The Japanese sure have this obsession about destroying their own country. Look how many times they sent Godzilla in to destroy Tokyo. Now how about a few earthquakes which result in Japan literally sinking? There you have it. The premise for Japan Sinks: 2020.
Based on a novel by the same name, the story is of a Japanese-Filipino family called the Mutohs, and their friends, who try to survive as their country is destroyed by the forces of the planet. As the tragic events reveal themselves to the viewer, we are brought along from one exciting event to another. And don’t think all will survive. Some of what happens is predictable, but still it makes for an exciting series.
Japan Sinks: 2020 is directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who also directed the series Devilman: Crybaby and the movie Lu Over the Wall. Quite the variety there. The art seems a bit on the simplistic side, similar to Yuasa’s earlier works. Though it is a unique style.
Pyeon-Gang Ho is listed as a co-director. I could find no biographical data on her. The name does sound a bit Vietnamese, and the name of a Vietnamese studio does appear in the credits. So do other Vietnamese sounding names, as well as some which sound Korean. Anime goes international.
There are only ten episodes in the series, though supposedly a season two is in the works. Considering the story seems to have an ending in episode ten, I have no idea what they can do in a second season. Sink Japan all over again?
Forget a possible season two for now. Season one stands on its own, and it is worth watching. I recommend Japan Sinks: 2020.
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