Matt Schley
@mattschley.com
My chat with the director of Mars Express, which is (finally) coming out in Japan later this month.
French animated film “Mars Express” draws inspiration from Japanese classics such as “Ghost in the Shell” and “Akira” for a sharp, cyberpunk ride that feels familiar yet entirely its own.
‘Mars Express’ shows anime’s influence has no borders
Inspired by Japanese classics such as “Ghost in the Shell” and “Akira,” Jeremie Perin’s French animated film blends noir, humor and sci-fi into a thrilling cyberpunk ride.
ebx.sh
January 16, 2026 at 5:17 AM
My chat with the director of Mars Express, which is (finally) coming out in Japan later this month.
Reposted by Matt Schley
Oshii Mamoru to direct an animated version of Armored Trooper VOTOMS for I.G Production and Sunrise in 2026:
youtu.be/hPgSVYu4C6c?...
youtu.be/hPgSVYu4C6c?...
『装甲騎兵ボトムズ 灰色の魔女』初弾映像
YouTube video by バンダイナムコフィルムワークス チャンネル
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Oshii Mamoru to direct an animated version of Armored Trooper VOTOMS for I.G Production and Sunrise in 2026:
youtu.be/hPgSVYu4C6c?...
youtu.be/hPgSVYu4C6c?...
Looking forward to visiting THE BONE TEMPLE.
January 15, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Looking forward to visiting THE BONE TEMPLE.
Press screening for the second Gundam Hathaway film today. Hyped.
When the first one came out five years ago (!) I was working for Netflix. I did some promo work for the film, including writing and narrating this primer.
My apartment was near the train tracks so I had to record it in a closet.
When the first one came out five years ago (!) I was working for Netflix. I did some promo work for the film, including writing and narrating this primer.
My apartment was near the train tracks so I had to record it in a closet.
What to Know Before Watching Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway | Primer | Netflix Anime
YouTube video by Netflix Anime
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Press screening for the second Gundam Hathaway film today. Hyped.
When the first one came out five years ago (!) I was working for Netflix. I did some promo work for the film, including writing and narrating this primer.
My apartment was near the train tracks so I had to record it in a closet.
When the first one came out five years ago (!) I was working for Netflix. I did some promo work for the film, including writing and narrating this primer.
My apartment was near the train tracks so I had to record it in a closet.
Caught the two Sherlock Hound short films at Meguro Cinema.
Cool to see what Miyazaki was doing between Cagliostro and Nausicaa. Full of great sight gags and amazing animation.
Coincidentally, Animation Obsessive has a great write-up on the series out today.
Cool to see what Miyazaki was doing between Cagliostro and Nausicaa. Full of great sight gags and amazing animation.
Coincidentally, Animation Obsessive has a great write-up on the series out today.
Miyazaki's Sherlock
On 'Sherlock Hound,' plus news.
animationobsessive.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Caught the two Sherlock Hound short films at Meguro Cinema.
Cool to see what Miyazaki was doing between Cagliostro and Nausicaa. Full of great sight gags and amazing animation.
Coincidentally, Animation Obsessive has a great write-up on the series out today.
Cool to see what Miyazaki was doing between Cagliostro and Nausicaa. Full of great sight gags and amazing animation.
Coincidentally, Animation Obsessive has a great write-up on the series out today.
I thought Star Trek: TMP had a lot of split diopter, but then I watched The Andromeda Strain. Jeeeez.
Both directed by Robert Wise and (split) lensed by Richard H. Kline.
Both directed by Robert Wise and (split) lensed by Richard H. Kline.
THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN - 71 Split Diopter Shots
FULL ARTICLE: http://vashivisuals.com/the-split-diopter-shots-in-the-andromeda-strain/ SPLIT DIOPTER shots are most often attributed to Brian De Palma but director…
vimeo.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I thought Star Trek: TMP had a lot of split diopter, but then I watched The Andromeda Strain. Jeeeez.
Both directed by Robert Wise and (split) lensed by Richard H. Kline.
Both directed by Robert Wise and (split) lensed by Richard H. Kline.
Mothy thoughts.
"The Luminous Fairies and Mothra," translated to English for the first time, shows how the movie monster was a vehicle for contemplating the concerns of the age.
‘The Luminous Fairies and Mothra’: This monster is not like the others
The Luminous Fairies and Mothra,' translated to English for the first time, provides deeper insight into the political context in Japan in the 1950s.
ebx.sh
January 11, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Mothy thoughts.
Caught Stealing: Weird to see Aronofsky doing something this inconsequential, but I guess he has no obligation to Go Big every time. And it’s kinda fun. Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz are two very good looking people. Is it a coincidence it’s set in 1998 New York, like Pi?
