Anime Abandon: Robot Carnival

[@RawbeardX]

What is my purpose? - Pass the butter. - What is my purpose? - You passed the butter. - oh. - yeah, welcome to life.

[@OrionCallisto]

+Rawbeard My favorite part is how he looks at his little hands, the existential crisis setting in. "Oh my God."

[@ellnats]

i am not programed for friendship

[@N8Dogg5k]

While I do understand Sage's thoughts on Robot Carnival, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to disagree with him on the Presence short. I honestly think that out of all the shorts, this one is the most nuanced and layered. Even though the man destroys his robot dream-girl shortly after she displays real forms of conscious thought, it's shown that through the years the man exhibits much regret for his actions. His creation was perhaps one of the only things in his life to give him a sense of accomplishment, let alone one of the only things to ever give him unconditional love/a sense of intimacy, however short it may have been. I think it's safe for me to say that he more than likely created the robot so that he could feel something with it, that he never found with other people, or with his wife for that matter. The image of the robot appearing before him later in his life is him looking for forgiveness and initially finding none, hence why she falls apart. He still hasn't come to terms with his guilt yet. It's only after finding her still sitting in that secret lab does he actually begin to find some sense of closure. Upon potentially being on his death bed, the robot appears to him once again, but this time he's come full-circle with destroying the robot. He's forgiven himself for what he did and leaves all of his misery behind him. Which is why I think his wife is shown being left behind. His wife represented the misery and emptiness he felt from the world. There is also implication that in that brief moment when the robot had conscious thought, that perhaps she also had a soul. The idea of even objects having a soul is part of Japanese culture/religion (just look to the Shinto faith) so this isn't too far fetched of an undertone. It's like switching her on was essentially giving birth to her. Even though her life was short, she seems to show no ill will towards her creator, but instead appears to love him unconditionally. In essence, the man creates not only his own guilt, but in some way may have also created his own salvation. I find it to be a fairly touching tale about the paradoxical nature of humanity. At times we tend to dilute things, but at the same time make them into more than what they are. We can find misery and salvation in the very same things, all that matters is the perspective. Be it from age, creed, gender, etc. there is always a duality to humanity, and that even extends to our creations. Ultimately this was simply my interpretation of one particular short, and I'm curious to see what others here think.

[@N8Dogg5k]

@arbereshe It's a wordy comment for sure. Re-reading it back to myself (years later) I know I could've written this thought a bit more succinctly.

[@babyvanta]

@@N8Dogg5k But the question still remains, why did he reject her love? There wasn’t a clear motive for him to outright destroy her. She was a reflection of his own loneliness and maybe that spurred him to destroy the thing he hated most about his life, but it still doesn’t convince me a strong motive for his actions.

[@tonygriego6382]

Beautifully said.

[@danielramsey6141]

@@babyvanta I know this is a year late with a response. But here’s what I believe. The Man was a Coward. The big ironic details are established before this scene when he looked at the Trash bin full of destroyed and decaying Androids. In the narrative he’s almost played as a sympathetic character, not being able to register true love since the society he lives in is one of strict European ethics. And even when confronted by his creation’s desire to learn more, to be more, and to mean More to him. He cracks, because in reality he’s not as different as he calms! He let’s fear and social pressures of his society win over, and he destroys an innocent doll. Probably the first to really show that it has a soul. The guilt torments him, and he ultimately has to make peace with his sins. The short is That different from the rest of the Robot Carnival animations due to how Unjapanese the entire thing feels! And yet it it’s relatable on such a profound level. Beautiful in its depth of animation, and masterful in how it translates the emotions of said character. I won’t lie, it took me four to five time watching these scenes to get a sense of what Presence was going for, and it clicked after so many years.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

17:21 Oh they should of really kept the original line, it would of made sense. He said "If it were English I'd understand, but my "American" is a little rusty"

[@iamaunicorn1232]

+CornishCreamtea07 It would have even been a joke.

[@royal9743]

The most important thing was that there was a language barrier. Just make the 'western' invader german or french.

[@hariman7727]

Ironically, American English is actually closer to the original pronunciations, with British English only being invented as an affectation of Victorian era aristocrats. In fact, there are Shakepearean scholars who like the Bard's work better in American English as opposed to British English.

