Madhouse is ON FIRE!

Japanese animation studio Madhouse has got a of shows in production this year that showcases an unbelievable amount of talent. First up, a movie by Mamoru Hosoda, a super-talented animator who was originally supposed to direct Howl's Moving Castle for Ghibli but dropped out of the project after some problems with the production. Ghibli's loss (and after seeing the mess that was Miyazaki's version, I think it truly was a loss!) was Toei Animation's gain, though, as he ended up directing the fantastic movie One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island for them. How good could a One Piece movie be? Well, you'd be surprised! The movie brings out the title's theme of comradeship in a more thoughtful, mature way than the series' does while featuring it's fair share of spectacular action scenes- most notably, it's got the greatest punch EVER animated. So I wouldn't be exaggerating when I say I'm really excited about Mamoru Hosoda's new work, despite knowing nothing about it!

Madhouse has also announced Masaaki Yuasa's new TV series! WHOOHOO!!! The man is a complete genius and directed my favourite movie of 2005 and still the best animated movie made in the past 10 years- MIND GAME. His new TV series is called Kemonozume, which translates to Claw of the Beast. The website's got a picture of a Yakuza-looking fella with a katana about to kiss a blond woman who's right arm ends in a horrifically huge claw, drawn in Yuasa's characteristic sketchy style. Running the site's text through Google Translate reveals that the show is a "fear x action x love story"- seems the woman is "the most fearfully monster" and the man is "the strongest monster hunter." Of course, they're in love. The show promises "stylish action" like nothing seen before. Now that would be total hyberbole from any other quarter, but I trust Yuasa to live up to that promise.

Next up, Madhouse is producing a TV series directed by Mitsuo Iso- an animator who's impressive body of work includes Gundam 0080 stellar opening sequence, the spider tank sequence in Ghost in the Shell and the 1st and 19th episodes of Evangelion. He's got a very accomplished style and a keen eye for movement so it'll be interesting to see how he holds up directing an entire series- something he's never done before.

The fun doesn't stop there! They've also got a new movie by Satoshi Kon (who directed by 9th favourite movie of 2005- Tokyo Godfathers) in development and a a new movie scripted by Taste of Tea (a brilliant live-action movie starring one of the coolest Japanese actors working today- Asano Tadanobu) director Katsuhito Ishii and directed by Takeshi Koike, who directed the surreal, hyper-kinetic animation Dead Leaves. Whew. That's a lot of good stuff coming from Madhouse this year. I can't wait to see 'em!