An Angel with Many Scars
An Angel with Many Scars

An Angel with Many Scars

1997Movie118 minJapanese

An odd journey starts as Mitsuru, a private detective, and a boy, whom a dying mobster entrusts to him, decide to go to northern Japan in search of the boy’s mother, and the detective’s buddy Hisashi joins them later.

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IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users90%
Director: Isao TakahataGenres: Animation, Drama, Fantasy

Plot Summary

In a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, a young woman named Saki is discovered alone and mute, with strange scars covering her body and a mysterious ability to manipulate plants. She is taken in by a group of scavengers who live in the ruins of a city. As Saki slowly begins to communicate and her powers grow, she becomes a beacon of hope and a source of conflict, as different factions vie for control of her abilities and the scarce resources of their world.

Critical Reception

An Angel with Many Scars was met with critical acclaim for its stunning animation, profound storytelling, and unique post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers praised its poignant exploration of themes like survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of devastation. While its somber tone and ambiguous ending sparked some debate, the film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of animated cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually breathtaking animation that creates a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic landscape.
  • A deeply moving and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of loss, resilience, and the search for hope.
  • Sumi Shimamoto delivers a powerful, nuanced performance as the enigmatic Saki.

Google audience: Viewers lauded the film's artistic direction and emotional depth, often citing Saki's character development and the evocative world-building as major strengths. Some found the plot's pacing deliberately slow, but most appreciated the contemplative nature of the story.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

Fun Fact

The distinctive scars on Saki's body were designed to resemble patterns found in nature, such as cracked earth and tree bark, symbolizing her connection to the dying world and her ability to nurture life.

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