January 10, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Caught Stealing: Weird to see Aronofsky doing something this inconsequential, but I guess he has no obligation to Go Big every time. And it’s kinda fun. Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz are two very good looking people. Is it a coincidence it’s set in 1998 New York, like Pi?
Every cup of coffee is a little miracle.
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Every cup of coffee is a little miracle.
Rappin' with Shoji Kawamori about his new film, which came out on January 1. Managed to sneak some Escaflowne and Macross in there, too.
'Macross' creator Shoji Kawamori breaks free with new film 'Labyrinth'
After 40 years of anime franchises, Shoji Kawamori’s first fully original film takes on the smartphone age.
www.japantimes.co.jp
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Rappin' with Shoji Kawamori about his new film, which came out on January 1. Managed to sneak some Escaflowne and Macross in there, too.
Mipo O’s How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども) shook me, and not just because of the queasy cinematography. It reminded me how embarrassing and painful it can feel to be a kid.
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Mipo O’s How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども) shook me, and not just because of the queasy cinematography. It reminded me how embarrassing and painful it can feel to be a kid.
Studio 4℃'s All You Need Is Kill is out tomorrow in Japan. It's not nearly as fun or inventive as the Cruise/Blunt version, sadly.
January 7, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Studio 4℃'s All You Need Is Kill is out tomorrow in Japan. It's not nearly as fun or inventive as the Cruise/Blunt version, sadly.
Japan sure loves Zootopia 2. I guess Demon Slayer is too much for the really young ones. Meanwhile, Kokuho is still in the top 10 (#4, no less) after 31 weeks in release.
January 6, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Japan sure loves Zootopia 2. I guess Demon Slayer is too much for the really young ones. Meanwhile, Kokuho is still in the top 10 (#4, no less) after 31 weeks in release.
Some cool films I saw for the first time in 2025:
Yi Yi
Hoosiers
Crimson Tide
You’re Under Arrest: The Movie
Trenque Lauquen
Desperado Outpost
California Split
Shanghai Blues
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Yi Yi
Hoosiers
Crimson Tide
You’re Under Arrest: The Movie
Trenque Lauquen
Desperado Outpost
California Split
Shanghai Blues
Night on the Galactic Railroad
discoveries of 2025:
My Father, burned (Doi)
The North Calotte (Nestler)
Youshi Kei (Tanaami)
The Laughing Woman (Schivazappa)
Sachiko no sachi (Takeda)
The Heart & the Money (Feuillade)
Shichinin no keiji shūchakueki no onna (Wakasugi)
Harlan County U.S.A. (Kopple)
Vertigo Sea (Akomfrah)
My Father, burned (Doi)
The North Calotte (Nestler)
Youshi Kei (Tanaami)
The Laughing Woman (Schivazappa)
Sachiko no sachi (Takeda)
The Heart & the Money (Feuillade)
Shichinin no keiji shūchakueki no onna (Wakasugi)
Harlan County U.S.A. (Kopple)
Vertigo Sea (Akomfrah)
my favourite films of 2025 (in no order):
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
January 2, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Some cool films I saw for the first time in 2025:
Yi Yi
Hoosiers
Crimson Tide
You’re Under Arrest: The Movie
Trenque Lauquen
Desperado Outpost
California Split
Shanghai Blues
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Yi Yi
Hoosiers
Crimson Tide
You’re Under Arrest: The Movie
Trenque Lauquen
Desperado Outpost
California Split
Shanghai Blues
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Reposted by Matt Schley
This week on Manga Tak, I talk to illustrator and designer @getxxlost.bsky.social about the excellent Short Game by Mitsuru Adachi! Published in English by @denpabooks.bsky.social
Listen here or wherever pods are cast! mangatakpod.buzzsprout.com/2373443/epis...
Listen here or wherever pods are cast! mangatakpod.buzzsprout.com/2373443/epis...
December 29, 2025 at 10:24 PM
This week on Manga Tak, I talk to illustrator and designer @getxxlost.bsky.social about the excellent Short Game by Mitsuru Adachi! Published in English by @denpabooks.bsky.social
Listen here or wherever pods are cast! mangatakpod.buzzsprout.com/2373443/epis...
Listen here or wherever pods are cast! mangatakpod.buzzsprout.com/2373443/epis...