[@SavoxYT]

14:24 And the Final Fantasy prelude is plainly "Let My Love Open The Door" by Pete Townshend.

[@RyuHayabusa06]

Have to disagree. I love Robot Carnival. Sure, there are a few parts that aren't that great, but overall I think it's a well executed collection of shorts. Presence and Deprive are my two favorite shorts of all, in small part due to the amazing music.

[@ssbac98]

RyuHayabusa06 yeah the OST was awesome, especially Deprive and Star Light Angel

[@shaneg9081]

Yeah, the OST is awesome. That's why I bought a copy. :)

[@1krani]

Wait, I GOT IT! The pretentious imagery. The empty stories trying to play at being deep by being nonsensical (though that man-in-robot thing could've been interpreted as a metaphor if it hadn't actually happened in the short). The beautiful animation. The Final Fantasy Prelude... *This anthology is a warning of what Square Enix would become. **_And we did not listen._*

[@1krani]

AT Productions You got a better explanation?

[@TheWayoftheSith]

+AT Productions You do not agree? This is the internet, when you don't like criticism of a product that means you are a fanboy.

[@1krani]

TheUnbeholden , Well, I'm a fanboy, and I will take the phrase, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the single worst movie-going experience I have ever had in my life" to my double-X grave.

[@TheWayoftheSith]

Ikrani Nooooooooooo!!!!

[@1krani]

TheUnbeholden , That's what I said when I was done watching it, Darth Vader-style.

[@T3HR3PP4]

I'm gonna ask that we all take a second to cherish the Memories of Sci-Fi Channels Anime Block. It may have been a wild Robot Carnival at times but it's better than the Cannon Fodder and Stinkbombs of modern day SyFy.

[@AdventDoom]

The short that has the robot walking though history would make a really neat screensaver.

[@salokin3087]

Lost my Job, My Girlfriend and my House today... Ahh, who gives a fuck, I've got Ben-Pai

[@LuckyBastard12345]

+Salokin Sekwah I thougt Ben Pai was Ben from the Drunken Peasants

[@salokin3087]

Gregory Bowman FUCK! Bennett needs to get on the Drunken Peasants to have a fat off with TJ and Paul!

[@Therealmadkong]

+Salokin Sekwah Do you need a hug?

[@Tommylop1982]

Sorry to hear your day is going bad.

[@DxSkeith]

You need a Spooning With Spoony style hug. Ah, the good old days...

[@PyroX792]

My favorite short from Robot Carnival is Star Light Angel. Something about it hooked me and hasn't let go. I get so happy every time I see it.

[@Ayareviewsthings]

Sage, he died. The robot is taking him to the other side. It's symbolic.

[@1cioda]

Doesnt change the fact that the short was ruined by its ending.

[@TheSpellShell]

But why? He should be haunted by her robot-ghost-spirit, not comforted by it. Ending just makes no sence either way.

[@ellnats]

just because its symbolic, dosnt make it any less weird AF

[@harmonicajay91]

The guy who built the Pixie Bot may be the biggest hypocrite. "I am so enlightened on how women think so I'm gonna build my own personal Robo-Squeeze."

[@tyson263]

Hah that cover, "Nine directors, One vision" I guess "Nine directors, nine completely different visions that all have robots in it because fuck it why not ?" didn't test as well for marketing

[@popc5245]

My exact thoughts

[@OtomoTenzi]

For those of who have always been feeling the same way as I did about 'Presence', this segment of the movie is very emotionally distressing and has stood out for me all these decades... The segment is just way too short to satisfy the audience's curiosity, and leaves ALOT of questions unanswered. If only I can become an animator some day, I swear that I will rewrite and remake an entire OVA based on this segment. Using the BEST influences from renown film-makers such as Michael Cimino and Wai Ka-Fai, I would tell the whole entire story (in painstaking detail) of how the creator finally ACCEPTS his female android's wish for love and affection. It would tell how they stay together and support each other both physically and emotionally, all the way until the very final end (with a surprise ending). That is something that even real-life couples cannot possibly do, especially in this sad and corrupted modern age. 😞

[@CoolGuyZool129]

Speaking of Robot Carnival, Cartoon Network aired it, along with Vampire Hunter D and Twilight of the Cockroaches aired back to back on Midnight to 6:00 A.M on January 28, 1995 for the marathon known as Night of the Vampire Robots. There's a short promo for it around here on KZbin.

