The Sky Crawlers (film)
Encyclopedia
is a 2008 Japanese anime
film
, directed by Mamoru Oshii
. It is an adaptation of Hiroshi Mori
's novel of the same name
. It was released across Japanese theatres by Warner Bros. Japan
on August 2, 2008. Animated by Production I.G, the film was written by Chihiro Itō, featuring character designs by Tetsuya Nishio and music by Kenji Kawai
. The 3D CG animation
for the movie was produced by the Polygon Pictures
studio, who also produced the 3D CG for Oshii's previous film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
.
Author Mori had stated that he felt The Sky Crawlers was the "most difficult" of his works to adapt, and only gave his consent to the making of the film after learning of Oshii's involvement as director.
Sources:
The song used in the end credits, "Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete", sang by Ayaka
, was not included in the soundtrack.
.
The American release of the film differs from the Japanese release in that the song used during the ending credits of the Japanese version, Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete, by Ayaka, is not used in the American release.
, where it won the Future Film Festival Digital Award, and the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival
. Later, the film competed officially at the famed Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival, where it won three separate awards: the Jose Luis Guarner Critic Award, Best Original Soundtrack (for Kenji Kawai
) and an award given by the Carnet Jove Jury for "the best motion picture for a youth audience." The film was also in the official selection at the Helsinki International Film Festival and Stockholm International Film Festival
. The International Press Academy
nominated it for the Best Motion Picture.
Anime News Network
gave the film a B+.
The review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes
reported that 7 out of 9 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average score of 6.9 out of 10.
, was released for the Wii
in October 2008 in Japan. Both Mamoru Oshii and Hiroshi Mori were involved in consulting development for the game.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, directed by Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director, and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of popular anime, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer, Ghost in the Shell, and Patlabor 2...
. It is an adaptation of Hiroshi Mori
Hiroshi Mori (writer)
is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is famous for writing mystery novels – particularly his debut work The Perfect Insider, which won him the first Mephist Award in 1996 – but he considers himself to be a researcher as well as craftsman....
's novel of the same name
The Sky Crawlers
is a Japanese novel series by Hiroshi Mori. First published by Chuōkōron-shinsha in June 2001 and spanning five books, it follows the journeys and tribulations of a group of young fighter pilots involved in dogfight warfare, and is set during an alternate historical period. The series is unlike...
. It was released across Japanese theatres by Warner Bros. Japan
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
on August 2, 2008. Animated by Production I.G, the film was written by Chihiro Itō, featuring character designs by Tetsuya Nishio and music by Kenji Kawai
Kenji Kawai
, born April 23, 1957 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is a Japanese music composer, for motion pictures, anime movies, video games and televised programs. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other countries in Asia, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror,...
. The 3D CG animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
for the movie was produced by the Polygon Pictures
Polygon Pictures
is a Japanese 3DCG anime studio.They have animated a wide variety of content, from commercials for Shiseido, which included numerous of their original characters, such as the two penguins , to the 3DCG anime TV series Digital Tokoro-san and their upcoming 3DCG anime film Samuroid Zero.In 2004,...
studio, who also produced the 3D CG for Oshii's previous film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, known simply as in japan, is a 2004 science fiction film and sequel to the anime film, Ghost in the Shell. Released in Japan on March 6, 2004, with an U.S. release on September 17, 2004, Innocence had a production budget of approximately $20 million...
.
Story
The Sky Crawlers is set in an alternate history where, although the world is at peace, in order to ease the tension of a populace accustomed to war and aggression, private corporations contract fighter pilots to engage in actual combat operations against each other. The film introduces a mystery involving characters called , humanoids genetically designed to live eternally in adolescence.Author Mori had stated that he felt The Sky Crawlers was the "most difficult" of his works to adapt, and only gave his consent to the making of the film after learning of Oshii's involvement as director.
Japanese Cast
- Yūichi Kannami: Ryō KaseRyo Kaseis a Japanese actor. He grew up in Bellevue, Washington until he was seven. He portrayed Shimizu, one of the lower-ranked Japanese soldiers, in Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima. He starred in Masayuki Suo's film I Just Didn't Do It.-Filmography:...
- Suito Kusanagi: Rinko KikuchiRinko Kikuchi, born , January 6, 1981, is a Japanese actress. Kikuchi is the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years. She is currently Japan's only living female Academy Award nominee in acting categories...
- Naofumi Tokino: Shōsuke TaniharaShosuke Taniharais a Japanese actor probably best known outside of Japan for his portrayal of Riki Fudoh in Fudoh: The New Generation.Tanihara hosts Tokyo Twenty-Four Living Supported by FLET’S Hikari, a podcast produced by TOKYO FM...
- Midori Mitsuya: Chiaki KuriyamaChiaki Kuriyamais a Japanese actress, singer and model. She is best known in the West for her roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Volume 1 and the Japanese film Battle Royale .- Biography :...
