I make no bones about it, I love Yoshiaki Kawajiri's work. He is the animator behind the second anime I saw after AKIRA. Now, it is hard to top AKIRA. Otomo hasn't done many films, and most are actually short films within other films. But, thankfully Kawajiri keeps 'em coming. After having my mind blown by AKIRA, I needed more. This was back in the day when you got your anime in Japanese with no subtitles. You didn't know what was going on, but the animation was so cool, you just didn't care. My second anime after AKIRA was another masterpiece-Wicked City. Also known as Beast City or Demon City-Yoju Toshi. This film is wild, bizarre and not for the squeamish. It ranks right up there with Kawajiri's best work, and from my first viewing, I was hooked. I now have all of Kawajiri's work, including his short subjects. Ninja Scroll is very popular in the states, but much of his other work remains unseen. In fact, some of his work hasn't made it onto DVD in the US at all.
Some might complain about the plot, or the characters... but is films have style to burn. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, The Animatrix, and Ninja Scroll are widely available. Check out Wicked City if you like your aime with bizarre sex and violence. It is R rated at least, and very memorable for its use of sexual imagery. Too bad the sequel Beast City-Shinjuku was a PG-ish sequel that couldn't offend anyone.
Kawari has nearly finished work on a Highlander anime. Yes, that Highlander. The (in my opinion) lame fantasy crap series that nerds dig. They already are complaining about the anime being all wrong. Screw 'em. It is Kawajiri and he rules. Check out the trailer and see for yourself. It's way cooler than the lame-o movies.
http://www.imagi.com.hk/movie/web/highc.htm
There has been kind of a trend lately for anime sequels/prequels to live action films. Van Helsing, Chronicles of Riddick, and The Matrix all have had animated projects. The last two are worth seeing and feature animation by Peter (Aeon Flux) Chung.
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