Tekkonkinkreet - The Treasure of Treasure Town

In today's episode I look at the fantastic Tekkonkinkreet, from the wildly unique manga by Taiyo Matsumoto to its fascinating animated adaptation by Michael Arias and Studio 4°C.
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[@TGCFilmz]

I love this film. Definitely in my Top 10 favourite of all time.

[@hikari69]

What's the others ?

[@5amJones69]

Agreeed

[@edgepixel8467]

What are the others?

[@codeninja100]

Tekkon Kinkreet is my favorite anime film. I fell in love with the soundtrack before I even saw the film. It definitely left a huge imprint on me.

[@jayfolk]

Taiyo Matsumoto broke down comic styles by their nationality, European comics are intelligent American comics are energetic Japanese comics are optimistic

[@p3rsi4n1]

i see it a little differently, European comics are intelligent but also very stylish. Agree with American comics being energetic, but I think Japanese comics has a mix of everything. It's just so commoditized that you never learn about any anime outside of main steam... that is unless someone makes a youtube account and posts videos to inform you of them :)

[@404-file-not-found]

Tekkonkinkreet introduced me to some of my favorite music. Plaid absolutely nailed the soundtrack. Been listening to them ever since.

[@MagnitudeReviews]

I see Kinkreet, I give an immediate like.

[@btrzcouto]

the ending.

[@BeyondGhibli]

Beatriz, thank you!!! I really missed you in the comments sections these last few uploads, I'm so glad you're back :) And I'm really glad you like these videos :D

[@sufiblacksongkok]

Man I teared up a bit there, and great vid Joe! I haven't seen the movie but I have read the Manga and its unique unlike anything I have read before... To add to Matsumoto brilliant storytelling the Manga itself is in black and white and no colouring, which adds to the theme of loneliness and abandonment. Black and White are indeed the heart of the story, and the styles mirror that of the characters themselves. It deserves the Will Eisner Award Thanks for the vid Joe I'll be sure to watch the movie!

[@5amJones69]

The soundtrack is gorgeous. You won't be disapointed

[@ToriKo_]

Everything about this video is beautiful, but the small extra edits made it even more special! Oddly enough the line that struck a chord with me the most was the one about 'children escaping to their imagination'. To me so much of the little anime and games I consume have to do with going to a place and time that doesn't seem to properly fit within the years I've been alive. 'My Neighbour Totoro' and 'The Last Guardian' seem to be places beyond wherever I am right now. There's parts of my childhood that seem as if they were only a part of my imagination, something I had dreamt up - magical... only to rediscover that these fragments were real (which most recently happened when I watched Laputa Castle in the Sky). The way Tekkonkinkreet has this world and placed you in it, not telling you the rules, is something I find myself consistently enjoying. I think it has to do with the way that my favorite media was consumed as a child; half way through already as it played on TV, before the advent of instant availability, or the ability to rewind; there was no guarantee that you would watch it again, only serendipitously a few years later, when you happened to stumble upon this foreign thing again. I suppose your content is odd to me, in that it is a crossroads of (occasionally) highlighting media I adore because of its "unearthly nostalgia", and the skilful video production that, in contrast, seems like something I can only relatively recently appreciate.

[@ToriKo_]

Wow this comment took more time that I thought to write

[@BeyondGhibli]

I absolutely agree about the way we used to consume media. When I was growing up there was every chance you'd catch a movie half way through and love it, but never find out it's name and potentially never see it again. I can imagine Tekkon being one of those movies honestly, it even has the ethereal quality to it that makes you question whether you even saw it in the first place. When explaining it to people it feels like a film like this couldn't have even existed in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I love our entertainment industry now and the instant gratification it provides... But I'm glad I grew up when I did. It helps me appreciate it all the more!

[@edgepixel8467]

It happened to me with Windaria. One of the first animes I saw as a kid. Made a big impact on me, didn’t see it from the beginning, and it took ages until I found it again.

[@ToriKo_]

@@edgepixel8467 Wow that looks very interesting, I might watch it when I get the chance. How long ago did you watch this?

[@edgepixel8467]

@@ToriKo_ A very long time ago. It's not really that cool now as it imprinted on my teenage self. My young imagination did a great deal of fleshing out the whole thing. The fact that I didn't see it from the beginning contributed to me imagining something greater than it was. It's still a good movie to see, but be aware that it definitely shows its age.

[@Blondesmartarse]

This film looks stunning. So fluid and immersive

[@NoNameAtAll2]

Whatever the time is, I'm always going to watch a video about non-Ghibli talent

[@ericcota4732]

Your points have made me appreciate Tekkonkinkreet even more! Your editing, difficult as it was, looks as professional as ever!

