Kurayukaba

Business is slow for the Ootsuji Detective Agency. Soutarou and his juvenile sidekick Saki will take any job that comes along, even one that sounds like a lot more risk than it’s worth. It’s festival season in the city but away from the public eye, a wave of mysterious disappearances has occurred. A newspaperman hires Soutarou to investigate, suggesting that answers might lie somewhere in the Dark, the notorious, anarchic maze that is the city’s physical, social, and moral underground. Soutarou subcontracts the gig to Saki, but soon enough regrets it when the kid also goes missing. Now Soutarou is obligated to venture into the Dark himself, and confront its dubious subterranean denizens, including the malicious Laughing Masks gang and the renegade police squad piloting the fearsome Demon 463 armored train!

(Source: Fantasia, edited)

Soutarou Main

Kanda, Hakuzan Japanese

Tanne Supporting

Kurosawa, Tomoyo Japanese

Tomeomi Supporting

Inarizaka Supporting

Sakamoto, Raikou Japanese

Command Team Leader Supporting

Satou, Setsuji Japanese

Saki Supporting

Serizawa, Yuu Japanese

Matsu Supporting

Karino, Shou Japanese

Tsukahara, Shigeyoshi Director, Original Creator, Screenplay

Kimura, Eriko Sound Director

CHARAN-PO-RANTAN Theme Song Performance

Akatsuki, Chota Animation Director, Music

Reviews

May 13, 2024

Persona111

Recommended

I won't write home about how this is an underrated masterpiece and everyone should watch it and such, 'cause it isn't. This is almost intrinsecally niche, showcasing a hazy plot that doesn't even aim to be complete whatsoever. What I mean by this is, Kurayukaba is unapologeticaly unconventional, pathologically enigmatic and, even then, I completely felt for it, from beggining to end. And believe me, if you're a sucker for rich worlbuildings- specially for steampunk settings-, atmospheric and clever- even if sometimes confusing- storytelling or experimental art, then this is certainly worth your time.

If you feel tempted to watch this film, even if just a ... bit, then it's noteworthy to say that this belongs to a two-film project, the other one being Kuramekukagari, both 1-hour long. I haven't watched the latter, but it seems just as interesting as this one. Even then, what about Kurayukaba? What makes it good or special? Well, first and foremost: it's setting. This film feels limited both by budget and timelenght, and even then it does everything and then some to sell you in it's vast, dynamic and eerie world, prompted by amazing art direction, active efforts to deepen in small yet rich details of the scenary whenever it's possible and a general sense of atmosphere, an uncomfortable call to your curiosity and desire to discover more about what's hidden in the darkness of the rails. It has been long, and I mean, very long, since I felt so fascinated by a fictional setting, since I had that sensation that, if I could take control of the camera and look around, I'd find life and secrets in every corner.

On the other hand, the plot suffers a bit more due to the lack of time, but the film tackles that issue in the best way possible: not a single dialog seems wasted, things are left for the viewer to figure out and the story progresses at a pace that both let's you appreciate the world around you, but doesn't let you enough time to lose the sense of speed and dizzyness of the overall mistery. In the end, we don't arrive at a definitive answer, the world is too vast to unravel and we just witnessed a small stage where things happened before and after. It could be more well rounded up, but considering it's limitations, it felt like the best experience possible around the strambotic premisse of this narrative.

In conclusion, this gave me a very specific vibe, one I rarely feel, in fantasy stories such as Robert Holdstock's Lavondyss, or dark, misteryous tales such as Midori (the non-rapey parts I mean), a feeling that there's always something bigger than you, some enticing magic on the words and imagery that will swallow you up anytime or wake you up at the snap of a finger. And that's, I believe, one of the most powerful feelings a work of art can ever make you feel.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Apr 14, 2024

Tardivex

Mixed Feelings

The atmospheric setting of the narrative evokes a blend of metropolitan energy and industrial-era rusticity, with some small steampunk undertones for some vehicles. Set against the backdrop of the industrial revolution, the story unfolds in the labyrinthine tunnels of an underground railway system, teeming with vibrant communities and towns.

