The 4K remastered version of "Angel's Egg," the legendary OVA (original video animation) directed by Mamoru Oshii, released in 1985, was released in advance at Dolby Cinema on November 14th, and it was revealed that the box office revenue exceeded 15 million yen in five days. Despite being a small screening at only 10 theaters nationwide, it garnered a huge response, attracting an audience of approximately 5,890 people. It will be released nationwide from November 21st.
An alternative visual drawn by artist and art director Tonda Hayashi Ran was also released. Tonda Hayashi Ran commented, "When you meet someone by chance, spend time in the same space, and exchange words. It's a simple fact that this can greatly change your future destiny. The ribbon helplessly protecting the cracked egg represents a girl. The boy's eyes lurk in the egg's bright red shadow." To commemorate the release, game creator Hideo Kojima, illustrator and essayist Kamiko Inuyama, and film directors Shinji Higuchi and Shunji Iwai have provided recommendation comments.
"Angel's Egg" is Director Oshii's first original work, an OVA with original concept and art direction by Yoshitaka Amano. It was produced in an ascetic style, with near-monotone colors, very few lines, unusually long takes, and only about 400 cuts, about one-third the number of cuts in a typical anime. It was released as an OVA in 1985 and was screened in theaters for a limited time to commemorate its release.
The 4K remaster will be produced in time for the film's 40th anniversary in 2025. Under the supervision of Director Oshii, the original 35mm film was scanned and remastered in 4K using the latest technology.
◇Comment from Hideo Kojima
The first time I really became aware of director Mamoru Oshii was with "Angel's Egg," which was released in 1985 as a new medium called OVA. I still remember the shock I felt when I saw this film, which was a hot topic in various anime magazines. "The slow tempo here is just like Tarkovsky! Who knew Japan had a filmmaker who went against trends like this!" I rewatched this film in the 21st century and understood it anew, or rather, for the first time. It was a work that was way too ahead of its time. The legendary "Angel's Egg" is now being released in theaters in 4K. You have to see it. You won't feel sleepy now.
◇Comment from Kamiko Inuyama
I had a completely different impression from when I saw it as a young girl. It confronts the transformation of one's own heart, what one wants to protect, what one wants to destroy. It's not a shallow excitement, but a deep emotional turmoil. A quiet turmoil that grows into a powerful surge over time, this is a masterpiece that may seem difficult to understand but is open to everyone!
◇Comment from Shinji Higuchi
What is creation? It is a struggle between ambition and duty. It is a feast of fierce impulse and serene aesthetic sense that was only possible 40 years ago, and it is a revelatory experience that should be immersed in at the theater now.
◇Comment from Shunji Iwai
The year is 1985. Forty years after Japan's defeat in the war, it has suddenly become the world's second largest economic power. We were intoxicated by the infinite possibilities of music, comics, and anime, and looked at the world and our mundane daily lives through them. This film is by no means optimistic, but it captures the belief in the future that was unique to that era, sealed away like a fossil. Perhaps the title, "Angel's Egg," is a metaphor for a time capsule released into the future. Another 40 years have passed since then. This time capsule will be revived in 4K. What will today's young people think? It is an endless source of interest.
