Call me crazy, but Baby Blue has been the best of the short movies from Genius Party for me so far, but then again, with such a stellar storyteller behind the direction (Shinichiro Watanabe, who directed Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop; the guy really should release another series), this was to be expected. Watanabe also directed Detective Story and Kid’s Story in the Animatrix, so he knows what it takes to make a good short story, which he shows in these fifteen minutes.
Baby Blue is very much away from all of his other works, and it’s basically like Doorbell a tale about high-schoolers. This one went right where Doorbell failed, though, by providing adequate background for the two central characters, and at the same time there’s this continuous down-to-earth atmosphere. All movies of Genius Party have a message, and the message of this one works out really well when it gets revealed.
The characters really shine, despite the very quiet mood, backed up by some lovely guitar-solos. There is a small hint of romance, I guess, but it smartly stays away from being a Makoto Shinkai rip-off/wannabe with its daring storytelling, but the thing that really shines in this series is its characters.
| Storytelling: | 8/10 |
| Characters: | 9/10 |
| Production-Values: | 8/10 |
| Setting: | 8/10 |
We agree on this one, this is my favorite out of them 🙂 I was quite touched with the characters, especially the last few minutes of the animation.
I third that.
I watched the 7 episodes at the fantasia film festival and like this on the best.
I like the music, and as mai said the last few minutes where very beautiful.
Having also seen the film at the Fantasia film festival, I may have to be the lone dissenter and state that “Happy Machine” was, by far, the best short film in Genius Party by far and I am puzzled by those who think otherwise, but…in the end, it’s just my opinion.
the best story. i’m amazed how by such simple story and with limited time it is possible to create something that amazing. maybe because i have experience of leaving, i got so much overwhelmed by the amazingness of parting depicted here- perfect amount of bittersweetness.
Call you crazy ? Why ?
Shinichiro Watanabe + Yoko Kanno + Studio 4C = WIN.
Caught it at animation nation 2008, really really good.
The soundtrack to this short was pretty phenomenal. As to be expected from Yoko Kanno, I guess!