- Mizuki Kusanagi: Megumi Yamaguchi
- Aizu Yudagawa: Daisuke HirakawaDaisuke Hirakawais a Japanese voice actor. He is sometimes mistaken for fellow voice actor Daisuke Namikawa, as their names only differ by one character when written in kanji. He is the official Japanese voice actor for Orlando Bloom. For some roles, he is also known as Hirai Tatsuya.- Career :At first, as he...
- Uroyuki Shinoda: Takuma TakewakaTakuma Takewakais a Japanese voice actor .-Anime:*Masaomi Oogami in Onmyou Taisenki*Amon in Witch Hunter Robin*Ogawara Ryouhei in Jinki:EXTEND*Kirihito in Get Backers*Okita Souji in Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto...
- Towa Sasakura: Yoshiko SakakibaraYoshiko Sakakibarais a Japanese voice actress.-Direct-to-video animation:* 1983 Dallos - Melinda Hurst* 1985 Greed - Mimau* 1985 Area 88 - Yasuda* 1985 Cream Lemon – Rio* 1985 Megazone 23 – Reina* 1985 The Karuizawa Syndrome - Kaoru Matsunuma...
- Kyoku Yama: MugihitoMugihito, better known by his stage name of is a Japanese voice and stage actor from Musashino, Tokyo. He is employed by Media Force. Mugihito was formerly credited under his birth name and also...
- Honda: Hōchū ŌtsukaHochu Otsuka, also known by the his stage name , is a Japanese voice actor from Okayama Prefecture, affiliated with the talent management firm Crazy Box. He is the official Japanese dub-over artist for: Gary Oldman and Jean-Claude Van Damme....
- Kusmi: Mako HyōdōMako Hyodo, also credited as Mako Hyoudou, is a Japanese voice actress and member of 81 Produce company.- Notable roles :* Girl in Angel's Egg* Christella Revi in Birdy the Mighty and Birdy the Mighty: Decode* Young Lady in The Red Spectacles...
- Fūko: Mabuki Andō
- Yuri: Yuriko Hishimi
- Bus guide: Yukari Nishio (Nippon TV announcerAnnouncerAn announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
) - Master: Naoto TakenakaNaoto Takenakais a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and director from Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture affiliated with From First Production. He is married to idol singer and actress Midori Kinouchi.-Director:*Munō no Hito *119...
English Cast
- Troy BakerTroy BakerTroy Baker is an American actor and voice actor who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games....
- Naofumi Tokino - Doug ErholtzDoug ErholtzDouglas J. Erholtz is an American voice actor. He is well known for voicing Asuma Sarutobi from Naruto and Ichimaru from Bleach.- Anime roles :* Battle B-Daman - Joe, Biarce* Bounty Dog - Additional Voices...
- Blond-Haired Children - Bryce Hitchcock - Mizuki Kusanagi
- Kirsten Potter - Fūko
- Cindy RobinsonCindy RobinsonCindy Robinson is an American stage actress and voice actress. Cindy has performed on Broadway as Hannah Bentley and covering Julie Jordan in Carousel; Wendy and covering Peter Pan in Peter Pan; Snow White, while covering Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella in Into the Woods.She is...
- Towa Sasakura - Stephanie ShehStephanie ShehStephanie Ru-Phan Sheh is a Chinese-American voice actress, a writer, and a story editor who has worked for Geneon Entertainment, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Bandai Entertainment, Media Blasters, NYAV Post, FUNimation Entertainment, and Viz Media...
- Suito Kusanagi - Michael SinterniklaasMichael SinterniklaasMichael Tremain Sinterniklaas is a Dutch American actor, voice actor, ADR Director and script writer who has worked for Viz Media, Bandai Entertainment, Funimation Entertainment, DuArt Film and Video, 4Kids Entertainment, and Tripwire Productions...
- Yūichi Kannami
Japanese Crew
- Director: Mamoru OshiiMamoru OshiiMamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director, and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of popular anime, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer, Ghost in the Shell, and Patlabor 2...
- Original Creator: Hiroshi MoriHiroshi Mori (writer)is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is famous for writing mystery novels – particularly his debut work The Perfect Insider, which won him the first Mephist Award in 1996 – but he considers himself to be a researcher as well as craftsman....
- Screenplay: Chihiro Itō
- Music: Kenji KawaiKenji Kawai, born April 23, 1957 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is a Japanese music composer, for motion pictures, anime movies, video games and televised programs. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other countries in Asia, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror,...
- Executive Producers: Seiji Okuda, Mitsuhisa IshikawaMitsuhisa Ishikawais Japanese anime entrepreneur, the co-founder and current president and CEO of Production I.G, as well as a leading producer for the studio. He was also a former executive at Bee Train from 1997–2006, and as of 2010 is expected to join Tatsunoko Productions company as a part time director.Ishikawa...
- Producer: Tomohiko Ishii
- Sequence Director: Toshihiko Nishikubo
- Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Tetsuya Nishio
- Mechanical Design: Atsushi Takeuchi
- Art Director: Kazuo Nagai
- Art Settings: Takashi WatanabeTakashi Watanabeis a Japanese director. He is best known for directing the anime seies Boogiepop Phantom and Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maō.-Director:*Boogiepop Phantom*Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maō*Ikki Tousen*Kino's Journey Life Goes On...
