Mind Game

After a long-time separation, Nishi again meets Myon, his high school girlfriend. The encounter turns out not to be the revival of their love story but the beginning of a series of misfortunes. As Nishi becomes aware of the fact that Myon is going to get married, he gets sad, but accom- panies her home. In her family’s restaurant, some Yakuza intrude and accidently shoot the young man down. But then, Nishi’s revenge starts. He comes back to life as a resisting god to save Myon, whose life is also threatened. After a racy car chase with the Yakuza, Nishi and Myon are swallowed by a giant whale…
Based on the homonymous cult comic by Robin Nishi, Masaaki Yuasa’s first animated feature is still unique ten years after its release. “Mind Game” is pure entertainment, full of humour, irony and playful visual experiments. But even more striking is that at some point, the protagonists start to change their attitude and the story becomes a celebration of life. Nishi and his company enjoy staying in the belly of the whale because here, they don’t need to worry about what happens outside. Finally, they have to decide whether to die inside or to leave and face the severe reality again. First, dying seems more comfortable, but the two heroes don’t give up. “Mind Game” tries to cele- brate life under any circumstances. This is why the film gives us a power to survive. (nd)