Watch Tatsumi

Tatsumi is a 2011 animated drama film directed by Eric Khoo, based on the autobiographical manga works of Yoshihiro Tatsumi, a prominent figure in the world of comic books. The film is composed of five short stories that reflect the tumultuous life of the author during the post-World War II era in Japan. The first story, "Hell," sets the tone for the film, portraying a young boy who witnesses the destruction of his hometown in Hiroshima during the atomic bombing. The story is told without dialogue, with the visuals carrying the weight of the emotional impact. The second story, "Beloved Monkey," follows a young boy who becomes emotionally attached to a monkey, which he must ultimately part with. This story explores concepts of attachment and loss.

The third story, "Just a Man," explores the life of a man struggling to make sense of his existence in a hedonistic society. He eventually turns to meditation as a way to search for meaning in his life. The fourth story, "Occupied," portrays the struggles of everyday life in post-World War II Japan under American occupation. The final story, "Goodbye," tells the autobiographical story of Yoshihiro's departure from Japan for a new life in America.

Throughout the film, the animation highlights the sharp contrast between the bleak existentialist themes depicted in the stories and the optimistic pop culture of Japan during that time. The animation is striking, evocatively capturing the tone and mood of Yoshihiro's original work.

The film's protagonist, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, is portrayed as an autobiographical figure in the final story. Tatsumi is a deeply conflicted character struggling with the desires to both distance himself from his past and embrace his cultural heritage. The film depicts him as a pioneering adult manga artist who revolutionized the genre by bringing mature subject matter into comics.

Overall, Tatsumi is a moving tribute to an artist's creative vision and his personal journey. The film highlights the author's continuing relevance as an important and innovative figure in the world of comic books. The film is not only a work of art in its own right but also serves as a testament to Yoshihiro's life and the human experiences that shaped his groundbreaking work.

Tatsumi is a 2011 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 78.