- Color Designs: Kumiko Yusa
- Visual Effects: Hisashi Ezura
- CGI Supervisor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
- Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
- Line Producer: Tōru Kawaguchi
- Animation Production: Production I.G
- Production: Sky Crawlers Production Committee (Nippon Television Network CorporationNippon Televisionis a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
, Production I.G, Bandai VisualBandai Visual, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
, Warner Brothers, D-Rights, VAPVAPis a Japanese entertainment company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.-Current artists:*ALvino*Animals*Animetal*Eastern Youth*Edge of Spirit*Junko Ohashi*Yuji Ohno*Ogre You Asshole*Ono Ayako*Galneryus...
, Yomiuri Telecasting CorporationYomiuri Telecasting Corporationis a TV station joining Nippon News Network and Nippon Television Network System in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as "" on February 13, 1958...
, Hakuhodo DY Media PartnersHakuhodois Japan's second largest advertising agency, with gross sales of approximately 700 hundred million yen. It has its headquarters at Akasaka Biz Tower in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo....
, D.N. Dream Partners, Yomiuri ShimbunYomiuri ShimbunThe is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...
, Chūōkōron-shinshaChuokoron-Shinshais a Japanese publisher. It was established in 1886, under the name . In 1999, it was acquired by The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, subsequently changing its name to Chūōkōron-shinsha.-Profile:...
, Hochi Shimbun) - Distribution: Warner Bros. Japan
Sources:
Soundtrack
All music by Kenji Kawai.- "Main Theme (Opening)"
- "First Sortie"
- "Sail Away (Vocal)"
- "Foo-Ko"
- "Main Theme (Memory)"
- "Mizuki"
- "Surprise Attack"
- "Drive-By-Wire"
- "Main Theme - Affair (Harp)"
- "Main Theme - Blue Fish (Orgel)"
- "Private Sortie"
- "Second Sortie"
- "Night Sortie"
- "March Hare"
- "Adler Tag"
- "Krakow"
- "Main Theme (Affair)"
- "Main Theme (Blue Fish)"
- "Final Sortie"
- "Teacher"
- "Main Theme (Ending)"
The song used in the end credits, "Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete", sang by Ayaka
Ayaka
is a Japanese female singer formerly signed to Warner Music Japan. Born in Osaka, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a singing career. She married actor Hiro Mizushima on February 22, 2009.-2006:...
, was not included in the soundtrack.
Distribution
The Sky Crawlers was distributed in Japan by Warner Bros. Japan. It was subsequently distributed internationally by Sony Pictures, who initially announced their plans on the film's North American premiere at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival. They consequently sent this film as their entry for Best Animated Feature at the 81st Academy Awards81st Academy Awards
The 81st Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2008 and took place February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST...
.
The American release of the film differs from the Japanese release in that the song used during the ending credits of the Japanese version, Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete, by Ayaka, is not used in the American release.
Reception
The film was an official selection of the 65th Venice International Film Festival65th Venice International Film Festival
The 65th Venice International Film Festival, held in Venice, Italy, was opened on August 27, 2008 by Burn After Reading, and closed on September 6, 2008....
, where it won the Future Film Festival Digital Award, and the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival
2008 Toronto International Film Festival
The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This 33rd annual festival was from September 4 to September 13, 2008...
. Later, the film competed officially at the famed Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival, where it won three separate awards: the Jose Luis Guarner Critic Award, Best Original Soundtrack (for Kenji Kawai
Kenji Kawai
, born April 23, 1957 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is a Japanese music composer, for motion pictures, anime movies, video games and televised programs. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other countries in Asia, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror,...
) and an award given by the Carnet Jove Jury for "the best motion picture for a youth audience." The film was also in the official selection at the Helsinki International Film Festival and Stockholm International Film Festival
Stockholm International Film Festival
The Stockholm International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Stockholm, Sweden. It was launched in 1990 and has been held every year in the second half of November...
. The International Press Academy
International Press Academy
The International Press Academy is a large and diverse association of professional entertainment journalists, representing both domestic and foreign markets in print, television, radio, cable and new media outlets. The academy was founded in 1996 by Mirjana Van Blaricom...
nominated it for the Best Motion Picture.
Anime News Network
Anime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...
gave the film a B+.
The review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reported that 7 out of 9 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average score of 6.9 out of 10.
Video game
A video game based on the film, The Sky Crawlers: Innocent AcesThe Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces
is an arcade-style combat flight simulator for the Wii based on the 2008 anime film adaptation of Hiroshi Mori’s novel series The Sky Crawlers. Developed by Access Games, the game was released in Japan by Namco Bandai Games on October 16, 2008. Xseed Games released the game in North America on...
, was released for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
in October 2008 in Japan. Both Mamoru Oshii and Hiroshi Mori were involved in consulting development for the game.