Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai

Two historical movies set in very different eras but both have a very similar artistic touch, combining the real with the imaginary in a seamless way, incorporating the drawings of the characters into the animation itself. Magical realism at its best. Miss Hokusai is based on the myths and legends around a very famous and real artist, whereas In This Corner of the World is based on a very famous and real event, told through the lives of the characters.  

The other is about a real woman and the other is based on a classic epic but both take place in the Edo period and have some supernatural elements. Both Sarusuberi and Fuse have gorgeous visuals and animation and are a must-watch for those who like historical anime movies. 

A touch of history. A touch of fantasy. And a whole lot of Easter eggs for fans the respective protagonists and their works. Both films are fictionalised and embellished biographies of prominent Japanese historical figures. Kaze Tachinu focuses on the Japanese aerospace engineer who designed the infamous Zero planes used in WWII, with a largely linear storyline. Sarusuberi looks at the life around the artist famed for the woodblock print series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji', as a series of independent stories viewed through the lens of his daughter and pieced together in a mosaic-like way. Rich in historical detail of their respective eras, and with hints of magical realism; both pieces of work are expertly animated to fully bring out the charms of the characters and the time. read more 

These series have a lot in common: - Both slow paced stories - Very beautiful surroundings, beautifully drawn - Supernatural themed - Good storylines 

Both take place in a similar time, both deal about a main character doing something artistic. Both *masters* have a daughter that catches the eye of their students. Both daughters have a very similar character.  

- Lots of references to well-known traditional Japanese paintings such as 36 Views of Mount Fuji and The Witch and the Skeleton Spectre. Featured works are more general in Sarusuberi and more mythology-focused in Ponpoko. - Magical realism. Clever interweaving of fictional aspects into a real-world historical setting. - Heavy use of traditional songs and music. This is more evident in Ponpoko, featuring lots of Japanese folk songs to invoke nostalgia in the post-Showa audience. Sarusuberi is more adventurous and plays around with the traditional sounds to create something fresh. - Both films are set in Tokyo/Edo. - Both films document the societal changes taking place in the background at the turn of an era (the end of the Showa and Edo periods). This is done more subtly in Sarusuberi, but is one of the main focuses of Ponpoko. read more 

- Quirky, cool, and anachronistic music. - Great action sequences; fights in the case of Samurai Champloo and the magical realism elements in Miss Hokusai. - Setting in both series are very similar (Edo-era Japan/alternate universe Edo Japan). - Miss Hokusai is closely based on real events and people, whereas Samurai Champloo only references certain real events and people in a fictionalised context. The big difference between the two is that Samurai Champloo is an action-based anime with a major plotline, and Miss Hokusai is a collection of stories from the lives of the featured artists jigsawed together into a biopic. 

- A peek into life during the Edo period in Japan - Both have moments that take place in Yoshiwara, the historic red-light district - MCs with quirky, eccentric, and straightforward personalities - Great music 

Both films focus on women living in distinct historical moments (medieval France in Maria, Edo-era Japan in Hokusai) and having to navigate society's expectations of them and their own ideologies that run counter to those expectations. 

Both anime focus on artists who work on honing their craft in connection with changing their worldviews. Miss Hokusai takes place in Edo-era Japan, while Blue Period is set in a modern day high school. 

Both are historical movies in an autobiography-inspired style of storytelling. Both focus on iconic individuals in Japanese art and literature history. Both stories are grounded in reality but use surreal imagery as a storytelling device. Both feature Feudal Japan - Genji Monogatari takes place in Heisei period and Miss Hokusai during the Edo Period.