Tentacle-Free Anime: "Tokyo Godfathers" (2003) Review

- by Kazekun, 23 December 2013

Ah, Christmas time is here. Along with jingling bells, and horses pulling sleighs it has brought with it, at least where I live, freezing temperatures and a lot of ice. Brrrr. But as icky as that sounds, there is one saving grace to the weather: a Christmas movie. And no, I don't mean those cheesy Lifetime films or the classics we all know and love, but a true undercurrent creature that deserves to be seen by everyone. Especially at Christmas time. I love Christmas, and I love the holiday spirit but nothing puts me in the mood quite like this little piece from film legend Satoshi Kon.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003); 
Episodes: 1 (movie); 
Studio: Madhouse;
Rating: PG-13

Summary: On a Christmas Eve, three Tokyo homeless – mid-aged alcoholic man Gin, high school runaway girl Miyuki, and former drag queen Hana – were searching dumpsters and trash bags for possible Christmas gifts for themselves, when cries from a baby drew their attention. Believing this was a gift from God, Hana, who couldn't have a baby of “her” own, vowed to take care of the abandoned baby girl. Together the trio then began searching for the baby's mother. [AnimeNewsNetwork.com]

I'm going to try and be as objective as possible here, but when it comes to Satoshi Kon works I have a very special place in my hear reserved just for them. The late director knew how to make me think, squee, screech in horror and just overall give me wonder in the very unique imagery I was looking at. Tokyo Godfathers is no exception and really elicits each one of those feelings from me every single time I watch it. It has become sort of a Christmas tradition for me to watch it every December.

The dvd cover.

Kon was known for his bizarre ideas that shouldn't work but somehow end up working quite well. A story set on Christmas about three homeless people who find a boy? Talk about a dysfunctional family. Many people do not find themselves rooting for the homeless or even choosing to associate with them, yet Kon finds a way to make each one of their stories relevant, understandable and the characters themselves endearing.

The attention to detail in this is also astonishing as our protagonists travel through the big city. Tokyo looks lived-in, big and ever expanding. We get to see the city from the mean streets, the lowest of places, the underbelly that is hardly touched upon and can only be seen from throwing yourself into that world. If she ever remembers these events, the newborn Kyoko whom the trio find will have quite the experience with the lowlifes of Japan.

We get to experience the mafia, the treatment of the homeless by some despicable teenagers, the outlook society has on those who've given up on hope, and drag culture at its finest representation. And all on a snowy, bitter backdrop. If there is one thing that I could say this movie could do better is lay off the sheer amount coincidences that appear in this movie. A lot of these characters get really lucky breaks, and while I understand for a feel god movie and a happy ending there has to be some liberties taken, but there's just so much in this movie that it can some times take me out of the story.

Hana, Miyuki and Gin.

Gin, Hana, and Miyuki are some of the most unlikely heroes to ever grace the silver screen. Gin has the deepest back story of the three and the closest associated with the main story in the movie. He also has the best character arc of the three. But of the trio, Hana has to be my favorite with her firey demeanor and strong love for all things. How badly she wants to be a mother and yet see Kiyoko reunited with her own. That is the biggest thing I love about this movie, in all honesty, is how these characters could just leave Kiyoko to die or take Kiyoko for themselves and raise her, but instead choose to find out why Kiyoko was left behind see her happy with her own family.

Our three heroes try to stay warm in wintery Tokyo.

The animation is stunning and detailed. It's been 10 years since TG came out and this movie remains beautiful to look at. As I said earlier, Tokyo looks lived in, dirty and grimy yet at the same time hauntingly mesmerizing. Like you want to visit there and see all the sites you can, even the low places that most wouldn't want to associate themselves with. To see Tokyo covered in a big blanket of snow is also a treat, sometimes the snow looks like you just want to swim in it, and other times it makes everything look heavy and cold.

The music is great too, it's fun and unconventional for a story such as this. It lends itself more to the comedic aspects of this film than the serious parts but even the serious parts are made more fun thanks to the cheery soundtrack. Tokyo Godfathers has no English dub that I am aware of so you will only be able to watch it with subtitles, but I think if it had ever got a dub the story just wouldn't be the same. While this movie finds magic in feeling like it can be placed in almost any city, there is a treat to keeping it firmly set with the original Japanese cast.

Hana and her mother embody the reactions caused by many scenes in this movie.

If you're looking for a movie this holiday season to watch and bring in the Christmas cheer, look no further than Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon. And if it helps you any with your choice, just know this  movie was also co-wrote by the creator of Wolf's Rain, and head script-writer for Cowboy Bebop, Keiko Nobumoto. If your looking for just a fun movie as a movie buff or an entertainment fan then I will tell you the exact same thing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you all get exactly what you wished for! See you next year!

Final Score: 4 Crazy Homeless Heroes out of 5


Have you seen "Tokyo Godfathers"? Enjoyed the review? Let us know in the comments!

Tagged: Tentacle-Free Anime.

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