Reviews

At it's core, Nisou no Kuzu is riddled with dialectical shifts. It follows 2 submerged individuals, man and a woman, in what is seemingly a couple quarrel. This is where objective evaluation stops as we're evidently left to interpret it however we want. Ultimately, I was left with an impression that it's nothing but a clash of 2 contrasting standpoints. Seeds, fishes, thorns, eggs, ants are serving as instruments of conversation. I don't see them being metaphors for anything in specific.

Subtle nuances in it's narrative are nothing short of confusing, which is most noticeable during it's closure. It's story is filled with details, photo-realistic art is fitting and so are the simple but crisp animations. The evocative sound effects really added up to Nisou no Kuzu's surrealist approach, which I found to be one of the main strengths of this short movie.

If you're looking for something to chew on then this is right down your alley. Furthermore, I'd recommend checking out 'Thinking and Drawing: Nihon no Shinseiki Art Animation' collection featuring other thematically similar works of art.