at work in his new town. This is the point of departure for Masashi's journey, where he battles ever larger foes, culminating in a climactic sequence that would make any daikaiju eiga aficionado applaud.

This amazingly original film is also hilarious, and at times, profoundly touching. It is must-see for anyone interested in the movement of postmodern art known as Superflat, by the movement's own founder, the brilliant and wildly idiosyncratic Takashi Murakami.

It may have you shouting 'Kurage-bo!' long after you've left the theater.