Millennium Actress and Rotation (LOTUS-2)

Millennium Actress

Today I would like to introduce you "Millennium Actress" which Japanese great anime creator Satoshi Kon, who died of cancer on this August, released in 2001. And its ending theme "Rotation (LOTUS-2)" by Japanese techno pop musician Susumu Hirasawa.

"Millennium Actress"'s description from amazon.com is: After nearly 30 years of living in strict seclusion, the aged film star Chioyoko Fujiwara grants an interview to journalist Genya Tachibana. As their conversation begins, Kan intercuts scenes from Chioyoko's films with her memories of pursuing the mysterious artist she met as a young girl. Accompanied by his blasé cameraman, Tashibana finds himself within Chioyoko's memories and films, alternately observing and aiding the woman he adores. Kon's skillful direction and subtle use of color strengthen the intriguing story: Chioyoko's memories are rendered in shades of gray, with hints of muted color highlighting the overall composition. American viewers will find their appreciation of this shimmering, spiral narrative deepens with repeated viewings.

First of all, I let you see the English trailer of this anime.

Run! Chiyoko!

The keyword of this anime is "chase". we can see repeatedly scenes that Chiyoko is chasing someone or something. It is her first and eternal love. In the end, she admits she loves the chase more. This part is the best and where I can't see without tears.

This anime's original sound tracks are composed by Susumu Hirasawa. According his official website, in 1979, Hirasawa organised a techno pop group P-MODEL. In the techno pop boom at that time, P-MODEL stole the show with their far-out and pop sound. Since then, they have been energetically acting while renewing the group member many times. In 1989, Hirasawa started solo activities besides P-MODEL. He has created originative stateless sounds those are very poetic and vocalic. The sounds give us images as if we are in a world where the PAST(myth/ethnic world) and FUTURE(SF/computer world) meet the PRESENT. That is called HIRASAWA WORLD.

Satoshi Kon was a devoted fan of Susumu Hirasawa; thus Kon offered Susumu as music supervisor of "Millennium Actress". The most emotional tune is "Rotation (LOTUS-2)" as the ending-roll music. It is here.

Susumu Hirasawa

The next co-work as Satoshi Kon and Susumu Hirasawa is a TV anime series, "Paranoia Agent", The third and last one is "Paplika" as I wrote about earlier.

Kon died of cancer developed in the pancreas. He was 46 years old and made just 4 anime movie - "Perfect Blue" "Millennium Actress" "Tokyo Godfathers" and "Paplika" - but all of them are unforgettably impressive. Many anime and movie fans regretted his early death. Hirasawa's music, mainly "Rotation (LOTUS-2)" was used as a death march on Kon's funeral.

May his spirit rest in eternal peace.