"HUMAN LOST" Review: New possibilities for dystopian science fiction

"HUMAN LOST: No Longer Human": An anime film that questions the future of Japan and the meaning of human existence

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

novel

■ Release date

November 29, 2019 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toho Video Division

■Frequencies

110 minutes

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

- Original story: Osamu Dazai "No Longer Human"

■ Director

Fumitomo Kizaki

■ Production

・Animation Production: Polygon Pictures

■Works

©2019 HUMAN LOST Project

■ Story

"I've lived a life full of shame"
The year is 1936 - Tokyo, Japan has become a disease-free, long-lived nation that has conquered death through a medical revolution, and, as a result of economic activity that does not take the environment into consideration and a 19-hour work policy, has achieved the world's number one GDP and pension payments of 100 million yen.
One day, Oba Yozo, who lives a lazy life addicted to drugs outside the "Outside" of the Circular Route 16 where air pollution and poverty are widespread, rushes into the "Inside" of the Circular Route 7 where the privileged class live with a group of bikers and gets caught up in a fierce battle. There, Yozo encounters a strange form called a "Lost Body" and is saved by a woman with mysterious powers named Hiiragi Miko, and learns that he too has powers different from other people.
The man who was distributing the drugs among the gang of rebels and creating the Lost Bodies was "Masao Horiki," a man with the same powers as Yozo and Yoshiko. Masao said that all humans have "failed" in the overly advanced social system.
Masao Horiki acts for himself in order to bring about the collapse of civilization, while Miko Hiiragi acts for someone else in order to revive civilization. With 100 days to go until the "Human Passing Ceremony," a first-of-its-kind event to celebrate an average life expectancy of 120 years, Oba Yozo has been deprived of the escape route to death and has become something other than human. What will he choose in the end?
Are you a qualified human, or a failure?

■Explanation

A masterpiece of Japanese literature depicting the life of one man who ended up in ruin - Dazai Osamu's "No Longer Human."
This timeless masterpiece continues to have a profound impact on readers today with its profound view of life and death and literary quality.
A new original animated film has been born that embodies that spirituality and has been reconstructed by a group of leading creators.

■Cast

・Oba Yozo/Miyano Mamoru/Hiiragi Yoshiko/Hanazawa Kana/Horiki Masao/Sakurai Takahiro/Takeichi/Fukuyama Jun/Shibuta/Matsuda Kenichiro/Atsugi/Koyama Rikiya/Madame/Sawashiro Miyuki/Tsuneko/Chigasuga Haruka

■ Main staff

- Original story: Osamu Dazai "No Longer Human"
・Director / Fumitomo Kizaki・Supervisor / Katsuyuki Motohiro・Story concept and script / Tou Ubukata・Character design / Yusuke Kozaki・Graphic design / Tatsuya Kuwahara・CG supervisor / Takuma Ishibashi・Animation director / Hiroshi Otake・Art director / Shigemi Ikeda, Yukiko Maruyama・Color design / Hirono Noji・Director of photography / Akira Hirabayashi・Sound director / Yoshikazu Iwanami・Music / Yugo Kanno・Animation production / Polygon Pictures・Planning and production / MAGNET, Slow Curve・Distribution / Toho Visual Business Division

■ Main Characters

- Oba Yozo: A man who cannot find meaning in life in a society that has overcome death.
He holed himself up in the second floor of his bar, which served as both his studio and residence, painting and living a self-indulgent life addicted to drugs, alcohol and women.
At the urging of his friend Takeichi, he joins a gang of rebels in an "inside" raid and becomes embroiled in a struggle over the future.

