The appeal and reviews of the "Chair" anime: What are the must-see works?

The appeal and evaluation of "The Chair": A piece that colors the history of animation

The world of animation has produced many masterpieces throughout its history. Among them, "The Chairs," released in 1962, is a work that should still be talked about today as a work that explored the possibilities of animation. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the appeal and reputation of "The Chairs," as well as its background, behind-the-scenes stories, and its modern significance.

Summary of "Chair"

"The Chair" is an animated film that was released on January 1, 1962. It is based on an original anime and was produced by director Yoji Kuri. It was released in theaters and is a short work condensed into just one episode, 10 minutes long. Below is a summary of the basic information.

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

January 1, 1962 - January 1, 0000

■Frequencies

10 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Production

Yoji Kuri

Story and Themes

The story of "Chair" is simple, yet contains a profound theme. The story depicts a single chair as the protagonist, and follows the journey of the chair as it travels to various places, meeting and parting with people. The chair is more than just an object; it functions as a symbol of human society, reflecting the joys, sorrows, loneliness and bonds of the people who live there.

The theme of this work is "presence" and "absence." A chair is always there, but its value only emerges when someone sits on it. Conversely, when no one sits on it, the chair reverts to being just an object. Through the image of the chair oscillating between "presence" and "absence," the director portrays the fragility and strength of human relationships.

Animation Techniques and Expressions

"The Chair" uses cutting-edge animation techniques, even for its time in 1962. Director Yoji Kuri skillfully combines abstract and concrete expressions to maximize the visual impact. In particular, the movement and transformation of the chair exudes the beauty and power that can only be achieved through hand-drawn animation.

The use of color is also distinctive. The film alternates between monochrome and color scenes to express the ups and downs of emotions and the flow of time. The monochrome scenes emphasize the loneliness and solitude of the chair, while the color scenes vividly depict the encounters with people and the joys they experience. This use of color not only creates a visual effect, but also contributes to the deepening of the story.

Background and secrets

The background to the production of "The Chair" strongly reflects director Yoji Kuri's philosophy and passion for animation. The director continued to pursue the possibilities of animation in postwar Japan and established his own unique style. "The Chair" is a work that can be considered the culmination of his work, a work that crystallizes the director's ideas and techniques.

The secret behind the production is that the director wrote the script, drew the storyboards, and even trained the animators. This consistent production system succeeded in enhancing the unity and completeness of the work. Although the production period was short, only a few months, the director's passion and the cooperation of the team allowed them to complete the film beautifully.

Recognition and Awards

"The Chairs" was highly praised from the time of its release. In particular, the artistic quality and theme of the animation was highly praised, and the film won numerous awards at film festivals both in Japan and abroad. For example, it won the Grand Prix at the Annecy International Animation Festival in 1962, and became known worldwide.

Critics have also praised the film as "a work that opened up new possibilities for animation," and it has been featured in many articles and books. It has been particularly praised for its use of an everyday object, a chair, as the main character, and for its use of abstract expression.

Modern Relevance

"The Chair" has not lost its significance even in modern times. Rather, it can be said that its value has increased as time passes. In modern society, material wealth and spiritual loneliness coexist, and the weakening of human relationships is considered a problem. "The Chair" is a work that sounds a warning about such modern society, and makes us think again about the importance of human relationships.

Furthermore, the film's pursuit of artistic and technical excellence in animation is a great reference for modern animators. "Chairs" is a work that proved that animation could exist as art, not just entertainment, and its influence continues to this day.

Recommendations and related works

After watching "The Chair," be sure to check out the following related works. These works are all masterpieces that, like "The Chair," pursue the artistic and thematic value of animation.

• "Spirited Away" (directed by Hayao Miyazaki)
• "Future Boy Conan" (directed by Hayao Miyazaki)
• "The Sea with Red Turtles" (directed by Michael Dudok de Wit)
• "Prayer at Dawn" (directed by Isao Takahata)

Like "The Chair," these works explore the possibilities of animation, and combine visual beauty with profound themes. By watching these works after watching "The Chair," you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of animation.

Conclusion

"The Chair" is a historic piece in the history of animation, and its artistry and themes continue to shine even today. This work, which crystallizes the passion and technique of director Yoji Kuri, offers many insights for those of us living in modern society. If you have the chance to see it in a theater, please go and see it. By experiencing the world of "The Chair," you will be able to experience the new charm and profound themes of animation.