[@tayojones9460]

Awesome video joe. I love films that break the status quo and challenge the audience and this anime does just that.

[@orwwan]

I just found this video browsing your content, and wanted to thank you for making it and shinning some light on this masterpiece, sometimes i feel im the only one who knows about Tekkonkinkreet, beyond the animation and art direction, which is superb and i dare say best in the industry is the raw characters interactions that make this story so heartbreaking, at times I was afraid to progress on the story, and even at the end i wonder if it all happen in my head, and the truth is so bad that the author spared our minds and hearts and told us a lie, a lie we are happy to believe because the other choice is inconceivable. This is a dark story that requires a strong mind to be tackled, thank you for bringing it to the light.

[@xWhiteRice]

god those cityscapes are gorgeous

[@florianizer]

Your essays are amazing! You introduce something I've never heard of and by the end of the video it's my favorite thing ever. Thank you.

[@ballutorts]

Absolutely love the quality and incite of your content. Always fantastic recommendations and I'm excited to watch another of yours. Keep it up man!

[@gnuPirate]

Brilliant overview of a film that was truly genius on every level. Several insights I never thought of and many things I didn't know. In no particular order, Akira, GITS, Tekkonkinkreet, as the best anime films / all time classics. I was unaware Michael Arias was responsible for the bulk of animatrix, but this just reinforces what a brilliant dude he is, and I will need to investigate more of the projects he was involved with.

[@Ghostos1010]

Another wonderful video, Joe! It’s fantastic when you upload, because a lot of the time I haven’t even heard of these incredible gems

[@alexc119]

Another great video, as always! Especially loved the ending.

[@borgestheborg]

Fucking brilliant! This is what anime and manga should be about, pushing boundaries and experimenting with unique ideas. Definitely going on the 'to-watch' list.

[@Radcliffton]

Great video, Joe. Always look forward to your work.

[@shurue8628]

Damnit man, you've done it again. If I never get to the end of my backlog, it'll be your fault, you know that right? In all seriousness though, thanks again for these videos. Every time I think I've seen all there is for me to see in regards to anime, something else comes along that shows a whole other dimension to explore.

[@zam6877]

Wow...I remember seeing so long ago! The dynamics of movement through space created by garishly pimped up buildings, the contrast of tenderness and bravado...all precariously tipping over towards madness and death...well, it kinda blew my young brain

[@TT-qq8np]

Wow. Fantastic, beautiful - you are making art here, and I totally appreciate it. Happy to have found your channel. Love

[@EmpathP]

Excellent video my dear! This is a film I've had on my list to check out, and your video is the motivation I needed to move forward.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa257]

great video. I saw tekkonkinkreet when i was in grade school and its style always stuck with me. i love his work!

[@Frank-do1bg]

Your videos always amaze me.

[@Ulexos]

Oh yes, I've seen this one as well! I remember watching an interview with Michael Arias on KZbin ("ANN Interviews Tekkon Kikreet director Michael Arias") a couple years ago actually

[@BeyondGhibli]

I used some clips from that very video!

[@swtup5950]

That opening was amazing.

[@Adinayla]

One of my favourite movies :)

[@marcoscarrasco92]

I found this movie in a Blockbuster bargain bin back when Blockbuster was still around. And DVDs were still around. It immediately became my favorite anime movie. And it was only then that I started to research its difficult journey, and why it's considered a colossal achievement.

[@acertainexistentbeing8290]

using ping pong's ed at the end was a pretty nice touch

[@jacquelinellerena8725]

This is amazing!

[@ankitbrother]

Edit : I apologize for not paying attention and skipping the credits, The soundtracks are in ending credits ! Excellent points and narration Joe. Please also provide the soundtracks you include in the vids in comments please.

[@athenassigil5820]

Have this film and the manga in a deluxe soft cover. Every few years I go back and slip into Treasure Town and just revel in this quirky unique world.

[@MrSimonEskildsen]

Love this movie so much!

[@gavinknightjackson6307]

My fav film ever made

[@fan4every1lol89]

How in the world have I never heard of this movie before

[@nazgul8637]

Such a good movie and video

[@garybesta1222]

I watched this movie back in 2006 and now have it on Blu-ray. It's a great movie and I highly recommend it to any anime fan out there.

[@BoobooKikiASMR]

Absolutely love it. I have a copy but can't play it right now, as no DVD slot on computer 😛

[@gsutherland3614]

man I cant believe you didnt mention the Plaid soundtrack though!! great vid though. most people don't even know this film

[@anorocamilac]

I love so much the soundtrack

[@Zeitgeist6]

I LOVE this film...

