Casshern (2004) [all images come from the movie's trailer]
 Official Web Site
By Jmaruyama

Theme Song

Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro (Time To Make One’s Dreams Come True)
Lyrics: Utada Hikaru
Performed by: Utada Hikaru

Cast

- Iseya Yusuke (Azuma Tetsuya/Casshern)
- Asou Kumiko (Kozuki Luna)
- Terao Akira (Professor Kotaro Azuma)
- Higuchi Kanako (Midori Azuma)
- Kohinata Fumiyo (Professor Kozuki)
- Nishijima Hidetoshi (Lt. Colonel Kamijo)
- Oikawa Mitsuhiro (Naito Kaoru)
- Otaki Hideji (General Kamijou)
- Karasawa Toshiaki (Burai)
- Kaname Jun (Barashin)
- Sada Mayumi (Sagure)
- Mayasako Hiroyuki (Akubon)
- Terajima Susumu (Sakamoto)
- Mihashi Tatsuya (Old Doctor)

Story/Plot

On an alternate world with a decidedly different history, World War II does not end for at least another fifty years. The Earth is now divided and controlled by two opposing alliances: The Greater Eastern Federation, which controls most of the Pacific and much of Asia and the Federation of Europa (Europe) which controls the European Continent and much of the Atlantic.

As the story begins the Greater Eastern Federation has finally triumphed over the forces of Europa and gains dominion over the Eurasian continent.

However, it is an empty victory as much of the Earth has been decimated by years of chemical, biological and nuclear war. Much of the world’s surface has been turned into a barren wasteland and an exhausted population is at the mercy of newly-mutated diseases.

It seems that there's little hope for humanity's future. Debate rages in Japan over the chances of finding some way to prevent the extermination of humankind.

One man comes forward with a possible solution. Famed geneticist Prof. Kotaro Azuma proposes the creation and distribution of "Neo-Cells" (Shinzou Saibou), which can rejuvenate the body and regenerate human DNA cells.

He's driven in his studies by a desire to save his beloved wife, Midori, from the ravages of a pollution-related disease.

Prof. Azuma appeals to the government for funding of this project but the politicians in the Health Ministry led by Lt. Colonel Kamijo (son of the reigning Japanese Military Dictator, General Kamijo) turn him down, fearing that the new technology will threaten their entrenched powers.

However, a sinister faction in the powerful military led by shady politician Naito Kaoru makes a secret offer to provide the support Prof. Azuma needs to further his research.

Prof. Azuma cautiously proceeds with his experiments backed by Naito’s funding. During this time, Prof. Azuma’s only son Tetsuya is killed while serving out his remaining days of military service on the warfront. His body is flown back to the Azuma home. The shock is too much for his mother Midori and she further drifts into sickness. Tetsuya’s fiancé, Luna is also devastated by the news.

Prof. Azuma vows to continue with his research to not only save his wife but reanimate his dead son.

However, one night a freak accident occurs in the Professor Azuma’s lab which causes the "Neo-Cell" cloning experiment to go haywire. As a result the lifeless bodies of his test cadavers are re-animated into a race of mutant human beings (Shinzo Ningen). One of those affected is Tetsuya who is “reborn”.

Lt. Colonel Kamijo’s forces break into Professor Azuma’s lab and begin to kill all of the newly revived Shinzo Ningen. Many are slaughtered but a few escape into the snow and wilderness including Tetsuya.

Four of the Shinzo Ningen flee to the European Continent where they reach a long deserted European castle. There they began to plan and plot their revenge against the humans who slaughtered their brethren.

Months later, after assembling a massive mechanized army of deadly robots and killing machines, the Shinzo Ningen’s leader calling himself “Burai” launches an attack on Japan and the Eastern Federation.

The Federation forces are no match against the forces of the Shinzo Ningen and all seems lost, until from the shadows of the destruction comes a shining white figure with superhuman strength and miraculous speed. It is Azuma Tetsuya. Calling himself Casshern, he launches a one-man war to stop the Shinzo Ningen and bring peace back to the world.

Review

Kiriya Kazuaki’s stunningly beautiful debut film “Casshern” may disorient fans of the original Tatsunoko Pro series from which it was adapted.

While most of the changes are minor and don’t really differ that greatly from the original source, the dark and almost tragic aspects of the film make this less a Superhero story and more a tragic tale of broken dreams and loves.

“Casshern” is decidedly an anti-War film and hammers that point across with its frequent images of destruction, death, torture and human suffering. Yet, intertwined with these images is Kiriya’s dreamy and almost surreal visions of a “steampunk” world of the future. “Casshern” reminds me a lot of Luc Besson’s “Fifth Element” (1997) and I’m almost certain that this was intentional on the part of Kiriya.

Like Besson, Kiriya has a very unique flare for design, and imagery and infuses “Casshern” with not only impressive CGI and VFX work but also glorious backgrounds and matte paintings that rival Hollywood productions.

That being said however, the story does tend to be a bit overly patronizing in its tone and the bleak ending may be a bit of overkill but the characters are likeable enough and even the Shinzou Ningen are portrayed in a more sympathetic light. In Kiriya’s world of “Casshern” the true villains are the non the non-humans but rather the humans in the Military and the Totalitarian Government of the future.

