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By Matthew Magnus Lundeen
Whether this is the height of nostalgia culture, the result of commendable efforts in media preservation, or just a big coincidence, there are a lot of cool films being remastered in 4K. Last month, it was reported that Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence would be back in theaters in 4K, and now Oshii's back again, this time supervising a remaster of his cult classic, Angel's Egg.
Angel's Egg, or Tenshi no Tamago, was an OVA released on December 22, 1985, created by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor) and legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy). Oshii directed the film while Amano created the character designs, but the two of them together crafted the story, which was animated by Studio Deen (Fate/Stay Night, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju).
Japanese publishing company Tokuma Shoten announced the production of the remaster on Wednesday. As of the time of writing, no word has been given on the progress of the project or when it is likely to be screened/distributed on home video. However, as the film is turning 40 next year, it will naturally be released sometime in 2025 to celebrate the anniversary.
As described in our piece on the film's meaning from last year, Angel's Egg is a surrealist art film depicting a barren, dreary, and utterly phantasmal world. The story follows a young girl, voiced by Mako Hyodo, who scavenges the wasteland while possessing a large egg - the titular angel's egg - and a boy, voiced by Jinpachi Nezu, who carries with him a large cross. Together, the two journey across their desolate world.
The film has long been lauded for its haunting atmosphere, absolutely mesmerizing visuals, and story told in very few words. In that regard, it is a powerhouse of visual storytelling, drenched in biblical allegory that can be as unnerving as it is beautiful. Though the film was an OVA, it did receive a limited release in Japanese theaters at the time. As for a Western release, that's a bit more complicated of a story.
Bafflingly, Angel's Egg was technically brought to the US in 1988, albeit with an entire chunk of live-action footage stitched into it and called by a different name - In the Aftermath: Angels Never Sleep. Needless to say, this version is discounted by fans of the original work, which itself has never been released in North America.
There was, however, a screening in September 2023 in New York City, attended by Amano and hosted by The Japan Society, who described the film thusly:
"Taking place in a seemingly quiescent time, two nameless strangers—a girl bearing a mystical egg and a man with a cruciate cane—journey across a primordial realm of decadent ruins, primitive fish and fossilized relics. An allegorical fantasy enriched by symbolism and biblical allusion, Oshii's beautifully melancholic OVA ruminates on the tragic underpinnings of existence in a world untouched by God."
Funnily enough, many of the ideas that went into the creation of Angel's Egg stem from a canceled Lupin the III film that Oshii was supposed to direct before it was canceled. Plot details have circulated online for years, including an engineer building the Tower of Babel in Tokyo, Lupin figuring out that he's a fictional character and a heist to steal reality itself.
Long story short, it was deemed too dark and too bizarre, resulting in TMS Entertainment rejecting the idea.
Why This is a Big Deal
At a time when it seems like old movies are being brought back to theaters more than ever, there has seldom been a better time to bring classic anime to the big screen as well. From the critical success of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron to the continued financial success of anime films outside of Japan, there is a hunger for exceptional animation among audiences.
Of all the remasters discussed in recent months, this is perhaps the one most deserving of a spotlight. Of course, yet again, there's no confirmation as yet when the remaster will be done, whether it will come to theaters, or even if it will be released outside of Japan. Regardless, in whatever capacity Angel's Egg returns, its restoration and preservation deserve to be celebrated as much as the art itself.
By Matthew Magnus Lundeen
Whether this is the height of nostalgia culture, the result of commendable efforts in media preservation, or just a big coincidence, there are a lot of cool films being remastered in 4K. Last month, it was reported that Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence would be back in theaters in 4K, and now Oshii's back again, this time supervising a remaster of his cult classic, Angel's Egg.
Angel's Egg, or Tenshi no Tamago, was an OVA released on December 22, 1985, created by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor) and legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy). Oshii directed the film while Amano created the character designs, but the two of them together crafted the story, which was animated by Studio Deen (Fate/Stay Night, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju).
What We Know About the Remaster
Japanese publishing company Tokuma Shoten announced the production of the remaster on Wednesday. As of the time of writing, no word has been given on the progress of the project or when it is likely to be screened/distributed on home video. However, as the film is turning 40 next year, it will naturally be released sometime in 2025 to celebrate the anniversary.
What is Angel's Egg?
As described in our piece on the film's meaning from last year, Angel's Egg is a surrealist art film depicting a barren, dreary, and utterly phantasmal world. The story follows a young girl, voiced by Mako Hyodo, who scavenges the wasteland while possessing a large egg - the titular angel's egg - and a boy, voiced by Jinpachi Nezu, who carries with him a large cross. Together, the two journey across their desolate world.
The film has long been lauded for its haunting atmosphere, absolutely mesmerizing visuals, and story told in very few words. In that regard, it is a powerhouse of visual storytelling, drenched in biblical allegory that can be as unnerving as it is beautiful. Though the film was an OVA, it did receive a limited release in Japanese theaters at the time. As for a Western release, that's a bit more complicated of a story.
Has Angel’s Egg Ever Been Screened in America?
Bafflingly, Angel's Egg was technically brought to the US in 1988, albeit with an entire chunk of live-action footage stitched into it and called by a different name - In the Aftermath: Angels Never Sleep. Needless to say, this version is discounted by fans of the original work, which itself has never been released in North America.
There was, however, a screening in September 2023 in New York City, attended by Amano and hosted by The Japan Society, who described the film thusly:
"Taking place in a seemingly quiescent time, two nameless strangers—a girl bearing a mystical egg and a man with a cruciate cane—journey across a primordial realm of decadent ruins, primitive fish and fossilized relics. An allegorical fantasy enriched by symbolism and biblical allusion, Oshii's beautifully melancholic OVA ruminates on the tragic underpinnings of existence in a world untouched by God."
Angel's Egg Was Supposed to be... A Lupin the III Movie?
Funnily enough, many of the ideas that went into the creation of Angel's Egg stem from a canceled Lupin the III film that Oshii was supposed to direct before it was canceled. Plot details have circulated online for years, including an engineer building the Tower of Babel in Tokyo, Lupin figuring out that he's a fictional character and a heist to steal reality itself.
Long story short, it was deemed too dark and too bizarre, resulting in TMS Entertainment rejecting the idea.
Why This is a Big Deal
At a time when it seems like old movies are being brought back to theaters more than ever, there has seldom been a better time to bring classic anime to the big screen as well. From the critical success of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron to the continued financial success of anime films outside of Japan, there is a hunger for exceptional animation among audiences.Of all the remasters discussed in recent months, this is perhaps the one most deserving of a spotlight. Of course, yet again, there's no confirmation as yet when the remaster will be done, whether it will come to theaters, or even if it will be released outside of Japan. Regardless, in whatever capacity Angel's Egg returns, its restoration and preservation deserve to be celebrated as much as the art itself.
