




This film is an extraordinary work that expertly combines historical, musical, and fantastical elements to create an immersive and unique cinematic experience, offering a fascinating view of an ancient historical period through a contemporary lens.

Their paths cross when Tomona, driven by a desire to avenge his father, sets out for the capital city of Kyoto, in which he meets an old biwa musician who will become his teacher. Meanwhile, Inu-oh, raised as an outcast and abandoned as a dog, has inherited a talent for dance from his father, who, however, disowns him. Out of this, the boy gives himself the name "Inu-oh," meaning "the king of dogs." When the two finally meet, they discover an extraordinary artistic chemistry that will enable them to perform together, even reaching high audiences.
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In fact, one of the most distinctive features of the film is the integration of music into the plot. The musical performances are not mere interruptions, but are an integral part of the story itself, communicating emotions and developing the characters. The music, composed by Yoshihide Otomo and performed by Avu-chan, adds a deep emotional dimension to the scenes, conveying an endless range of emotions. Moreover, this film was made in a special way: before thinking about the music, it was decided to work on the animation and storyboards. In most productions, the music is recorded without giving too much weight to the animation, focusing mostly on the general moment; in short, it is not specifically tailored to.
But, Yuasa found it difficult to convey and narrate through music by going through the classical creative process, so Yoshihide Otomo advised him to approach it differently and start with making the animated choreography. The result is indeed excellent: this method demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of synchronizing music and action in an extraordinarily effective way, creating an engaging visual and sound experience for anyone. The choice to work in this way led to an extraordinary collaboration, more unique than rare, between the director, composer, and animators, resulting in one of the most striking and unique components of the film.
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Through the stories of Inu-Oh and Tomona, the director reminds us that each of us has the potential to positively influence the lives of others, even if we are not necessarily destined to become historical or famous figures. Somewhat as Yuasa has already done in his other works, he passes along a life thought of his own: no matter what you become socially, no matter if you don't become the best in your field, and no matter if you are not the most important figure in history, what is really important in our lives is what we decide to leave behind for others ( because that will remain of us in the annals), in other words, how we are able to positively influence the lives of others.
We have the power to improve others and ourselves, and this can only happen through understanding others and communication.
The idea of "recognizing another person" emphasizes the necessity of going beyond external appearances and trying to understand the experiences, desires and challenges of the one we are interacting with, to empathize. Yuasa is telling us to live "with" the people around us, especially considering that we live in a society that de-values and outcasts the nameless. A timeless message that reminds us of the importance of building sincere human connections and valuing each individual we encounter on our journey.
The relationship between Inu-Oh and Tomona, which evolves over the course of the story, is touching and authentic, and demonstrates Yuasa's message.

His experimental art style and complex storytelling place him among the most important authors in modern animation. All of this again highlights how animation is not just entertainment, but a true expressive art form for exploring deep and universal themes and emotionally engaging audiences.
"Inu-Oh" is a triumph of creativity and experimentation. The animation is fluid, dynamic and rich in detail, transforming the musical and dance performances into true works of art in motion. What makes this film truly impressive is without a doubt this very special use of music: that it becomes a way to explore the emotions of the characters and to express their deepest desires.
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