Cencoroll (2009) Online

My first impression of this half hour short film was that it felt like I was watching a more mature Pokemon, except without the cute creatures. Cencoroll is an independent anime singlehandedly created by Atsuya Uki, which supposedly took over two years to complete. Taking that into consideration, it is a visual delight. There are four main characters: Tetsu, Cenco, Yuki and Shu. Tetsu, the high school student, is in control of his 'pet' aka weird shapeshifting creature, called Cenco.

Yuki, a fellow student, accidentally discovers Tetsu's secret, and all three of them eventually make an enemy, Shu, who also controls such creatures. Confrontations leads to battles between the creatures; thus the reason why I felt it was a mature Pokemon. The unique aspect is the entire tone of the film. What I mean by that: it is all very subdued and subtle. There are intense fights, but even those seem peculiarly mellow. It is strangely calm but it provides the necessary humour and surprisingly draws you in. Though bizarre, Cencoroll is highly original and a treat to watch.

This is not an easy film to review, because of it's very odd content. Cencoroll is about these kids with connection to some really odd, shapeshifting creatures.

Pokemon is one reference by a previous reviewer, that's pretty accurate but to me it also reminds me of other anime such as:X (1996 based on a manga by the collective Clamp), Chôjin densetsu Urotsukidôji (1989) with no gore, nudity etc.

Appearantly according to internet sources it's based on animator Atsuya Ukis own manga which I haven't read. I can't really say whether or not these are similar in tone and style, and what this surreal story really is about.

But regardless this is a very fine animated film, I just wished that it was feature. Atsuya Uki did according to some sources EVERYTHING himself, animation, editing, direction etc, which makes this film even more impressive.