(L) Pale Cocoon

[Ilpalazzo-sama]

Originally Posted by AniDB

In the far future when the continuity of the history has been lost, it is the world where ruins spread to far away. The sea and the sky have disappeared, and the past scenery exists only in the records excavated in the relic.

The Bureau of Record Excavation is an organization responsible for this task. Ura works for the 92nd office of the bureau. He is absorbed in various records and the world in the past. Riko keeps a little distance to watch him, and she averts her eyes from the records.

Everyone in this world knows that to know the past means to know the misery of this world.

One day, Ura restores a strange video.

I did a search and I found nothing about this... oh well. So, this is an independent, CG anime, only 22 mins or so long, pretty dark, utopistic and such -- and surprisingly good. It is out on DVD and HF is actually subbed it (or, more like ripped, edited and released it, that's why i though i should post this here instead of the fansub section). Have you seen it? What do you think?

[NoSanninWa]

Indeed I saw this. I liked it a great deal. It was a slow gentle and slightly moody piece about the importance of history. I don't really want to give away anything, even minor spoilers to people who haven't seen the show, so I'll make my comments in spoiler tags.

Spoiler for theme:

What I found interesting about the theme of this show was the importance of history. Usually the saying is, "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." This show takes an entirely different tact. In Pale Cocoon we learn that we need to know history in order to understand ourselves. Without knowing where we come from, we can't figure out where we can go.

Quite brilliant.

This show can be completely ruined for the viewer if he's seen even the slightest spoilers, so I'll ask that everyone be careful t use spoiler tags until this thread is on page 2. People read the first few posts of a thread to decide if they want to purchase a DVD or watch a fansub, so keep all spoilers off of page 1. Please! Here's how to create a spoiler tag:

[spoiler=Pale Cocoon] I kept expecting a giant cicada to come out of the pale cocoon. [/spoiler]

Will create this:

Spoiler for Pale Coocoon:

I kept expecting a giant cicada to come out of the pale cocoon.

[Maceart]

I saw it. It was a beautifully done little piece. The insert song was amazing. Just the right atmosphere for it. Gave me a nice Planetarian ~Reverie of the Little Planet~ feel.

[clem-kun]

I loved it. Best OVA I've ever seen, to tell you the truth. The theme, art, and music are all spectacular - high-quality for an independent OVA. And I love how the ending is open for interpretation.

The insert song receives much love from me. In reality, I think "Little Moa" sings it.

[ladholyman]

Subbing this tends to be on the tedious side... look at the scrolling text!

[Calca]

Shouldn't this be moved to the sub section?

[NoSanninWa]

Originally Posted by Streetor

Shouldn't this be moved to the sub section?

No. We don't have a DVD-rip section. Fansubs require fan translation. Big hint: It is NOT listed on AnimeSuki.

[orion]

Spoiler for Pale Cocoon subtitles:

Yeah, but I read that the subtitles were improved upon in the version I have from the original. Is that so? If so, doesn't it count as a fansub?

[Lost]

Honestly, the animation/CGI/graphics level here was the Anime equivalent of DOOM 3.

Spoiler for NSW says pressing this if you haven watched the episode will spoil you bad:

Not only that, I agree, the insert song was It had such an enchanting rhythm and melancholic soft voice - coupled with scenes of Ura in violent transit to his "destination" it was beautiful - and when I tot it couldn't get any better, the song started to get peaceful, more mellowed, when Ura reached the sky.

My favourite line ~ "During the peaceful time when God was here" - to me, pretty much summed up the contrast between history and the present.

The themes I got off from here was that of closed space and closed minds.

Closed space; the "cocoon" of Moon they could not escape from -- or rather they did not want to escape from, because of Closed minds; Ura's boss, questioning the factuality of the Archives, because he did not want to believe in them, Riko too, because she did not want to be reminded of what was lost by humanity -- reflected in the general public, by the decrease in number of people working in that place.

Its linked really; How closed space breeded closed minds; and closed minds in turn maintained closed space. In effect: Not getting info from the surface world as they lived in closed darkness, meant they rather not delve into availiable info that might be related, hence causing them to remain in that darkness and not strive to break closed space, when actually, as Ura discovered in the end, the real truth ~ the motherstar did awaken; Earth wasnt just in an archive, hell, they werent even on Earth. That truth would have broken their closed minds, and have facilitated the breaking of their closed space, yet, I think, Ura will have carried it to his death.

