UlasanAnime.com – The animated film “Origin ~Spirits of the Past~,” also known by its Japanese title “Gin-iro no Kami no Agito,” was released last year by Gonzo. Despite initial fanfare, it was somewhat overshadowed by the “Haruhiism” phenomenon in early 2006. Now a Funimation title, it is slated for a US screening and an English dub.
Intrigued by the trailer, I managed to obtain a copy of the film for review. My overall impression is positive, though while it stands as a well-crafted audiovisual experience, Gonzo has once again produced a film that is distinctly “Gonzo.”
This might be Gonzo’s least unconventional work in recent years. The narrative, characters, and dialogue adhere to predictable epic anime film tropes. Even within these familiar patterns, certain key elements, like the antagonist’s characterization and the development of the lead female character, were mishandled.
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However, the film is undeniably beautiful. The collaboration between KOKIA and Taku Iwasaki resulted in a rich soundtrack and a memorable theme song, with the opening scene being particularly captivating.
Despite its visual and auditory strengths, these elements cannot entirely compensate for a mediocre story. “Origin ~Spirits of the Past~” is a relatively short film that is worth watching to appreciate the high standards of quality found in contemporary Japanese animated films. In terms of visual presentation, this film surpasses “Steamboy,” which I believe is a significant achievement.