[@ssbac98]

CoolGuyZool Wow :O

[@user-unos111]

An important detail about the short of the two steampunk robots that Sage overlooked is that it is supossed to be a parody of WWII era propaganda films

[@jakublulek3261]

You know, why they didn't invite Terry Gilliam to this movie instead of replicating his style? Seriously, that first short was like every Terry Gilliam's Monty Python animation combined.

[@benschade3622]

I'm 34... I saw this when I was a kid on the sci fi channel and at time what we called "japanamation" was... Well like seeing a tiger in Michigan... Or seeing Bigfoot in the woods.... I'll spare the whole story but that and "lensman" changed my life that day. And I definitely prefer this stuff to the "school uniform children of power" formula we have to follow today... Us early fans loved the enigma... I suppose that's why a lot of this stuff was so wacky.... As an animator I really am way more impressed with this older stuff too, just knowing what went into it. Seeing this made me fall in love all over again.... God I'm old.

[@ellnats]

is it just me, or is the art style of the amusement park story reminding anyone else of Gundam? specifically Chars Counter Attack? seriously, 3 people in that thing look like 3 of the stars from that movie

[@MoonspiderHugs]

man, i remember watching this in the infancy of cartoon network... brings back memories

[@TheDeathtoll99]

Fuck it i blame time travel is going to be whats written on my toombstone

[@legogpk]

Sage, I think you took the end to "Presence" to literally. I believe it was him dying, and the man walking away with his creation, semi accepting what he had done years after he had done it, and finding peace.

[@diegoaespitia]

This was a compilation of various shorts made by various artists. Some had deeper meanings than others. Some had none. Sure I didn't enjoy a few of the shorts either but it seems like you're just criticizing these shorts because they don't contain as much depth as other Anime films. Imagine getting a group of your artist friends together to create some cartoons. They can do whatever they want so long as they go with the robot theme. Some of your friends will create deep meaningful shorts like Magnetic Rose while others create shorts like Stink Bomb. They are all different with different animation styles and stories if any story at all. Sorry bud. Terrible review.

[@yungb254]

"This Truly is an Anime Classic."

[@DxSkeith]

Loved this anime collection. Glad to see you review it!

[@FatalKitsune]

The design of the evil guy in the giant robot in the final short REALLY reminds me of the leader of the Nebraska family from Trigun. The bulging eyes and the way his teeth are designed are really similar.

[@FatalKitsune]

+SpitefulCrow Second to last short*

[@pyrolee17]

I have a feeling that the same studio was behind it

[@jimbobmago]

Love this channel going to really miss it wishing you the Best for the future sage

[@redfeildre349]

Even though I agree with every point you make, I still love this anthology and would like to see more only done better. I can easily see an anthology series like Fantasia or Heavy Metal by way of Japan finding an audience. Hey! Remember Liquide Television?

[@devildavin]

"Toy Demon farting around the room" that needs to be a name for some thing....

[@Mi_Fa_Volare]

That Japanese combat robot interior is just brilliant! I LOVE IT! My admiration to that director.

[@Force-hiddenmasquerade]

not only is Tetsuo there, he has Akira with him!

[@Fletcher._art]

6:11, "A musical number in Schindler's List would be less out of place!" Nobody tell him about Nutcracker 3D

[@DanXmas]

I kept thinking about Love, Death & Robots after seeing Robot Carnival, definitely has to have inspired it in some way at the very least paving the way

[@Citrakite]

8:20 Give she like half his size and like 13 it seem he's more like a companion/bodyguard then husbando. That and waifu is a MOE spilloff so about 20 years earlier for that crap. 12:00 Presence is my favorite segment. I cry every time i see the ending and see it. 14:10 I own both versions of this segment's song. Again I never had trouble with it. Giant robot was her anger and self doubt and robo knight is literally showing her not all guys are douchebags so she opens up and they end up dating. Sure that's still kinda of sexist but for 1980's Japan that was progressive as fuck. I really like this anthology and I do connect emotionally to a lot of the segments.

