Tsumiki no Ie

The animation is very pretty. I don't know if it would be considered "anime" in the traditional sense, but that's for more knowledgeable people than me to decide. The music is beautiful and used to great effect. There's no dialogue, but despite that you get a very good feel for the main character.

The plot, and with it, the world it exists in, can probably either be taken literally or metaphorically or both. The main character lives alone in a house in a water-world of sorts. The sea is always rising, and as it does, he has to keep building additional levels above as the ... lower levels flood. He, and previously his family, started on the ground level, and moved up as this happened. As the latest sea-level rise happens he drops his pipe down an opening, so he dons some scuba gear to go get it. While down there he opens the next portal down, and starts revisiting memories from that level. That continues as you see all the way to his earliest childhood memories where he's spending time with his wife-to-be as young kids.

Don't get caught up in the technicalities, like "how did the world get this way?" and "does his daughter have her own house, and does she visit him?". Keep the MST3K maxim in mind: "Just repeat to yourself, 'It's just a show, I should really just relax.' "

The point is, he's lived a long life, and made a lot of memories. Each floor was a chapter of his life that he started, then the sea rose (the sea being a metaphor for time) as it inevitably does in this world, and a new floor was built on top of it and they moved up. Literally in physical space, but also in chronological age. And revisiting those floors meant revisiting those memories, many of them mundane, everyday stuff. But when you get older, a lot of times it's the mundane, everyday stuff that you miss about the people you can't be with anymore. Either because they've passed away, or because times have changed, and they've changed, or you've changed.

The other thing is there are other houses but you really don't see other people in them. The houses also aren't all as tall as his. Some are very short, maybe one or two stories. The implication may be that other people in his town, or in his life, may have had their own stories similar to his, but they themselves have passed on. Everyone is building their house against the ever-rising tide of time.

This was a great film. I don't know if it'll resonate with everyone. This is one that's probably worth coming back to every 10 years or so, as it'll probably hit different as you get older.

From the moment I started watching, I was captivated by the amazing artstyle, animation, and overall vibe that the anime exuded. The message that this anime conveys is truly beautiful, and I believe it is a work of genius that is worthy of attention from anyone who appreciates good storytelling.

The fact that the anime manages to convey so much in just 12 minutes is truly astounding. Katou Kunio has done an exceptional job of delving deep into the theme of loneliness and how memories can serve as a lifeline to those who are struggling to find purpose in their lives. The symbols and metaphors used ... in the anime are incredibly powerful and thought-provoking, highlighting the effects of time on our lives and the struggle to find meaning and purpose.

The subtlety and calmness of the background music are a perfect match for the overall tone of the anime, creating an immersive experience that pulled me in from the very beginning. The feeling of loneliness and the connection with the main character are incredibly relatable, making me question my own life and what I would do if I found myself in a similar situation.

The memories of childhood, love, affection, and family that the main character reminisces about are heartwarming and add depth to the story, making it more relatable and impactful. The whole concept of Tsumiki no Ie is truly astonishing, and I believe it is a work that everyone should watch and appreciate.

In conclusion, Tsumiki no Ie is an anime that I highly recommend. It is short, but it packs a powerful punch that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it. The message that this anime conveys is really beautiful, and the genius work of Katou Kunio has made this anime a timeless classic that deserves all the attention it can get.

Unlike most of the other reviewers who pissed themselves stupid with some notion that this is a masterpiece of some metaphorical/philosophical greatness. It's not. There I said it, it is really a waste of 12ish minutes of your life. If you're a student of art definitely watch it, or if you're like me and "like art but nah not my bag", then don't waste your time.

Pros: Artsy, nothing else.

Cons: Bad music, no acceptable lines of speech, non-interesting or intriguing characters, story has little to no substance.

If there was some story attesting to how this world became flooded and why does it keep rising, or interaction ... between neighbors then there would be a story but there is none. Smoke, stare, eat, maybe build, brood about things that were, that really is the extent of this "anime".