For Almost Forgotten Stories

Story: For the most part, the description above covers what happens. However, the story itself is filled to the brim with symbolism. That, paired with 0 dialogue makes for a rather cerebral experience, something I've come to really enjoy with Naoyuki's work. The story itself is a process of confusion, community, and ultimately, convection. It's very ethereal, something that steps out beyond the standard westernized idea that one must do things on their own, take it on the forehead at all times, and then die with those burdens. Naoyuki tells a different narrative where someone embarks on a journey carrying their burdens but finds themselves in needof others help. However, it never states that a sense of singularity is negative. There's a sequence just after our protagonist communes with others that he must travel alone for a short spell before he meets that which will ultimately relieve him of that which weighs him down. Art: Although the stop-motion isn't all that great, the artwork put into the settings and characters is incredibly compelling. It's very evident that each backdrop, character, and prop is indicative of something far more than what it initially looks like. I found it a lot of fun to think about what they may represent, and then felt an incredible sense of accomplishment upon finally realizing what it may be. Sound: Very lo-fi. Songs are cut short. Some songs have mistakes as well. Unfortunate, but fitting. Still requires points off, however. Character: Everything represents something. Beyond that, there's nothing else. Don't expect to add anybody to your favorites. Enjoyment: Quaint. The claymation, music, and symbolism made for something I didn't expect and then felt glad I experienced it. It's very enjoyable, and perhaps my favorite work from Naoyuki Tsuji. Final Thoughts: The many burdens he carries are self-afflictions that cross from irrational issues to very pervasive ones. Although vague, I'd like to think his mask is representative of self-hate, something that can only be defeated by community. As someone who spends a lot of their time alone, I find this one incredibly easy to relate too. It's an irrational weight to carry, self-hate, but only through others can I find myself rid of such an ugly burden. There's plenty of other things to connect to in this work, and I found a lot of it to be very inspirational. I'm definitely going to recommend this to a lot of friends. ((If you liked this review, friend me for new reviews on other works, both manga and anime!))