Midori

Midori, also known as Shoujo Tsubaki or "Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show," is a haunting 1992 Japanese animated film based on Suehiro Maruo's manga of the same name. Directed by Hiroshi Harada, the film features the voice talents of Minako Naka, Norihiko Morishita, and Keinosuke Okamoto. The film is famed for its independent production and it’s disquieting exploration of a distressed adolescent's life.

The story is set in the early years of the Showa era (1926–1989), a time of profound societal changes in Japan. The film unwraps the life of an innocent young heroine named Midori, voiced by Minako Naka. Midori is an adolescent orphan girl who is forced to navigate through a cruel and unforgiving world after the death of her mother, with no relatives to turn to. Her last resort is to join a traveling freak show, led by a man named Mr. Arashi. Norihiko Morishita voices Mr. Arashi, a stern and heartless showman who runs the “freak show” circus.

At the surface, Midori depicts the harrowing world of a traveling freak show, providing a display of strange characters and bizarre acts that are far removed from the glossy charm traditionally associated with circuses. The cast of characters includes a variety of characters like a dwarf, a hermaphrodite, and other beings with different physical deformities, each possessing their own subplot, enriching the narrative's complexity.

Keinosuke Okamoto’s character supplies an element of hope and purity in Midori’s horrific reality. It is through this character that Midori experiences a semblance of love and normalcy, as he shields and encourages her in the tormenting world of the freak show. This element of romance and hope makes the film more emotionally appealing.

The director, Hiroshi Harada, delves deep into themes of poverty, survival, cruelty, and dehumanization. He seamlessly captures the surrealism and dark nature of Suehiro Maruo's original manga while also instilling his own creative touch. The articulation of the class disparity, the stark realities of life in Showa Era Japan, and the unyielding determination of Midori to navigate through her life makes the overarching narrative a chilling exploration of human resilience and vulnerability.

The animation style is distinctive and fitting for the film's cruel and grotesque themes - the artistic direction evokes raw and nostalgic feelings, echoing Japanese paintings and early Anime style with a gothic twist. The film’s color palette combines bold, vibrant hues with a background of muted, gloomy shades, further amplifying the stark contrast between Midori’s innocence and the menacing world she inhabits.

Noteworthy is the film's original musical score, which greatly enhances the overall viewing experience. The musical arrangement balances bewitching melodies with unsettling scores, adeptly encapsulating Midori’s ever oscillating emotional states.

Midori also raises ethical questions about society’s perception of “the other,” and the idea of normality. The characters in the freak show are not portrayed merely as victims or villains, but as people with their own dreams, tragedies, and emotions. This creates an element of empathy, making characters relatable without losing the eerie intent of the narrative.

The film, however, is not for the faint-hearted. It portrays some unsettling scenes and intense themes that may distress some viewers. The shocking visuals, combined with the grim narrative, might be off-putting to some, but for those who seek an unconventional animation that challeneges traditional norms, Midori proves to be a unique visual experience.

In summary, Midori is a dark, atmospheric film that encapsulates the grit and resilience of its eponymous protagonist amid societal hardship. It is a movie not just about the spectacle of oddities and macabre, but also an examination of human existence, resilience, and vulnerability. It's a piece of art that dares to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling, making it a significant entry into the canon of Japanese animated films. Midori is a testament to creative endurance and the power of independent filmmaking that leaves a lasting impression to its viewers.