[@Reemelix]

Could you make videos on Ghost in the Shell movies and Metropolis too? I think those combined with this make a perfect circle of this art form.

[@dustintaylor8888]

sooooooo good

[@angelusumbrae]

I've read about, but not yet seen, this beautiful and amazing film. And when the narrator is talking about the bond between Black and White, specifically how Black was thrust into a violent role way too early, it made me think of one particular possibility. What if White had died somehow, and what damning effect would it have on Black?

[@sirkickassalot123]

wow... this is one hell of a review...

[@BadMarriageKawagoe]

Great video, just dropping a comment for the damn algorithm. 4 years and like 80 comments? Ridiculous.

[@florianpeter8714]

I love the question that black and white asks. Is it naive to wanna live in a dream world and ignore the cruel reality, or, is it naive to fight for a cruel world view, when you could fight to see the beauty of it?

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

I bought the DVD years ago when I saw it for 5 bucks in a dollar store and I never saw the movie/ Gonna watch it tomorrow

[@chanezdel1587]

I've seen this one few years ago. One of my favorites ❤ Highly recommand it And you might wanna check "Tokyo's God fathers" too, another beautiful movie. Love your channel sm keep it up sir 👏

[@bruschetta6302]

I'm not the type of guy who have idols and stuff but are you perhaps the God of video essays

[@avalon5957]

Haha Jet Set Radio!

[@Kikilang60]

Damn, I owned this, and lent it out before I could watch it, and never got to watch it.

[@Flat_Erik]

yessssss. thank you so much :), next 9:30 will be awsome for sure

[@kabehzadi]

Really great video! I love when I'm introduced to an anime/style outside of my comfort zone. I actually was watching a lot of french animated films (not sure if they truly qualify as "anime") through Netflix. OH - do you have thoughts about the new season of FLCL after such a long gap? Maybe another topic because it's timely?

[@BeyondGhibli]

I'm waiting until I can binge FLCL so haven't started it yet. Which French films have you watched on Netflix, any recommendations? I recommend 'The Breadwinner'!

[@kabehzadi]

Have you seen "A Cat in Paris" (Une vie de chat)? That was one of the first I saw. I've seen the Triplets of Belleville but that was a requirement of film school. More than any, I recommend Persepolis. The film is the French-Iranian adaptation of the autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. I love the books and the film, I own it all. I'm also half-Iranian so I am aware it's also personal to me The Breadwinner is 100% on my list!

[@BeyondGhibli]

I LOVE Persepolis. I'll definitely check out the other two as well, thanks - always good to get some ideas for what to watch :)

[@sidclark1953]

Good 'un. Thanks for the tip.

[@worrywirt]

Where can I watch this legally?? It looks amazing!

[@kelfi34]

I just watched Tekkonkinkreet and can't help but see parallels to The Cather in the Rye. The themes of isolation, mistrust, and fakeness of the adult world. I think both stories have very tragic backgrounds for their leads yet Tekkonkinkreet has this ability to make you empathize with its leads, that The Catcher in the Ray doesn't for Holden. Admittedly I think making Holden so unlikeable helps emphasize the idea that children/people need empathy regardless of what they're like and we shouldn't be so self-interested. Just a thought please let me know yours.

[@elderxemo92]

background song used???

[@username4570]

How can something become eclectic? It either is pulling from a wide variety of sources and incorporating a wide variety styles or it isn't

[@a.h2o183]

❤

[@kayleegregory770]

Fuck yes

[@zivbartal4160]

Do a video about Howl's Moving Castle

[@MisterDillPickle]

Okay, now ping-pong video when?

[@tenjimmae]

うれしいね わかってくれますか

[@ToriKo_]

!!!!!!

[@onlyone4534]

yah the movie tektekjkiuekionetetekion

[@mho...]

the sad thing is, that the whole movie is pure eyecandy, but i cant help but feel that the faces are just "nightmarish", wich is a true shame! maybe its just me, but i cant help but feel sick to my stomach, everytime i see those faces =/

[@CamsEyeView]

I enjoyed this video and the film, but I felt like the film's biggest failing is that it has a story that's waaaaaaaay too busy. Sure, I get that it can be seen as a positive to a degree, but I lost track at what was going on after a while.

[@bigbrainanime9485]

7:32 Pleeease tell me this isn't someone's ass.

[@EnigmaSeeker2012UAP]

The style is just objectively ugly! But we will let the market decide.

[@jabberwoke1]

No, the style is not "objectively" ugly. Nothing is objectively ugly. Beauty is always completely and totally subjective. Also, when you say that, "we will let the market decide", you have just contradicted your statement of objective ugliness. When something is undeniably and inherently one thing, the "market" can't then decide that it is something else. Truth is truth and real is real.