[@TheSWATmanjack]

Little did Bennett know... That years afterwards, Love, Death, & Robots would rear its rather graphic head on Netflix where they would do exactly what he said they wouldn't.

[@Trilaan]

I never thought I'd ever say this, Sage; but your disdain for this film makes me a little mad. You're looking for a much deeper meaning than these shorts even attempt to have. It's all in the title, Robot CARNIVAL, right? When was the last time you found deep meaning, or anything other than flashing lights, thunderous sounds and brief thrills, for that matter, at a carnival? I love you work but, on Robot Carnival, I have to disagree. PS The only short I never liked that much from this was Cloud(the robot wandering through time and the history of Man.

[@Vorteksio3]

7:21 Another 'Bad dudes' refference?

[@librahoshino6752]

The "Star Light Angel" story was my favorite. I'm a little disappointed that Sage didn't really go into it. Let alone discuss what makes it work. Yes, it's got the plot of a soap-opera meets space-opera. But this animation contains no dialogue to tell the story. It relies purely on visuals and music. You know exactly what the characters are conversing about and what emotional state they're in. Maybe I'm in the minority, but honestly this sequence really feeds into my love of shoujo with a healthy sci-fi action counter balance. This is the kind of sugary whimsy I imagine most Iron Man fangirl fantasies look like.

[@fhistleb]

Star Light Angel and Cloud are my favorites man. So much was said without speaking.

[@OtomoTenzi]

@@fhistleb For those of who have always been feeling the same way as I did about 'Presence', this segment of the movie is very emotionally distressing and has stood out for me all these decades... The segment is just way too short to satisfy the audience's curiosity, and leaves ALOT of questions unanswered. If only I can become an animator some day, I swear that I will rewrite and remake an entire OVA based on this segment. Using the BEST influences from renown film-makers such as Michael Cimino and Wai Ka-Fai, I would tell the whole entire story (in painstaking detail) of how the creator finally ACCEPTS his female android's wish for love and affection. It would tell how they stay together and support each other both physically and emotionally, all the way until the very final end (with a surprise ending). That is something that even real-life couples cannot possibly do, especially in this sad and corrupted modern age. 😞

[@Kastigatr]

80s japanime: Coke, cyborgs, and ultraviolence. See MD Geist for details

[@WandererRedux]

I was going to leave a comment about how I thought that the anthology showed promise and that it's a shame that the execution was so flawed, but *HOLY SHIT YOU'RE DOING CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO NEXT?!!* Can't wait to see it!

[@domidextrus]

Robot Carnival might as well be the Japanese equivalent of Heavy Metal: an animated anthology that's extremely loosely connected, with a bunch of interesting ideas and unique animation, but very hit-and-miss execution. Also, HOLY CRAP CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO IS NEXT!! That is one of my most favorite movies of all time! I can't wait to see how you're gonna tackle that one.

[@SMAXZO]

And the boyfriend from Star Light Angel? That's Char Aznable.

[@Tomha]

Hey Starlight Angel was easy to get. Her man stabbed her in the back. She runs into a virtual reality ride...somehow And the moment she sees her charm, a gift from her BF, her depression makes the giant deathbot. Clearly representing the ex

[@LetsDrawAgainArchive]

Its really wierd to say but this was actually my first anime. I was so confused to what I was watching but strangly fascinated. It was on HBO or cinemax or one of those types of channels back in the day and its the strongest memory I have with being introduced to anime. Just feelings mostly.

[@ChristianNeihart]

I want that dvd.

[@magnos_decimus]

ah the 80's always puts a smile on my face to see and hear things from that time

[@fearnloathingingeneral]

I remember my family recorded this on vhs one night and we used to turn it on and leave it playing in the background. Never knew the name of it lol

[@JohnnyElRed]

11:11 That reminds me a lot of the doll from Bloodborne. And suddenly I realize how cool would be seeing an animation about the Souls games.

[@reginaroadie]

To answer your question on how TNG lasted past it's 1st season, the short answer for it and season 2 is "Barely." It wasn't until Michael Piller came on board that TNG became the show we all know and love.

[@CreepyNess1234]

Funny watching this in 2020 knowing that Love, Death, and Robots exists.

[@ellnats]

I think that story where the guy is building a robot girl and destroys it is based on Frankenstein, only instead of the doc running away from his creation when its finished he BEATS THE FUCKING SHIT OUT OF IT!!!