■ Theme songs and music

・Theme song・HUMAN LOST feat. J. Balvin
・Lyrics and composition: m-flo, Emyli, Jose Alvaro Osorio
・Song: m-flo

The appeal and evaluation of "HUMAN LOST"

"HUMAN LOST: No Longer Human" is an original animated film set in a future Japan, based on Dazai Osamu's masterpiece novel "No Longer Human." The film features a stellar team of directors, Kizaki Fumitomo and screenwriter Ubukata Tou, and is characterized by high-quality CG animation by Polygon Pictures. Through the story of the protagonist, Oba Yozo, who has lost the meaning of life in a future society where death has been overcome, this work questions the meaning of human existence and the nature of society.

Story and Themes

In the year 1936, Japan has conquered death through a medical revolution, and is a disease-free, long-lived country with the world's No. 1 GDP and a pension payment of 100 million yen. However, at the same time, economic activities that do not consider the environment and 19-hour work policies are progressing, resulting in a society where air pollution and poverty are widespread. The protagonist, Oba Yozo, is at the bottom of this society, addicted to drugs and living a lazy life. One day, invited by his friend Takeichi, he and a group of bikers rush into "Inside," where the privileged class live, where he encounters a strange body called a "Lost Body." Yozo's life is saved by a woman with mysterious powers, Hiiragi Miko, and he learns that he too has powers different from other people.

The theme of this work is that humans have "failed" in an overly advanced social system. Horiki Masao, a man with the same powers as Yozo and Yoshiko, distributes drugs amongst gangs of rebels, creating Lost Bodies. He claims that all humans have "failed" in an overly advanced social system. Masao aims to destroy civilization, while Yoshiko aims to revive it. With 100 days to go until the "Human Passing Ceremony," a first-of-its-kind event to celebrate the average lifespan of 120 years, Yozo ponders what choice he will make.

Characters and cast

The protagonist, Oba Yozo, is played by Miyano Mamoru. He expresses his deep inner thoughts as a man who cannot find meaning in life in a society that has overcome death. Yozo's friend Takeichi is played by Fukuyama Jun, Hiiragi Miko, the woman who saves Yozo, is played by Hanazawa Kana, and Horiki Masao is played by Sakurai Takahiro. These actors realistically portray the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

Visuals and Music

The CG animation by Polygon Pictures depicts a realistic future of Japan. The contrast between the "outside" of the Circular Route 16 and the "inside" of the Circular Route 7 is particularly striking. The music by Yugo Kanno also adds to the atmosphere of the film. The theme song, "HUMAN LOST feat. J. Balvin," is by m-flo and is a song that symbolizes the theme of the film.

Ratings and Recommendations

"HUMAN LOST: No Longer Human" is an appealing work with a new interpretation based on the original work by Dazai Osamu and a story set in a future Japan. In particular, the theme of humans being "disqualified" in an overly advanced social system is relevant to modern society. Other highlights include Polygon Pictures' high-quality CG animation and a stellar cast.

This work is recommended not only for fans of Dazai Osamu, but also for those who like anime and science fiction. If you are interested in a story set in a future Japan and the theme of humanity's "disqualification," be sure to check it out. It is also recommended for those who are interested in Polygon Pictures' CG animation. It is a work that allows you to think about deep themes while enjoying the beauty of the images.

Related information

HUMAN LOST: No Longer Human was released on November 29, 2019 and distributed by Toho's Visual Division. It is a 110-minute long, one-episode film. It is based on Dazai Osamu's No Longer Human, directed by Kizaki Fuminori, and animated by Polygon Pictures. Copyright ©2019 HUMAN LOST Project.

This work is an appealing new interpretation based on the original work by Dazai Osamu, and a story set in a future Japan. In particular, the theme of humans being "disqualified" in an overly advanced social system is relevant to modern society. Other highlights include Polygon Pictures' high-quality CG animation and a stellar cast.

This work is recommended not only for fans of Dazai Osamu, but also for those who like anime and science fiction. If you are interested in a story set in a future Japan and the theme of humanity's "disqualification," be sure to check it out. It is also recommended for those who are interested in Polygon Pictures' CG animation. It is a work that allows you to think about deep themes while enjoying the beauty of the images.