Steamboy: A thorough review of the steam adventure

Steamboy: An epic symphony of science and adventure

"Steamboy" is an epic story of science and adventure set in 19th century England. This is the first work in 16 years from Otomo Katsuhiro, who directed, wrote and created the original story. It is a feature-length animated film that took nine years to produce and cost 2.4 billion yen in total. It was released in theaters on July 16, 2004, through the Toho network. In its 126-minute length, it depicts scientific progress and human desire, as well as the adventure and hope that arise from their intersection.

story

In the mid-19th century, England was on the brink of the world's first World's Fair. Ray, a boy who loves inventing, was waiting for his inventor father Eddie and grandfather Lloyd to return. One day, Ray received a mysterious metal ball. It was from his grandfather Lloyd. However, immediately after receiving it, men claiming to be emissaries of the O'Hara Foundation appeared and tried to steal the ball. Ray ran away with the ball on a self-propelled one-wheeled car that he had made himself, but he was caught by the men chasing him in a steam gear mechanism and locked up in a pavilion at the World's Fair. There, Ray was reunited with his father Eddie, who was supposed to be in America, and learned the secret of the metal ball. It was a sphere that contained high-pressure steam at a high density, that is, a marvelous invention called the Steam Ball, which had the power to change the history of mankind. The Foundation was trying to sell that power as a weapon all over the world.

"Grandpa didn't invent the Steamball for war!"

The fight between Ray and the Foundation over the ball soon becomes so big that even the British Army is called in. In the midst of this turmoil, more secrets about the steam ball are revealed, raising the question of whether science is the hope of humanity or forbidden knowledge. Believing in the true power that science can possess, Ray becomes "Steamboy" and takes off into the sky.

Commentary

16 years after "AKIRA," Otomo Katsuhiro's long-awaited new work, "Steamboy," is a feature-length animated film that took nine years to produce and cost 2.4 billion yen to produce. Set in 19th century England, at a time when steam engines were beginning to dominate industry, an "amazing invention" that embodied scientific progress and human desires was about to be created. Ray, a boy born into the Steam family of inventors, is entrusted with a mysterious metal ball by his grandfather Lloyd, and from that moment he is embroiled in a terrible conspiracy and adventure. This metal sphere is a miraculous invention with unprecedented energy - the steam ball. Is this great invention a "miracle that brings happiness" or a "devil's invention"? The relentless pursuit of a powerful organization that is after the steam ball, the conflict between Ray's father Eddie and grandfather Lloyd, who are at odds with each other due to their different ideals about science, and Scarlett, the daughter of a wealthy man, who appears before Ray. As various characters intersect, the story accelerates towards an unprecedented ending.

This work aims to be a classic adventure movie filled with mysterious charm, as if you have jumped into a world of paintings. It has a total of 180,000 drawings. Digital and hand-drawn collaboration creates a meticulous visual expression. This overwhelming production aims to create a purely thrilling action movie. The chase over the steam ball. Steam mechas appear one after another on land, sea, and air, and there are many exciting adventures. This is the ultimate visual that incorporates everything that Otomo Katsuhiro, a manga artist, animator, and film director, has to offer -- that is Steamboy. Don't miss this new world of Otomo, which is cutting edge, nostalgic, and full of surprises!

cast

James Ray Stimm/Suzuki Anne/Scarlett O'Hara St. Johns/Konishi Manami/James Lloyd Stimm/Nakamura Yoshio/James Edward Stimm/Tsukayama Masatane/Robert Stephenson/Kodama Kiyoshi/David/Sawamura Kazuki/Archibald Simon/Saito Akira/Alfred Smith/Terajima Susumu Jason/Inada Toru/Ray's mother/Aizawa Keiko/Emma/Kobayashi Sanae/Hibi Aiko

Main Staff

・Original story, script, director: Katsuhiro Otomo・Scriptwriter: Sadayuki Murai・Chief animation director: Tatsuya Tonomaru・Mecha and effects animation director: Takashi Hashimoto・Animation directors: Atsushi Irie, Katsumi Matsuda, Tsutomu Kurita, Yasuyuki Shimizu, Hisashi Eguchi・Art director: Shinji Kimura・CGI director: Hiroaki Ando・Director: Shinji Takagi・Technical director: Shinichi Matsumi・Digital composite: Mitsuhiro Sato・Editor: Takeshi Seyama・Music: Steve Jablonski・Sound director: Keiichi Momose・Executive producer: Shigeru Watanabe・Producers: Shinji Komori, Hideyuki Tomioka・Animation production: Sunrise・Production: STEAMBOY Production Committee (Bandai Visual, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Bandai, Dentsu, TBS, Sunrise, Toho, IMAGICA, Culture Publishers)