[@robe6084]

I love watching your videos sage, I feel like I know anime now

[@slimyweasles4973]

Oh my gosh you're doing Castle of Cagliostro! I'm so excited! That's awesome! :)

[@FilmmakerJ]

2:19 And now we have "Love, Death & Robots." Whodda thunk? Not the throwing money at first-timers, but it's nice to know that the age of the anthology series has not died.

[@mordreek]

I lost it at 16:07 and Sage getting caught singing after...

[@thedarkercarter]

I think I've been waiting for this one out of all of the reviews.

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

I think the bit where the guy walks away with the visage of the robot girl straightforward. The whole short is focused around the crushing irony of his character, and him having this happy ending in his own head when in reality he's just wandering off by himself to die in the middle of the countryside while his wife just sort of watches, curious yet not motivated enough to follow him, is a perfect cap on the whole story. Seriously, fuck that guy.

[@MediaCalicoComics]

Wanna know the song?: 500 Miles by The Proclaimers (16:07)

[@animejunky2003]

It's more of mash up stories that are some how good at first but then ruined at the end of each shot, but I really enjoyed the 80s animation styles of each short

[@Ryokumuji]

I remember seeing Robot Carnival years ago when I was really young, probably 11 years old? And the one short that really deeply upset me in this movie was Presence, with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl Robot. Knowing that the dude destroyed the robot and that scene where she appears to him and begins falling apart STILL upsets me to this day, and I think the ending doesn't help with that.

[@ottagol1985]

I'm still under the belief that James R. Bowers (the voice of the mad scientist in the 8th short) was a gaijin that was in the area or was probably a friend of the producer and/or animator behind said short.

[@blackieblackmetal7218]

The "thing" about Robot Carnival, Venus Wars, Project Ako and the few other anime titles played on Tv during the 90s was that visually there was NOTHING like them in the world. Walt Disney brought various Grimm fairytales to life where Anime was Japan's comicbook superheroes brought to life. Back then they spent so much money getting the visual of the manga captured accurately in the anime there was no room left for story. Thats definitely the profound difference between old school fans and new.

[@fhistleb]

Hey, I love this movie. Some of the skits they do are amazing!

[@EHH246]

I screamed when he showed that Castle of Cagliostro dvd. Lupin the Third! :D

[@mustekkala]

Not only Tetsuo, he is walking with Akira, or how he used to look like in manga at least. Now that is actually pretty funny in my perspective. :D

[@latviandragon2718]

sadly there miscolored

[@AndrevusWhitetail]

Yes Sage, not only were there 2 CT references in one video, but they were within three minutes of each other.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Robot Carnival is just Fantasia with the theme of Robots with great directors. I love it

[@georgemiser]

Being incredibly late to the party reguarding the knowledge of Scott Freeman's child porn conviction, i've been left shaken up to say the least and hope to see his roles in the 51 anime's he's been in redubbed in the future. This has not only brightned up my day, helped me calm down from this terrible news and helped fix my faith somewhat in anime as an art form, but also made me happy that there are plenty of dubs Freeman hasn't been a part of. Thanks Sage.

[@Goleon]

+georgemiser This so bums me as he seemed like such a nice guy that one time I talked to him and I loved him as England.

[@lucidvenom1]

bennet , as a long time fan of yours i just wanna say that your work is awesome, keep it up.

[@bwlfarmer]

That one and Vampire Hunter D were ones I remember from my Sci fI channel days.

[@alwaysxnever]

Been waiting for this since I first a Stumbled upon your page dear sir .

[@Rd0Lg]

The accents actually made me have a delayed reaction, because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. :D Then I laughed. A lot.

[@PixLgams]

"Nothing like this could be made today" What about the Japan Animator Expo?

[@CornishCreamtea07]

Yeah it's a shame he doesn't know about that, really he should.

[@earlyman7439]

It"s not as good as this, though. Not to me, atleast.

[@shaheigaukler6787]

One of the first animes I remember watching, I forget it exists, but every once an awhile someone reminds me it exists and I go, "Oh yeah, that was a pretty piece, I think I liked it."

[@GasmaskAvenger]

Seeing heavy Sage in an older video after his weight loss is quite a shock to the system.

