The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji

1987 · 110 min · JA · 6.0 (22 votes)
Dir. Gisaburō Sugii · Starring Morio Kazama, Midori Hagio, Miwako Kaji, Reiko Ōhara, Megumi Yokoyama, Jun Fubuki · Music Haruomi Hosono
AnimationDramaRomance

Genji, the son of the emperor, is the talk of the Kyoto nobility for his charm and good looks, yet he cannot stop himself from pursuing an unobtainable object of desire: his father's young and beautiful bride. Following the tragic consequences of his obsession, Genji wanders from one affair to another, always seeking some sort of completion to his life.

VIBE

This is a deeply melancholic and romantic slow-burn, steeped in the exquisite aesthetics of the Heian period. It evokes a profound sense of yearning and the bittersweet pursuit of elusive beauty and completion, all within a contemplative, character-driven classical anime style.

melancholicromanticelegiacyearningcontemplativebittersweetslow-burnclassical animeHeian period aestheticspoeticsumptuous visualscharacter-driven dramaunrequited desiresocietal expectationsthe pursuit of beautyexistential longingconsequence
japananimeheian period
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