"Stamp Fantasy" Review: A fascinating fusion of story and visuals

The appeal and evaluation of "Stamp Fantasy" - Kittenogensou

Overview

"Stamp Fantasy" is an animated film that was released on November 26, 1960, and was produced by Kuri Experimental Manga Studio. It was released in theaters and is based on an original anime story. It was distributed by Sogetsu Hall in Tokyo and only had one episode. The film depicts a fantastical world in which stamps are torn apart and animated using paper-cutting animation techniques, causing them to bloom and transform into birds. When it was released, it was shown at the Dosanin Animation Screening.

Production background and staff

The production of "Stamp Fantasy" was handled by Kuri Experimental Manga Studio. The main staff are as follows:

• Produced by: Kuri Experimental Manga Studio
• Illustration: Yoji Kuri
• Photo by: Yoji Kuri
• Directed by: Yoji Kuri
• Music: Hikaru Hayashi

Yoji Kuri was responsible for the illustrations, photography, and direction of this work, utilizing his own experimental animation techniques to complete it, while Hikaru Hayashi was in charge of the music, further enhancing the fantastical worldview.

Characteristics and evaluation of the work

"Stamp Fantasy" is a work that uses a unique technique of tearing up stamps and moving them using the paper-cutting animation technique. This technique was very fresh in the Japanese animation world at the time, and made a visual impact. The work depicts fantastical transformations, such as flowers blooming from the stamps and transforming into birds, providing the audience with a dreamlike experience.

The evaluation of this work can be summarised in the following points:

• Originality : The idea of ​​tearing up stamps to create an animation is extremely original and has a unique charm not found in other works.
• Visual beauty : The use of paper cutting animation techniques resulted in colorful and beautiful images. In particular, the scenes where flowers bloom and the characters transform into birds are visually stunning and captivate the audience.
• A fantastical worldview : The entire production is enveloped in a fantastical atmosphere, providing the audience with a dreamlike experience. The music by Hayashi Hikaru also adds to the worldview.

Historical significance of the work

"Stamp Fantasy" holds a very important position in the world of Japanese animation in the 1960s. This work symbolizes Yoji Kuri's experimental animation techniques and had a major influence on the subsequent development of Japanese animation. Furthermore, the techniques of paper cutting animation were incorporated into later animation works, and became a catalyst for the creation of diverse methods of expression.

Source: "History of Japanese Animation Films" by Yamaguchi Katsunori and Watanabe Yasushi, Planet, p. 261

Recommendations and how to watch

"Stamp Fantasy" is a work with original techniques and a fantastical worldview, and is a must-watch for animation enthusiasts and movie fans, especially for those who want to know the history of Japanese animation in the 1960s and those who are interested in the paper-cutting animation technique.

As for viewing options, although it is not currently available for sale on DVD or Blu-ray, it is sometimes shown at film festivals and special screenings of animations, etc. It is also sometimes available online, so we recommend taking advantage of these opportunities to watch it.

Related works and artists

Yoji Kuri, the director of "Stamp Fantasy", has also produced many other experimental animation works. Some of his representative works include the following:

• The Human Zoo: Released in 1962, this experimental animation depicts the relationship between humans and animals.
• "The Picture Book of Love": Released in 1966, this fantastic animation has a love theme.

These works also allow you to enjoy Kuri Yoji's unique animation techniques and worldview, so if you are interested, please watch them. Kuri Yoji's works are also sometimes exhibited in art galleries and museums, so please take advantage of those opportunities.

summary

"Stamp Fantasy" is a fascinating animated film with a fantastical worldview, created using the original technique of tearing up stamps and moving them using the paper-cutting animation technique. It occupied an important position in the Japanese animation world of the 1960s and had a major influence on the development of animation thereafter. It is a work that animation lovers and movie fans should definitely watch, so please do so if you have the opportunity.