Violence Voyager

Violence Voyager, directed by Ujicha, is a unique and visually captivating Japanese film from 2018 that presents a classic story of friendship, adventure, and combat against evil, all framed in a brilliantly animated style that is seldom seen in the industry.

The story follows two young friends named Bobby and Akkun who set off on a journey to explore the serene mountainous landscape around their rural town. The duo's adventurous odyssey takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon an amusement park named "Violence Voyager," covertly nestled within the mountain’s vast wilderness. Enticed by the novelty of the amusement park and driven by their curiosity, they decide to explore it not knowing the dark secrets stored inside.

One of the core aspects of Violence Voyager that stands out is its unique and unconventional form of animation, known as "gekimation." This is a labor-intensive, handmade style of animation where the characters and the sets are intricately designed and operate in harmony to create a spectacle onstage. With the use of meticulous detail and hand-painted cutouts, it presents a nostalgic, yet otherworldly, picture-book aesthetic, simultaneously blending elements of horror and science fiction into it.

Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita headlines this film, voicing Bobby who showcases her impressive ability to express a wide range of emotions. She brings life to Bobby, a captivating character that viewers will empathize with. Her performance is ably complemented by Kellen Goff, the American voice actor known for his roles in several popular anime and video games. Another standout featured in the cast is Japanese voice actress Nao Hanai.

Throughout the course of the film, Bobby and Akkun encounter a series of profoundly bizarre adversities as they unravel the ghostly mystery of Violence Voyager. The film interweaves this labyrinthine narrative with elements of thrilling science fiction and remains tense from start to finish, cleverly avoiding any cliche horror tropes. The narrative does not shy away from exploring darker and more disturbing themes, testing the mettle of both the characters and viewers.

While the movie does contain several scenes of intense violence, it duly fits its overall theme and aesthetic, adding to the overall effect of the film. Ujicha, the film’s director, ambitiously presents this violence in such a way that it adds up to the storytelling, pushing the boundaries of the narrative and challenging the viewers' sensibilities.

Violence Voyager presents itself as genre-bending cinema, masterfully combining elements of horror, adventure, and science fiction into a singularly unique vision. It seamlessly blends a myriad of diverse elements to provide an engrossing viewing experience and deserves recognition for pushing the boundaries of animation.

As far as the music score, it pairs equally eerie and ominous tunes along with the narrative, reinforcing the scenes of thrill and terror. The score enriches the escalating sense of doom, resonating well with the unfolding plotline and accentuating the overall mood of the film.

In conclusion, Violence Voyager is a bold cinematic experiment that melds a nostalgic aesthetic with a horrifying narrative, breathing fresh life into the world of animation. Its brilliantly grotesque design, compelling storytelling, and flawless voice acting combine into a truly remarkable and unforgettable piece of art. The film creatively disrupts norms and dictates what animation can be, or more precisely, what it can aspire to be.

Violence Voyager is a one-of-a-kind movie, designed to horrify and surprise equally. The sheer force of its visual style and its uncanny surreal narrative exudes a distinct charm, making it a worthwhile ride for those seeking a cinematic experience far removed from the mainstream.