Reviews of Eden of the East (2009) and related work

Eden of the East (2009Moving picture, 4.0 hours)

In 2010, urban Japan was inexplicably struck by a number of missiles. Just as inexplicably, there were no victims. In early 2011, another explosion coincides with the return of a young man whose last act as part of a game of competing Messianic visions was to wipe his own memory.

Action comedy. A faintly socially-conscious conspiracy thriller with a bit of romance. It’s disorganized, with a number of plot holes, and ultimately shallow in its approach to the various social problems in a way that does not prefigure the disaster at Fukushima in 2011, but it’s fun.

moving picture animation Japanese production fiction series

Eden of the East the Movie I: The King of Eden (2009Moving picture, 80 minutes)

Paced, visually designed and seemingly budgeted like television, which is disappointing. Also sadly devoid of new visions for change.

moving picture sequel animation Japanese production fiction

Eden of the East the Movie II: Paradise Lost (2010Moving picture, 90 minutes)

Continuing massive abuse of the amnesia trope, and little else. Ultimately there is no clear or coherent political conclusion, as expected, which is very sad. A little comedy, a little closure, not a lot of Paradise Lost (1667/1674).

moving picture sequel animation Japanese production fiction