I’ve been watching this old anime from the 90s called “you’re under arrest.” It’s not exactly smart, but the elaborate, indulgent animation suprises me constantly. It’s shockingly beautiful at times. It trandsends almost anything I’ve watched produced recently in terms of detail.
From what I understand, it’s money. Back in the bubble economy in Japan, you could throw cash at this kind of thing. Now, it’s just so much more cost effective to utilize 3d animation whenever possible.
People point at films like, “The boy and the heron” as some sort of model to follow, as if it’s a choice. But, by the producer’s admission it’s “probably the most expensive anime ever made.” 7 years of production by the oldest, most seasoned veterans in the space. How could even substantial studios take on such risk and expense?
I really wish we lived in a world where low tier stuff like “you’re under arrest” could afford such high quality animation.
However, there are always new tools being developed. I’m confident that new digital techniques will eventually compensate for high cost if nothing else.
Haha, okay it’s not that old, but wow does it feel dated in terms of theming. I mean, it’s about three things: cool cop babes, fast subcompact cars, and cool cop babes driving miniature motorcycles which fit inside of subcompact cars.