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ROUJIN Z

MOVIE

MOVIE
Dubbed
SOURCE
ORIGINAL
RELEASE
September 14, 1991
LENGTH
79 min

DESCRIPTION

The Z Project was intended to give the new generation a break from caring for the old. The original intention was to create a machine to care for them without any intervention. At first glance, it looked like an excellent plan, and many of the younger generation approved of its application. But when old Mr. Takazawa became the test subject for the Z-001 machine, Haruko questioned both the tactics of the hospital and the moral implications of the machine. This is just the beginning, as Haruko has not just the hospital, but the odds against her. But then, she discovers an odd quirk about the machine: it uses a biochip, and it eventually acquires a mind of its own!

(Source: AnimeNfo)

CAST

Haruko Mihashi
Chisa Yokoyama
Takashi Terada
Shinji Ogawa
Kijuurou Takazawa
Hikojirou Matsumura
Roujin C
Takeshi Aono
Roujin A
Ryuuji Saikachi
Roujin B
Hikojirou Matsumura
Z no Computer
Shou Saitou
Mitsuru Maeda
Kouji Tsujitani
Haru Takazawa
Shou Saitou
Kidou Taichou
Kenichi Ogata
Tomoe Satou
Rica Matsumoto
Minagawa Buchou
Teiji Oomiya
Yoshihiko Hasegawa
Shinsuke Chikaishi
Nobuko Ooe
Chie Satou

RELATED TO ROUJIN Z

MANGA Sci-FiZeD

REVIEWS

Wyroquax
60/100
A visually compelling early nineties gem with a humorous plot but unsatisfying characters and a flawed story execution.
This review might contain spoilers. You may proceed if you can handle the truth...

Roujin Z, directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo, known for his directorial works on GOLDEN BOY and BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE, is based on the original story by Katsuhiro Ootomo, the creator of the famous manga and film adaptation Akira. Both men worked previously on the robot-focused anthology Robot Carnival and the influential science-fiction classic Akira. Contrary to Ootomo's previous work Akira, his follow-up, Roujin Z, plays in contemporary Japan and features an independent, spirited and strong female protagonist. Furthermore, the only male friend of the lead character is the opposite of the young men in Akira: spineless, selfish and inconsiderate. Undoubtedly, a courageous decision by Oootomo to design characters with the potential to alienate most of his male fans.

Comparable to later works of Oshii, known for the film adaptation of Ghost in the Shell, Roujin Z encourages viewers to reflect on contemporary political and social issues. The increasing nursing shortage, nowadays worse than 30 years ago, is the centre of conflict in the movie. As compensation for the lack of caregivers, the healthcare ministry developed an advanced medical bed to replace almost every aspect of geriatric nursing. The first 20 minutes of the picture show the benefits and disadvantages of the invention from different viewpoints. Most of the remaining runtime consists of action, chasing or stereotypical computer hacking scenes. Albeit those scenes are a welcome change to keep the viewer's attention, the film becomes repetitive, unfocused and uninspiring by the second chase scene at the latest. Additionally, the action-packed scenes repress and nullify the reflection on the social problem.

Despite Ootomo's efforts to write an original script, the plot is often predictable and has some stereotypical elements for its time. Nevertheless, the story is thought-provoking to some extent, funny and heart-warming. In contrast to the decent plot are the characters who mainly receive a minimalistic characterisation and do not obtain any character development. Consequently, they are one-dimensional, dull and forgettable. Moreover, the mediocre visual character design does not contribute to making the character more interesting. However, the detailed, creative and distinct mecha design is impressive. Together with the charming nineties animation style, which looks gorgeous to this day, both are the best element of the picture. Last but not least, the score is neither exceptional nor atrocious.

To summarise, Roujin Z is worth your time for its unique mecha design and entertaining story. You may skip this gem if you cannot stand unsatisfying characters or the flawed execution of the plot. At the point of writing, no streaming service has the movie in its collection, and the CD has not received a reprint in years. Therefore, if you get the opportunity to watch in the future, you should seize it.
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warku
70/100
An endearing mess worth a watch for it's animation and the creativy of it's concepts.
A gem of animation with a great concept that doesn't get used well enough.

Film starts with a bit of heavy exposition, which I understand and empathise with, however it's not the greatest. With that we rather quickly get to the point and are faced with a horrifying image of abandonment of humanity in pursuit of technological advancement that is to help humanity.
I was very off put seeing the machine (Z-001) put to work, as it ought to make feel anyone watching. That heavy scene might actually be to the movie's detriment, because it's such a great concept to explore through cyberpunk animation that it leaves you wanting for more. I though it would go into exploration of misery of life in such a state and corruption of human spirit that allowed it to exist in pursuit of more efficency in healthcare, or unburdening the elder care system. That doesn't happen and I started to realise that with the tonal inconsistency. We have this terrifying machine and serious looking people that exude power to make it the new status quo, but also some shots of short skirts (clearly director was able to realise those tendencies with Golden Boy, few years later, to the fullest) and such, and there are actually funny moments and goofy faces. So guys, do we do cyberpunk - a genre about how progression of capitalism and technological advancement will in reality bring dreadfull consequences - or a funny sci-fun movie with heart and social commentary. It strangely tries to strike in-between, which plays down the concept of this machine from the cover and makes jokes feel unwelcome.
They instead chose to rather quickly escalate with Z-001 going berserk. It would be fine, but it goes for even wilder concept. Some hackers manage to infuse the personality of dead wife of titular Roujin into the robot. Ok... It goes for more action and comedic moments interlaced with expression of long love of marriage (between the robot and the old man). I just can't really get with it till the end. Where after some fights and chase that looked spectacular get to finally get a tear-jerking ending, at which I cried - good job. But then it's actually not the ending.
Like of all things this is the most incoherent decision in the film. We do see old man living a harsh life. No longer able to take care of himself. Longing for his dead wife. With family that doesn't care for him - they sign a document to let him be patient 0 for this new invention. He only has Haruko, who is the badass of the movie and I liked how they wrote her. On personal note I'll go for euthanasia at that point. So we see him reunited with his wife, even though it's in a robot form, and they get to expierence a sunset at the beach together, while she's dying. Again leaving him alone. Is it just me, or are sunset like top 5 places to die? So why doesn't he die with her? Would be poetic and moving. Even the wife, in a robot, says they'll be reunited soon. THAT MEANS DYING AND GETTING BACK TOGETHER IN AN AFTERLIFE. Like what the fuck at this point? I wanna die that way, with my loved one watching over a sunset on the beach, where we made so many memories over dacades of our love.
Instead we get to go back to wherever the action took place and then they make this goofy ass ending with the robot coming back with Buddha integrated into it's structure calling ''honey!'' after the old man. Was it funny that they all made hands like at the buddhist temple at the end? Yeah, it is, but it's such an inferior ending.

To end it on a positive note the character development of the government worker, who actually wanted what's best for the eldery is nice. In addition his line "Don't mess with the Ministry of Public Welfare!" goes so hard with no apparent reason.

An endearing mess, with a wasted potential, that is still worth a watch for it's animation and the creativy of it's concepts.
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