It is a pity that Human Zoo has so much potential, but it is almost wasted.
Like other Kuri Yoji works, the emphasis on provoking emotions is there in Human Zoo through twisted minimalist imagery. The art looks like a five year old's drawing, though I may be giving too much credit to the art. What is more important however is his usage of the drawings.
Human Zoo explores animal abuse, power, and marriages. We see repeated viewings of the wife abusing the husband; for example, a wife will sit on the husband.
And that's about it.
Compare Human Zoo to his other works like Ai and there is more substance; Ai is about exploring the dark side of love and Kuri Yoji uses the drawings and sound to create an eerie atmosphere. Human Zoo has nothing of that sort.
I feel that the idea of Human Zoo is noble and witty, but the execution is sloppy and lazy. How does 2 minutes of seeing wives sit on husbands be either entertaining or thought-provoking?
That said, I did not entirely hate the work nor did I like it. I prefer other Kuri Yoji works and for those starting to watch his works, I suggest Ai as a better starter. People who already have seen his other works can give this a watch.
I wished Human Zoo didn't disappoint me. I really do.
