Even for those who are familiar with classic anime films, Angel’s Egg is still an obscure title. The 1985 movie by Mamoru Oshii went under the radar for a long time, and one of the reasons was its limited distribution. Now, GKIDS is course-correcting history by celebrating the movie’s 40th anniversary and releasing it on U.S. theaters with 4K restoration. The movie is set to be re-released on November 19, and you can check out the new trailer on this article.
The trailer for the restored version of Angel’s Egg showcases the movie’s gorgeous hand-drawn animation — the the best “every frame is a wallpaper” way — and highlights some of its haunting aspects. The story centers around a young girl who is tasked with taking care of an enormous egg as she braves through an underwater city. She believes it is the egg from an angel, but her impression starts to change after she meets a man who talks about a mystical bird.
GKIDS also reminds us that this is the very first time that Angel’s Egg will be released in theaters. Back when it debuted in 1985, the production received a direct-to-video release that significantly hampered its reach. At the same time, it was received with confusion by critics and filmmakers at the time, which made potential fans even less curious about it during many years. The movie earned a cult following, especially through social media, when it became apparent that it was a forgotten gem.
Why Was ‘Angel’s Egg’ So Unpopular?
Even though many people recognize the artistic value of Angel’s Egg nowadays, you still have to be prepared for it. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t spoon-feed information to the audience, and it’s rigged with symbolism that you will try to decipher way after the screening is over. It features everything from Biblical allusions to abstract imagery, and the fact that it has little to no dialogue only increases the challenge of understanding every bit of it.
Luckily for Mamoru Oshii, his genius was recognized through other important works such as the cyberpunk classic Ghost in the Shell, which he released a decade later. For Angel’s Egg, he teamed up with revered artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D) in order to bring the amazing visuals of the movie to life.
AloJapan.com