Watch Midori

"Midori", also known as "Shōjo Tsubaki" or "Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show", is a controversial 1992 Japanese independent film based on the horror manga of the same name by Suehiro Maruo. Adapted and directed by Hiroshi Harada, it combines elements of horror and historical drama in an avant-garde and disturbing narrative that was largely animated by Harada himself over a period of several years due to the limited budget and lack of studio support.

The film stars voice actors Minako Naka, Norihiko Morishita, and Keinosuke Okamoto who lend their voices to bring to life an array of complex and often grotesque characters. "Midori" is renowned for its unique art style, inspired by early 20th-century Japanese ero guro nansensu, a cultural and artistic movement that focused on the erotic, grotesque, and nonsensical. This film is deeply rooted in this tradition, featuring an art style and story elements that reflect an unsettling juxtaposition of innocence and depravity.

Set in Japan during the early Showa Period, the narrative follows the life of a young girl named Midori after the sudden death of her mother. With no place to go and nobody to turn to, Midori is taken in by a small, run-down traveling circus troupe. The troupe is filled with a variety of performers, each with their own bizarre and, in some cases, disturbing acts, reflecting a society that is both fascinated and repulsed by the abnormal and the deformed.

As Midori becomes part of the circus, she is plunged into a harrowing environment far removed from her previous innocent life. She is exploited and abused, surrounded by misfits and outcasts, who themselves have been shaped by similarly cruel and marginalizing circumstances. Among these is a magician named Mr. Arashi, under whose guidance and protection Midori finds a semblance of refuge, though the circus maintains an undercurrent of dread and darkness.

The film explores themes of abuse, resilience, and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness, digging into the most vulnerable experiences of its young protagonist. It provokes viewers by challenging norms and testing the boundaries of comfort and repulsion. Despite its deeply challenging content, "Midori" offers a critical look at human nature and the ways in which society can both create and destroy innocence.

The visual experience of "Midori" is as extraordinary as its content, made all the more remarkable given the limitations under which Harada worked. The animation style is raw and unpolished, which enhances the nightmarish quality of the movie and amplifies the emotional weight of Midori's story. There's a juxtaposition of detailed, carefully constructed settings with roughly animated characters, which only adds to the surreal, dream-like atmosphere that pervades the film.

The haunting, often discordant soundtrack further sets the tone, capturing the era and the setting with eeriness that complements the hand-drawn animation. Sound effects and music are used to great effect, heightening the tension and unsettling nature of Midori's experiences, while also evoking moments of poignancy that allow brief glimpses of humanity amidst the desolation.

Controversy has surrounded "Midori" since its release, with the film facing censorship issues and being banned from screening in many countries. Its graphic content, disturbing imagery, and adult themes make it an outlier in the landscape of animated films, generally associated with family-friendly content. Harada's work is a far cry from conventional animation; rather, it's a piece of artistic expression that confronts taboo subjects head-on.

While certainly not for everyone due to its explicit content, "Midori" remains a significant piece of underground cinema. It's experimental, challenging, and unforgettable, pushing the boundaries what animation can portray and the complex emotions it can evoke. Viewer discretion is heavily advised for this film, as it is designed to unsettle and provoke strong reactions.

For those interested in the history of Japanese animation and the boundaries of artistic expression, "Midori" offers a unique window into an often underexplored side of the medium. It's an experience that encapsulates the power of animation not only to entertain but also to shock, trouble, and stimulate profound discourse on the darker aspects of human nature and society.