Cast
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Yui Horie
as Ai (voice)
Misato Fukuen
as Buke (voice)
Fumiko Orikasa
as Sari (voice)
Yu Kobayashi
as Yuu (voice)
Takatoshi Kaneko
as Alberto (voice)
Masaki Terasoma
as Apollo (voice)
Yurika Hino
as Bianka (voice)
Yasuhiro Takato
as Saruo (voice)
Kazuya Tatekabe
as Alan (voice)
Yuji Ueda
as Sakurajima (voice)
Hisao Egawa
as Daruman (voice)
Naoki Tatsuta
as Tanukichi (voice)
Noriko Namiki
as Tsubukichi (voice)
Kenichi Ogata
as Kotobuki (voice)
Akio Suyama
as Perio (voice)
Crew
Director
- Joji Shimura
Producer
- Fumiyoshi Kajiya
- Makoto Ōmura
- Takuya Yui
- 油井卓也
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Animal Crossing: The Movie examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Joji Shimura brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2006, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Animal Crossing: The Movie took approximately 6 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 87 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 143 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The costume department created over 405 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2006, when this film is released:
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Animal Crossing: The Movie shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Arve Rezzle: Mechanized Fairies, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Animal Crossing: The Movie offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Revue Starlight ―The LIVE Edel― Delight and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind explore similar territory, Animal Crossing: The Movie stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 16, 2006
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Revenue: $16,200,000