Then again, the front parts shows a dishevelled him struggling down the stairs.. flashback? Abit confusing really. If he really got back down the stairs, then there might still be hope.

Or maybe I misinterpreted.

Ahhh! Thats the thing.. There are so many symbolisms and themes in this "short" 22 minutes. Many rewatches will be needed. I especially wonder about the inclusion of "I will not forget you" as the last line of the song, and how the line/idea that "there are things you want to stay the same" was repeated at least twice in the show. Something is bugging me about those two.

Lovely.

[kj1980]

If you liked "Pale Cocoon," I also suggest "Mizu no Kotoba" ("Aquatic Language"). It's done by the same person, Yoshiura Yasuhiro. He's one of the most highly watched amateur CG animators since Shinkai Makoto.

You can go visit Studio Rikka's HP here: http://www.studio-rikka.com/

[Lost]

Thank you, cant try it at the moment tho. Just want to ask, is it his (Yoshiura Yasuhiro's) fashion to do one episode OAVs like that? Are there any others in a similiar vein?

[DaFool]

Besides Shinkai Makoto and Yoshiura Yasuhiro:

There's also Romanov Higa (URDA, Tank SWAT OVA), and the guy who did
Rain, the Little Girl, and My Letter as well as art for Kiba.

You are looking for what are essentially one-man animation studios, though the term 'amateur' doesn't describe them since they do commercial commissions as well as employ the rest of the industry depending on their projects.

They do OVAs / ONAs / shorts primarily because of budget constraints and so that they can play these at animation festivals all over the world to get more exposure. They can't just up and come with a 1-2 kur anime series without having built a portfolio.

We must pay attention to them since they are essentially the leaders of the next generation amidst all the outsourcing, the attrition at the studios due to poor pay, oversaturation, etc.

[Lost]

Cool, ty, will keep their names in mind. One wonders how they release such works commercially.. I mean; a six minute film on DVD?

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Lost

Cool, ty, will keep their names in mind. One wonders how they release such works commercially.. I mean; a six minute film on DVD?

These guys are not in it for commercial release, these guys are mainly in it who are against the norm, people who have talent and building their portfolio. It's much like independent films artists of Sundance, except it's CG anime.

If anyone is interested, Nihonbashi in Osaka has a project going called CG Anime Mura in which they are trying adamantly to become the central focal city of all amateur CG animations. Many CG animators across the globe has talent, but they tend to lack a central place where they can exhibit their works to the masses.

They did a special panel at this year's Anime Expo in Anaheim, CA as well at the Japan Expo in Paris, France. If any aspiring amateur CG animators would like to showcase their talent, be sure to check that site out - they'll be taking in submissions for their upcoming Nihonbashi CG Anime Festival from across the globe.

[sexg0d]

wow this was rather good! esp the music, btw does anyone know who sang that song?(the song around the 17th minute) and is it out to buy yet by the artist

[Skane]

Just wanted to let people know that one of the AMVs in the finals for AMV.org is based on Pale Cocoon.

Galaxy Bounce

Don't cheat yourself by watching it from YouTube. This AMV is beautiful, and deserves to be seen in its' "full glory".

Cheers.

[jedinat]

Originally Posted by Skane

Just wanted to let people know that one of the AMVs in the finals for AMV.org is based on Pale Cocoon.

Galaxy Bounce

Don't cheat yourself by watching it from YouTube. This AMV is beautiful, and deserves to be seen in its' "full glory".

Cheers.

Cool video... don't really get why they bothered to put a 2 second clip from another anime in it though (Tweeny Witches)
Nice quality stream here. It looks like you have to register to download it on AMV.org

[guest]

Am I missing something here? From what you guys said, pale cocoon would be out on DVD in NA already but I can't find any info about it. Are you sure that it is out in NA?

[Maceart]

I don't believe it's licensed, it's just that the Japanese R2 DVD release had english subtitles on it.

[germanturkey]

rather fantastic. definitely gave me a Makoto Shinkai feel. the story and presentation were on par. plus the insert song is amazing. apparently the OST was released only a few days ago? Aoi Tamago absolutely blew me out of the water. it was so unexpected.