Doomed Megalopolis (TV Mini-Series 1991)

Name: Teito Monogatari
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Horror
Released: 1991-09-27
Rating: 6.3
Cast: Yôko Asagami, Milton James, Peter Marinker, Clifton Wells

TV Mini-Series | Not Rated | 47 min | Animation, Fantasy, Horror

Episode Guide

The plot concerns a spiritual battle being waged within the capital of Tokyo during the turn of the 20th century. In 1908, Japan is undergoing an enormous process of industrial renovation ... See full synopsis »

6.3/10
238

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Cast & Crew

Top Series Cast

Yôko Asagami

Keiko

(4 episodes, 1991)
Milton James

Narrator (US 1993)

(4 episodes, 1991)
Peter Marinker

Kato (UK 1993)

(4 episodes, 1991)
Clifton Wells

Makoto Nishimura (US 1993)

(4 episodes, 1991)

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User Reviews

19 September 2007 | seawolven

| Confusing but with interesting imagery

Doomed Megalopolis is considered one of the classic anime (like Akira or Wicked City) that got fairly wide distribution in North America and introduced many people to anime.

Unfortunately, while it contains plenty of interesting (and some disturbing) imagery, the story is frequently confusing and you can easily get lost. Apparently it is based on an original 10 volume novel by Aramata that would be hard to follow for anyone not well versed in Japanese history and religion. The director even mentions in an interview that the viewer should read the novel to understand many of the parts that are not well explained in this 4 episode series.

It was my wife's first viewing of some of the more disturbing type of creatures (a slug with a male organ for a head for example) that appear in some anime, but I think she could have done without.

Not particularly recommended.

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the characters in the story are based on real famous figures who lived during the same time period. For example, the fisherman who finds Yukari on the riverbank is Koda Rohan (1867--1947), a classic writer from the Meiji Era. The young man who proposes transforming Tokyo into an underground city is Torahiko Terada (1878--1935), a physicist and professor of earthquake studies (in fact the underground city concept is based on a real proposal he made). The fortune teller is Izumi Kyoka (1873--1939), another classic writer from the Meiji Era renowned for his supernatural fiction. His speech about how there are "two great powers of the world: the power of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) against the power of the demons" is based on his writings.

Quotes

Keiko (US 1993): Bird in the Cherry Tree/ Hidden from View by the Blossom so White/ Cat tries to surprise it/ wise little bird sings a fresh new song/ who's that standing behind me?