“Casshern” will probably not appeal to those who are expecting a more literal translation of the series but I for one consider this “Casshern” a fairly decent take on the series albeit a bleak and tragic one.

Trivia

Having studied and worked in New York, Kiriya Kazuaki began his career in Japan as a fashion and print Ad photographer . His photographs graced the album covers of such J-Pop singers such as Misia and Utada Hikaru. Kiriya and Utada collaborated further on her music videos producing such inventive and innovative videos for song such as “Sakura Drops”, “Traveling”, “Final Distance”, and “Hikaru”. Kiriya and Utada would later marry in 2003.

Screenwriter Suga Shotaro has contributed writing credits to the seminal series “Kokaku Kidotai: StandAlone Complex” (Production I.G./Bandai; 2002).

Sato Dai’s writing credits include episodes of the groundbreaking “Cowboy Bebop” (Sunrise; 1998).

Iseya Yusuke’s film debut was in Koreeda Hirokazu’s “Wonderful Life” (AKA Afterlife; Engine Films; 1999). He has subsequently starred in other smaller independent films just as “Kinpatsu No Sogen” (Blonde Fields; Sanado, 1999), “Distance” (Engine Films; 2001), “Gaichu” (Deadly Insects; Nikkatsu, 2001) and “Dead End Run” (Real Product; 2003). Iseya studied theatre in New York for a year and has also

Beautiful Asou Kumiko has starred in a number of big projects including “Kairo” (CineCannon; 2001), “Red Shadow: Akakage” (Toei, 2001), “Inochi” (Life; Toei, 2002), and “Makai Tensho” (Samurai Reincarnation; Toei, 2003). Asou can also be currently seen in Miike Takashi’s warped Superhero tribute “Zebraman” (Toei, 2004).

Terao Akira can best be remembered as gruff detective Matsuda Takeshi in the Japanese cult TV police drama “Seibu Keisatsu” (Western Policee; Ishinomori Pro, 1979). Multi-talented Terao would also gain fame as a singer with the hit J-Pop song “Ruby No Yubiwa” (Red Ruby Ring) released in 1981. He would later go on to collaborate with Akira Kurosawa on three films: “Ran” (Toho, 1985), “Dreams” (Toho, 1990) and “Madadayo” (Toho, 1993). While continuing work as a singer, Terao’s would go on to star in such films as “Shitsurakuen” (Lost Paradise; Toei, 1997), “Mothra” (Toho, 1996), “Cat’s Eye” (1997) and “Amida-Do Diary” (Letters From the Mountain; Toho, 2003).

Gorgeous Sada Mayumi began her career as a magazine model for the publication “vivi”. Having a talent for singing and music she soon joined the Avex Music Label where she produced several singles including “Ever After”, “Pray”, “Freedom” and “Kiseki”. She would later star as the heroine in the low budget movie “Tenshi No Kiba: B.T.A.” (Fangs of An Angel: B.T.A.; 2003).

Tokusatsu fans should immediately recognize Kaname Jun as Major Inspector Makoto Hikawa/Masked Rider G-3 in the series “Kamen Rider Agito” (Toei, 2001).

Popular actor Oikawa Mitsuhiro has starred in a number of J-Drama’s including “With Love” (Fuji TV, 1998), “Koori No Sekai” (Ice World; Fuji TV, 1999), “Oyaji” (Dad; TBS, 2000) “Koi Ga Shitai, Koi Ga Shitai, Koi Ga Shitai” (I Want To Fall In Love; TBS, 2001) and “Manhattan Love Story” (TBS, 2003). Oikawa also starred in Miike Takashi’s cult film “Hyoryuu Gai” (AKA City of Lost Souls, 2000). Oikawa can also currently be seen as the Androgynous villain “Black Claw” in the Go Nagai Live Action adaptation of “Cutie Honey” with Sato Eriko (Toei, 2003).

Intimidating actor Terajima Susumu has often played various assorted criminals, maniacs and Yakuza in a number of films including “Sono Otoko, Kyobo Ni Tsuki (AKA Violent Cop, 1989), “Sonotine” (1993), “Hana-Bi” (1997), “Gohatto” (AKA Taboo, 1999), “Brother” (2000), “Koroshi No Ichi” (Ichi The Killer, 2001), and “Moon Child” (2003).

Veteran actor Otaki Hideji will always be known for his character role as Inspector Funamura Ippei in the long running TV Detective Drama “Tokusou Saizensen” (Frontline Investigation; 1977). Otaki’s long list of credits include “Noroi No Yakata: Chi O Su Me” (AKA Bloodthirsty Eyes; Toho, 1971), “Kozure Okami: Meifumando” (Baby Cart in the Land of Demons; Toho, 1973), “Yami no karyudo” (Hunter In The Dark; Shochiku, 1979), “Tanpopo” (1985), and “Marusa No Onna (A Taxing Woman, 1987).

Karasawa Toshiaki is another familiar face in J-Drama and has appeared in a number of series including: “Ai To Iu Nano Moto Ni” (In The Name of Love; Fuji TV, 1992), “Homework” (TBS, 1992), “Brothers” (Fuji TV, 1998), “Love Complex” (Fuji TV, 2000), and “Shiroi Kyoto” (The Great White Tower;Fuji TV, 2003).

Jmaruyama