It should come to no surprise to anyone that watches anime that Hentai is porn and therefore is to be left in the shadows for pure erotic enjoyment but that is a reductive way of thinking that harms literally anyone who has an interest in anime as something more than a 2D image that turns 3D.
The world of Urotsukidoji is a harsh one where sex and violence are treated as something of a currency instead of being seen as an act of pure love, which is a naive way of viewing the reality that surrounds it's characters. As a coming-of-age story it relies upon the tradition of sexuality and navigating a mess of thoughts, desires and outcomes. Which is one of the trademark of anyone who comes in contact with the God that is the Chojin, a lust than can never be fulfilled nor can it be tamed. The world of adulthood is just like that, a mess of contradictions and no easy answer that is black or white. Focusing on a creation myth that explains that the world is young and the hybris of man is it's own Achilles heel since we are actually not alone on this planet. There's the intelligent, brutal but wise Beasts (Juujin) and the perverted, reptilian tricksters known as Demons (Makai) who share this myth that the God above all others will be reborn in the human realm and unite them to a image of his own liking.
The titular Chojin is an illusive figure who is much like a lovecraftian, a reality bending deity who's way of thinking is out of our way of understanding. Reborn in a human male in the midst of puberty is something that might seem like a cliche to the average anime viewer of the present, but back in 1987 this was not. One must remember that this was a very costly production with a talented group of people working to make this seinen manga come true, the early days of VHS made it profitable to make expensive auteur driven projects like this, where the individual tape could cost up to 160 $.
In the UK it ranked among the top 3 of rentals in the 90's and has secured it's place within the older western anime fandom as cult classic and to the general public viewed as "snuff cartoons" thanks to a moral panic that took place. But we're getting ahead of ourselves, the focus on concurring the world of sexual adulthood is a theme that shines through the story, (more so thanks to ever present of phallic imagery that would make Tom of Finland blush).
It's characters are dealing with issues that the typical teen regardless of nationality, gender or class can relate to. Bullying, pregnancy, abuse and the transcendent angst that comes with one's puberty and sexual orientation. Even monsterhood is not limited to demons but to some of the human characters as well in this Darwinian hierarchy, where conflict is rampant, and violence is ever present. Assumptions are faulty and no one is sure of one's understanding of how the world works, instead some seek to change to aid these questions and others want to destroy a new world order to fit their own agenda. Old age is forever scared of the potency of youth.
A work where sex and violence is intermingled is guaranteed to make viewers squeamish and this is exactly what director Hideki Takayama said in an interview. Violence, or sexual violence is nothing new in the world of hentai but as a way of communication, talk is cheap, indeed. Bodies of all genders are mashed together in a soup of grotesque sacrifices. Women especially don't need to have an identity but the same goes for the men, they are merely needed to create life. In the eyes of a God they’re sexual math equations.
As a work of the 80's it's designs are wonderful. Supernatural creatures look like a cross between H.R Gieger, David Cronenberg ,Toho kaiju and a interpretation of norse mythology with a Japanese twist. Ever realm has a distinct feel to it, from the organic and yonic world of the Faustian demons. To the regal and more traditionally fantasy inspired world of the Beasts. It’s a thought-out effort to separate and making them unique to one another.
Being far removed from the world of modern day "moe" it has the look of vague hints of realism. Bodies are animated with a buoyancy that's not common in works of today, erotic or otherwise. Human characters look detailed and doesn’t share the same face nor body. While not as color coded as many typical characters they’re individualistic thanks to their beautiful and tragic personalities. Wether it’s the school idol, the jock or the class clown they’re easy to recognize and relate to, through their insecurities and goals.
It’s muted and gritty colour scheme with focus on a neo-noir look is a benefit for its themes. In an oppressive claustrophobic atmospheric world where nihilism reigns. Especially in the later part of the story where a sense of foreboding urgency is taking place. Gothic and almost a nod to the hellscape paintings of Hieronymous Bosch
It should be of no surprise that it’s animation has stood the test of time. Episode 2 was partially animated by Shaft, but it’s main involvement is from the crew behind Spaceship Yamato (1974) and Gundam ZZ (1986) with supervision from the legendary Eiichi Yamamoto (who famously directed the Osamu Tezuka animerama (1969-1973) film series), gives this series a backbone of resources that wasn’t common and still isn’t common in hentai.
Buildings, humans, creatures and worlds explode in feast of colour, creativity and gruesome smoothness that rivals the quality of Akira (1988). It’s been imitated but never surpassed in terms of quality and size, truly ahead of it’s time and a title that really is something that could never been made today.
A classic in every definition of the word.
