Review of Tokyo Godfathers (2003) by Fritz K — 04 Jun 2015

An out-of-this-world anime film!

I did appreciate it and felt well entertained while watching it on an airplane flight recently.

I'm always amazed at the European/western elements anime films sometimes contain. This one is a take on the christmas story.

The characters and the story is complex and meandering, like an improvisation, but it does all make sense in the end.

What I did not like about the movie is the stereotyping of "the lowest of the low" which the three homeless people represent - the catholic "sinners in need of the mercy of forgiving".

I am especially having problems with the effeminate homeless drag queen character.

It seems to be inspired by "Spider Woman" but it's really quite an awful clichee that's spooled off here.

But the film does have its share of great moments, great visual impressions of a wintery cityscape, enough epic plot twists and a warm heart after all.

While it wasn't my favorite anime ever I was struck by its remarkable complexity and appreciated seeing it.