Reposted by Matt Schley
my favourite films of 2025 (in no order):
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
my favourite animated films of 2025 (in no order):
Death Does Not Exists (Dufour-Laperrière)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
100 Meters (Iwaisawa)
Dandelion’s Odyssey (Seto)
Zashikiro (Harada)
Chainsaw Man Reze Arc (Yoshihara)
The Last Blossom (Kinoshita)
Cocoon (Ina)
Predator: Killer of Killers (Trachtenberg)
Death Does Not Exists (Dufour-Laperrière)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
100 Meters (Iwaisawa)
Dandelion’s Odyssey (Seto)
Zashikiro (Harada)
Chainsaw Man Reze Arc (Yoshihara)
The Last Blossom (Kinoshita)
Cocoon (Ina)
Predator: Killer of Killers (Trachtenberg)
December 29, 2025 at 1:09 AM
my favourite films of 2025 (in no order):
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
A Stone's Throw (AlSalah)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Miyake)
Dry Leaf (Koberidze)
Guardians of the Harvest (Hiro)
Death Does Not Exists (D. Laperrière)
With Hasan in Gaza (Aljafari)
Asura (Kore'eda)
Hostile Landscapes (Zhang)
Jinsei (Suzuki)
Escape (Adachi)
Reposted by Matt Schley
Favourite Japanese films of 2025, unranked
A Unique Country in Asia (アジアのユニークな国)
1st Kiss (ファースト・キッス)
Escape (逃走)
How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども)
Jinsei (無名の人生)
Renoir (ルノワール)
Teki Cometh (敵)
Tokyo Taxi (TOKYO タクシー)
Transcending Dimensions (次元を越える)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (旅と日々)
A Unique Country in Asia (アジアのユニークな国)
1st Kiss (ファースト・キッス)
Escape (逃走)
How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども)
Jinsei (無名の人生)
Renoir (ルノワール)
Teki Cometh (敵)
Tokyo Taxi (TOKYO タクシー)
Transcending Dimensions (次元を越える)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (旅と日々)
December 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Favourite Japanese films of 2025, unranked
A Unique Country in Asia (アジアのユニークな国)
1st Kiss (ファースト・キッス)
Escape (逃走)
How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども)
Jinsei (無名の人生)
Renoir (ルノワール)
Teki Cometh (敵)
Tokyo Taxi (TOKYO タクシー)
Transcending Dimensions (次元を越える)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (旅と日々)
A Unique Country in Asia (アジアのユニークな国)
1st Kiss (ファースト・キッス)
Escape (逃走)
How Dare You? (ふつうの子ども)
Jinsei (無名の人生)
Renoir (ルノワール)
Teki Cometh (敵)
Tokyo Taxi (TOKYO タクシー)
Transcending Dimensions (次元を越える)
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (旅と日々)
Reposted by Matt Schley
Once, drawings for anime ended up in garbage bins, now they are the focus of exhibitions in Japan’s biggest museums and galleries.
From trash to treasure: How anime became a museum staple
Anime- and manga-related art exhibitions are now one of the pillars propping up the industry.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Once, drawings for anime ended up in garbage bins, now they are the focus of exhibitions in Japan’s biggest museums and galleries.
Reposted by Matt Schley
While overseeing her family’s vast private library, a high school student is forced into action when a book thief unleashes a curse on her town in “Whoever Steals This Book.” 👉 ebx.sh/wzhOQO
December 27, 2025 at 2:26 AM
While overseeing her family’s vast private library, a high school student is forced into action when a book thief unleashes a curse on her town in “Whoever Steals This Book.” 👉 ebx.sh/wzhOQO
My look back at the year in anime.
This year, anime’s global boom brought record profits and more Hollywood interest but also renewed anxiety over AI and creative labor.
In 2025, anime tightened its grip abroad — and played it safe at home
As anime conquered overseas markets, the industry doubled down on known IP and left innovation on shakier ground.
ebx.sh
December 26, 2025 at 3:24 AM
My look back at the year in anime.
Wrapping up the work year by running from script meeting to script meeting. One Bangumi After Another.
December 25, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Wrapping up the work year by running from script meeting to script meeting. One Bangumi After Another.
Batman roasting on an open fire
Robin nipping at your nose…
Robin nipping at your nose…
Silver bells
Batman smells
It’s Christmas time in the city…
Batman smells
It’s Christmas time in the city…
December 24, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Batman roasting on an open fire
Robin nipping at your nose…
Robin nipping at your nose…
Gotta be careful what I listen to in public. Just started crying in a full-ass cafeteria.
Ashitaka and San (from 'Princess Mononoke')
YouTube video by Joe Hisaishi - Topic
music.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Gotta be careful what I listen to in public. Just started crying in a full-ass cafeteria.
Hope I can find some time to ESWC today.
ESWCing again this week.
Engaging Seriously With Cinema (ESWC).
December 21, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Hope I can find some time to ESWC today.