Main Characters

Ray (James Ray Stim)
The protagonist is a 13-year-old boy. He inherited the blood of his inventor father Eddie and grandfather Lloyd, and loves inventing and machine building. He and his mother are waiting for his father and grandfather, who went to the United States for research, to return home from their home in Manchester. One day, he gets a package delivered by Lloyd and becomes embroiled in a major incident that holds the fate of humanity at stake.
・Scarlett (Scarlett O'Hara St. Johns)
Granddaughter of the president of the O'Hara Foundation. 14 years old. Capricious and selfish. She even expresses her feelings to her pet Chihuahua Columbus. However, when she meets Ray, who is the same age as her, she becomes interested in him. She is a rich girl who is always looking for something interesting and messes with those around her.
Lloyd (James Lloyd Stimm)
Ray's grandfather. 65 years old. He went to the United States to research and develop a steam ball, which had been his lifelong dream, but he had an accident due to a dispute with his son Eddie over the research direction. However, he succeeded in developing the steam ball in exchange for Eddie's injury.
Eddie (James Edward Stim)
Ray's father. 45 years old. He worked with his father (Ray's grandfather) Lloyd on the development of the Steam Ball, which dramatically increases the power of steam energy. He was seriously injured in an accident during an experiment.
・Robert (Robert Stephenson)
Son of George Stephenson. Together with his famous father, known as the "Father of Railways," he played an important role in the Industrial Revolution. He took over from his father when he retired and wields hidden power within the British government. Robert is also an engineer himself, and is a long-time rival of Eddie.
David
25 years old. A talented engineer who works at Robert's factory. He assists Robert in his activities as his faithful right-hand man. He is also one of those who became fascinated with invention and science.
Simon (Archibald Simon)
He is the hired president of the O'Hara Foundation. He is 46 years old. He only thinks of the Steamball as a way to make money. When he finds out that Lloyd has delivered the Steamball to Manchester, he has his subordinates take it. He is a ruthless merchant of death, but Scarlett cannot stand up to him.
・Alfred (Alfred Smith)
As Simon's subordinate, he is in charge of the O'Hara Foundation's dirty work. He pursues Ray in an attempt to steal the Steam Ball.
Jason Simon's subordinate. He works with Alfred to hunt down Ray using the Foundation's latest weapons.
・Ray's mother, Edward, and stepfather Lloyd are often away on research, so they support the Stim family. She is an ordinary mother who is passionate about education.
A childhood friend of Emma Ray, she stays with the Stim family while her parents are away on a trip. She is a reliable girl who helps with the housework.
Thomas: Emma's younger brother. He comes to the Steam house with his sister and gets into trouble over the steam ball.

Main Robot Items

・Steam Ballroid is a highly compact form of steam pressure, the most advanced form of motive energy. Its power is far beyond that of steam power, and it possesses incredible strength.
- Self-propelled one-wheeler: This is something like a prototype of an electric-assisted bicycle, assembled by Ray in his home workshop from sketches in Lloyd's invention notebook. It uses pedaling power and a steam engine.
The O'Hara Foundation Pavilion was built to exhibit at the London World's Fair. Inside the pavilion are stored a collection of land, sea, and air weapons that make the most of cutting-edge technology and steam power.
The primary weapon of the O'Hara Foundation. He wears a powered suit equipped with a steam engine in a backpack on his back. Steam spews out of the backpack.
The second weapon owned by the O'Hara Foundation. It has a propeller on top of the backpack, wings on both sides, ailerons, and a vertical stabilizer at the rear. In addition to powerful pressure, it also uses aerodynamics.
Gear Mecha A steam-powered mecha owned by the Ohara Foundation. The cockpit is divided into front and rear. Both the front and rear wheels are driven, giving it excellent off-road capabilities. Its weight is strong enough to shatter roads and destroy houses it hits.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Steamboy" is an epic tale of science and adventure, and has been highly praised for its visual expression and storytelling. In particular, the worldview of steam engines, set in 19th century England, is visually very appealing and has the power to draw the audience in. In addition, the theme of scientific progress and human desire raises universal issues that are relevant to modern society, and is deeply moving.

This film is highly recommended for people who are interested in science and technology, who like adventure stories, and for fans of Katsuhiro Otomo. Ray's growth and adventures, as well as the battle over the steam ball, will provide the audience with a lot of excitement and emotion. It is also recommended for watching with the family, as it is enjoyable for both children and adults.

Furthermore, "Steamboy" is a work that makes you feel the evolution of animation technology. The intricate image expression that combines digital and hand-drawn animation is not only visually beautiful, but is also an important element that adds depth to the story. It is a work that makes you feel the potential of animation, and is a must-see for anime fans.

Finally, "Steamboy" is a new challenge for Katsuhiro Otomo and a work filled with his creative talent. If you want to enjoy a symphony of science and adventure, you should definitely watch this movie. You will surely be drawn into its grand world view and moving story.