NoaIzumiAnime review: Animation Runner Kuromi
November 28th 2008 19:48
Kuromi
Recently graduated Kuromi starts her dream job at the animation studio Studio Petit, but on her very first day, her boss is hospitalized and she has to take his place! She is now overseeing the whole studio, and production is already behind schedule. Can she motivate her crew of slackers, or will fans everywhere be let down?
Animation Runner Kuromi is a fun little anime, and a great insight into how the animation process works. Kuromi herself works basically as a go-between, so she interacts with the artists, the director, the editors, etc, allowing the viewer to see all these different aspects of the animation process. The DVD also has a few extras, including a mini-documentary and director’s commentary, which also educate the audience.
Of course, it’s more than just an instructional video. Kuromi is a very cute character, in appearance and actions, and she is the true heart of the story. In spite of the crisis and her own self-doubts, she carries on because she knows that what she’s doing is important. The other characters are well-fleshed out, with the artists in particular being wonderfully eccentric.
The only complaint I have with the story is the length. The production does a great job with forty minutes, but there is more to explore, and I think it would be even better with an hour to work with. But, I guess that’s what Animation Runner Kuromi 2 is for.
Great moment: Kuromi rushes off to collect the key animation, then rushes back to ask where she’s supposed to be going.
Summary: Loads of fun, a must for any anime fan. Grade: A
Rated for ages 13 and up. No violence or sexual content; the only possible objectionable part is that the director character smokes cigarettes.
Screencaps:
All images courtesy of the official Animation Runner Kuromi website:
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