Spring and Chaos

Reviewed By: Carolyn Garner

TokyoPop DVD

Review based on 1 disk

Rating: Not rated

What it’s (basically) all about: Spring and Chaos is the life story of modern Japanese poet and author Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933), using cats as characters, as in Night on the Galactic Railroad, another Miyazawa tale.  The story moves back and forth between Miyazawa’s time as an unconventional teacher, his mostly unhappy time at his parent’s home in Hanamaki in northern Japan (brightened only by a friendship with his younger sister Toshi, and Hanai, a fellow student), and his experiences as a farmhand in the Japanese countryside.  There is much sadness in his life.  Toshi develops tuberculosis.  Hanai loses his idealism and follows a career in the military.  The other farmhands do not accept him.  But through it all, Miyazawa perseveres in writing about his rich imaginary world and trying to understand his path in life.

Nitty Gritty: This single disc includes special features like an Art Gallery, an interview with writer/director Shoji Kawamori (Macross; Escaflowne), sound director/producer Atsumi Tashiro, a brief biography of Miyazawa (the liner notes actually go into more detail about his life), and a trailer for Spring and Chaos.

There’s also a six-page booklet included with the disc that includes bios on Miyazawa and Kawamori and an introductory poem to “Spring and Ashura” by Miyazawa translated into English.

Survey says: TokyoPop released Spring and Chaos unrated, but “appropriate for all ages.” There are no sexual situations or bad language (either dubbed or subtitled) in Spring and Chaos, however some of the scenes with ghosts may be a bit too intense for younger viewers.  Good for teen and adult collections.

Personal Ad: I’ve actually had this title in my own collection for years before I purchased it for the library.  It’s one of those titles that (I think) stretches what anime could be at its best, not only a great story with amazing visuals, but a cultural bridge as well that makes literature accessible to a wide audience.  And I like cats.