[@NYpsycho81]

I love this anime, it is the first anime I ever saw on scifi channel when I was a kid.

[@TexasReppin210]

lord bennet has graced us with another video.

[@pikamario99]

Someone showed me that last short and I really enjoyed it, but I never did get around to watching any of the others. Kind of glad now.

[@CamsEyeView]

+DisgruntledMushroom Personally, I think Sage was way too hard on the film. Go watch it yourself and make your own conclusions. Bennet has been known to miss obvious themes and symbolism from time to time and this is sadly one of them....

[@HeavyMetal95]

I love the nightmare segment reminds me of night on bald mountain and ave maria in the original fantasia

[@sailoritaly]

Sage is gonna review Lupin the Third? Oh this is gonna be awesome

[@schizoidboy]

Off topic to this video. I remember this episode of Ghost Hunt where there was supposed to be a phony medium from America. In the subbed version it becomes clear that when the medium is exposed and speaking English the actor doing it is clearly from America due to the very clear accent being used. They really must have looked hard for that guy.

[@akumaten]

3:40 I was one of the lucky ones to catch it on Saturday Anime on Sci-fi Channel

[@94unclechuck]

Sucks that sci fi doesn't have anime anymore. That's where I discovered gurren laagen and witchblade

[@akumaten]

94unclechuck Back in the 90's, it introduced me to lot of exotic anime

[@Spikey_Buddy]

+94unclechuck That was also where I discovered Macross Plus. Good times.

[@graciegj63]

Yea, that was my first exposure to anime. Being a young teenager and seeing it for the first time blew my mind. American cartoons paled in comparison with the art and music. That's what got me hooked.

[@graciegj63]

And I really liked Starlight Angel in this. Back then I didn't know the term shoujo anime til later. But that's what I liked. I'm ashamed to admit, but I watched the dubbed and edited sailormoon. The manga for any shoujo anime is far better IMO.

[@vracerv]

It's called a Classic. To apprentice the memories.

[@ariannewingard1660]

Oh, hell yes. You're covering Lupin the third !

[@AquaLantern]

RoboChernabog... that is freggin awesome, how is that only a short?!

[@94unclechuck]

Right when I was about to turn off my tv sage comes in am makes my night

[@the1truebakasama]

Ometsu also did the "Yellow Star" segment of Cool Devices

[@mrpurple11]

14:47 yep thats tetsuo and next to him is Akira the one and only nº28

[@hemidas]

2:40 Well I guess that's one of the reasons why the 80's were hailed as the Golden Age of Anime.

[@sebs2306live2]

Pure Art. Stay Positive !

[@Mycogso]

sebs2306live2 yeah..it really is. he doesnt get it..oh well.

[@sebs2306live2]

Gregory Orozco Thanks man !

[@Tacom4ster]

Finally a Miyazaki movie and a Lupin movie I been asking Doug to review Castle of Cagliostro for a while, it's one of my favorite movies.

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

The only reason I watched this review is to check if Robot Carnival is the anime I watched 5 minutes of on a live stream. It is not. And now I want to find it stronger than ever.

[@Kohdok]

10:32 - Little did Sage know...

[@Spekor]

about star light angel.. you kinda missed a few cues in the animation.. there's a flashback scene when she see's her best friends new boyfriend that shows said boyfriend in a military uniform.. she thought he was either lost in battle. or deployed

[@LungsOutJem]

Yeah, I loved watching this one on the Sci-fi channel.

[@vargas4maggot]

Ahh the Proclaimers.. a joke so easy yet so chuckling at the same time.

[@XDRONIN]

+BennettTheSage At 13:48 You forget, Japanese believe that even objects can have souls or spirit.. or something like that, i don't know I'm not Japanese.

[@EnhanceRaptor]

Star Light Angel - about an orange haired Quess Paraya who breaks up with a scarless-Char Aznable and gets rescued by Hathaway Noah in a robot suit. That it looked like to me.

[@WarpWalker]

Someone actually combined the short that Sage eluded to in the beginning, and then went into further detail at 15:45, with the song Garden of Light by the metal band Isis. It's actually better than the original short in my opinion. I highly suggest it.

[@amberace]

I do remember this on sci-fi channel a long time ago.