Name: A good introduction of Tomoyasu Murata, as well as an interesting way to reinterpret an older animation
Item: tomorrow
Rating: 68
Author: POROW

Waifra

A good introduction of Tomoyasu Murata, as well as an interesting way to reinterpret an older animation · Waifora

Reminiscent of minna no uta, "tomorrow" is a short stop motion animation accompanied by music. However this is all directed and animated by Tomoyasu Murata, and if you're familiar with some of his other works, you'll immediately recognize the melancholic yet uplifting atmosphere and tone in this, a contrast that exists within a great number of Iyashikei that I think adds way more depth, and makes the uplifting moments that more powerful and gripping.

img75%(https://i.imgur.com/9UrGgkN.png)

"tomorrow" features a track with English lyrics that starts slow and sad that slowly progresses towards a happier and happier note, as we watch a little girl write, colour and decorate invite cards for an upcoming party. The music track ends up becoming incredibly triumphant, cheerful and uplifting, even though there’s a slight pause as we see a moment of gloom when night falls and nobody shows up for her party. However as the song reaches its climax with cheerful triumph and orchestra, we see 2D-animated characters start showing up one after another and then start raining down whimsically as the entire town starts to light up and everybody in a very cute way starts dancing to the music. This blend of animations made me feel as if the little girl found happiness with her imagination and herself. This also perfectly encapsulates that previously mentioned “melancholic yet uplifting”-atmosphere that I typically love from Murata, it's very short. But also a clear example of the contrast and how much that simple contrast can add so much.

img75%(https://i.imgur.com/QtrA0r9.png)

In 2021, Murata re-released the animation on his youtube, however this time with a completely different song and name that's now more widely known and spread. "When you wish upon a star" initially released during covid has no lyrics and is even more reminiscent of other tracks you'd find in Muratas works nowadays, it's simpler and instead of finding a triumphant orchestra, there's a lone and slow xylophone playing a melancholic track. With the climax instead getting happier notes and getting accompanied by a piano striking through the xylophone with a hopeful tone, helping to juxtapose the melancholy but also keeping up a certain lonely-twang. This reintegrates the music into also becoming an instrument to contrast the sadness and joy/hope. Making the entire animation piece feel even more complete. The lack of lyrics and general tone of “loneliness” in this version really captures how a lot of us, or at least I felt at the time this was re-released, with the blending of 2D and puppet animations this time instead adding to how we communicated differently with each other this time and longed for each other's presence. Wishful for the day things turn back to normal and we can see one another, face to face.

img75%(https://i.imgur.com/6yNbej6.png)

This is a really interesting way to reinterpret an old work, while maintaining the original style and tone of the movie, while also showing how he has grown as an artist. I'd strongly recommend watching both versions if you're interested in watching something with that “sad with an uplifting”-tone, just want something short to be introduced into Muratas style, or if you’re just interested to see something more with his style in general if you're already familiar with it.