The Naoyuki Tsuji Animation Collection

While his countrymen have been cranking out endless anime titles, Japanese animator Naoyuki Tsuji has been busy fashioning a series of moody, often disturbing experimental shorts using charcoal, pastel drawings, and puppet animation. The Naoyuki Tsuji Animation Collection, which compiles six shorts made between 1992-2005, explores well-worn concepts (nature gone amok, our love/hate relationship with monsters, the inherent creepiness of puppet shows) while employing a hauntingly original and striking visual style (backed with abstract musical scores that beautifully mirror Tsuji's artwork). Like many fine Japanese stories, these films quietly unleash an emotional gut punch, and while not suitable for children, will surely appeal to adults with a taste for offbeat filmmaking. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)