2077: for ten years, Japan has isolated itself from the rest of the world, opposing a United Nations treaty restricting areas of advanced research in biotechnology. At the behest of Japanese mega-corporation Daiwa, who monopolize the global market in industrial robotic technology, the country’s borders have been closed and a sophisticated magnetic shield has blocked communication and satellite surveillance. Life in Japan has become a mystery.

Following the discovery of a “human” limb with flesh replaced by a form of bio-metal, S.W.O.R.D., a United States Special Forces unit that polices treaty violations, is dispatched to infiltrate Japan. The unit, which is led by female commander Vexille, teams with an underground rebel force in Tokyo. The revelation of Japan’s new reality shakes Vexille, as she witnesses the destruction of both land and citizenry by Daiwa and the monstrous Jags, whirling, metallic android cyclones (reminiscent of Dune’s sandworms) that seek out and devour any form of metal in their path.

Vexille director Fumihiko Sori is a visual-effects specialist who made his directorial debut with the 2002 smash Ping Pong and who was producer and VFX director on the groundbreaking Appleseed. With Vexille, he reaches new levels of excellence in the world of animated art, placing expressive characters against a landscape of stunning vistas. These visuals serve as a springboard for breathtaking action sequences that race in tune to the staccato music of DJ Paul Oakenfold, the film’s soundtrack supervisor. A nest of spider-like battle droids blast away at hulking robotic opponents; all-terrain vehicles rip through the desert pursued by the voracious metallic worms; agents in gleaming battle armour crash and spin in high speed chases.

However, contained within this multi-sensory spectacle is a reflection on the role technology will play in our future, with the potential to both liberate and inhibit humankind. This film’s contemplations are heightened by Sori’s unusual, introspective decision to position Japan in the role of the story’s international villain.

Dive into the futuristic odyssey of Vexille, surface in Tokyo Bay and discover a country sealed off from the rest of humanity, where one mystery leads to another.

Colin Geddes

Wouldn't say "Anti-Japanese" at all. Nearly all Japanese S.F. stories take place "After the End", where a great disaster has destroyed most of modern culture, and usually, the entirety of Tokyo as well. It's a Japanese staple. Well, not limited to Japan, per se, but it is indeed quite prevalent there.

No, meant it's "anti japanese" by showing or admitting to the notion that Japan has consistently refused to listen to the UN about all manner of things, like Human Rights, etc AND its always "shutting itself" off from "dangerous foreign influences", so its also, if my guess is right, having a pop at the Japanese governments new resurgence of nationalism, historical editing/back-pedalling (like rewriting history books to make japan seem more victim and nicer than an aggressive invader) and keen determination to re-militarize Japan in the 21st century.

THAT's a bit new, eh?

I think it's rather cute and naive, personally. Not that it happens, but to believe only Japan does so. Each and every nation perceives history its own way. Germany, The Netherlands, France, the USA, South Afrika, India, all these nations have events in their respective histories that they rather ignore, or rewrite. Each culture is nationalistic, because that is inherent to what 'culture' is. Some are merely more overt in the way they act.

Anyhow, the way I see it, this is merely an anti-establishment POV: Those with power cannot be trusted to handle it. And, in this case, it may be Japan who is set out to be reponsible, but such stories are hardly limited to just Japan. Escape from L.A./New York, V for Vendetta, etc.

Well of course, however things like this are a bit of a rarity in Japan. Media rarely if ever portray the Japanese government or those in power in a bad light, espacially when its as topical as the issues in Japan now.

The Japanese government is trying to force teachers to use books that show the people of okinawa didnt kill themselves on the request of the japanese government at the time, much to the anger and sadness of many okinawans right now.

I could go on but Im sure that most of the negative stuff about japan is already covered in the "racism in japan" thread in this forum.

My Japanese chum just told me the film "looks great but has a crap plot".

Mind you he said the same about the Transformers movies too.

From a moral perspective, I would agree that any kind of disformation of the truth is a bad thing. From a personal perspective, I think it's good that there is such a social development, one that allows people to demand certain things from their government, instead of accepting things as is.

Im not with you. Japan is FAMOUS for its passive, sheep-like mentality, something which the government takes full advantage of. In fact they ALWAYS accept things without question, it seems. They even have a saying "shoganai" (it cannot be helped).

If I read your statement wrong, please let me know!