Centered around a detective grappling with a perplexing missing persons case, each crime scene is marked by enigmatic symbols, drawing him inexorably into the depths of the underground. Beginning his investigation by infiltrating the notorious Laughing Masks gang, the detective soon discovers that the true perpetrators lurk in the shadows, orchestrating events with sinister intent.

As the plot ... unfolds, the narrative takes a somewhat jarring turn in its final act. The detective's sudden recollection of crucial details regarding the culprits, attributed to a mysterious form of hypnotic suggestion, feels somewhat contrived. Nonetheless, the narrative presses onward as the protagonist accompanied by the enigmatic Tanne, delve deeper into the murky depths of the underground.

Throughout their journey, Tanne, a figure shrouded in mystery, accompanies the detective, hinting at a deeper backstory that remains tantalizingly elusive. However, despite these hints, the narrative fails to fully explore her character, leaving the audience yearning for a deeper understanding of her role in the unfolding events.

While the resolution of the case ultimately feels somewhat lacking in depth, it is evident that the narrative is constrained by the limitations of its runtime, leaving many intriguing threads unresolved. Despite this, the film's richly atmospheric setting and compelling premise ensure an engaging viewing experience, even if the resolution may leave some viewers wanting more.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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May 26, 2024

BehavX

Mixed Feelings

Kurayukaba is an anime that brings a one of a kind mix of metropolitan vitality and industrial-era rusticity, with inconspicuous steampunk connotations. Set against the background of the mechanical transformation, the story unfurls within the overly complex burrows of an underground railroad framework, overflowing with dynamic communities and towns. This climatic setting gives a outwardly wealthy and locks in background for the story.

Plot and Storytelling

The account centers around a analyst hooking with a confusing lost people case. Each wrongdoing scene is checked by baffling images, drawing him unyieldingly into the profundities of the underground. The detective starts his examination by invading the infamous ... Snickering Covers pack, as it were to find that the genuine culprits hide within the shadows, organizing occasions with evil expectation. The setting is luxuriously nitty gritty, bringing out a mix of metropolitan vitality and industrial-era rusticity. The underground railroad framework, with its dynamic communities and perplexing plan, could be a standout highlight. The puzzle encompassing the lost people and the cryptic images at the wrongdoing scenes makes an locks in and compelling story snare. The plot takes a to some degree bumping turn in its last act. The detective's sudden memory of vital subtle elements with respect to the guilty parties, ascribed to a secretive frame of trancelike recommendation, feels to some degree thought up and disturbs the account stream. The determination of the case feels missing in profundity, compelled by the impediments of the runtime. Numerous interesting strings stay uncertain, clearing out the group of onlookers with a sense of deficiency.

Characters

The detective is a compelling character, driven by a solid sense of equity and ethical judgment. His travel through the underground railroad framework includes profundity to his character. Throughout his journey, the detective is accompanied by the enigmatic Tanne, a figure shrouded in mystery. Her presence hints at a deeper backstory that remains tantalizingly elusive. Despite hints at a deeper backstory, the narrative fails to fully explore Tanne’s character

Visuals and Animation

Visually, "Kurayukaba" is a standout piece. The steampunk aesthetic, although subtle, enhances the overall atmosphere, and the art direction is particularly noteworthy. The mix of metropolitan and industrial-era components makes a outwardly captivating setting. The underground railroad framework is fastidiously planned, including to the immersive involvement. The activity is liquid and point by point, especially in activity arrangements, bringing the steampunk world to life in a outwardly locks in way. There are occasional dips in animation quality, particularly in less critical scenes, which was very jarring for me.

Sound and Music

The sound plan and melodic score of "Kurayukaba" complement its visual and story components well, improving the in general environment of the arrangement. The music successfully captures the substance of the steampunk and noir sorts, including to the immersive involvement. The voice performing artists convey solid exhibitions, bringing their characters to life with feeling and subtlety. At times, the sound blending might be progressed, with discourse every so often being overwhelmed by the foundation music or impacts

Conclusion

"Kurayukaba" is an yearning anime that gives a interesting and outwardly dazzling involvement. Its luxuriously climatic setting and compelling introduce guarantee an locks in seeing involvement, in spite of the narrative's pacing issues and immature character curves.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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