This movie consists of three parts.

As a boy
The main character's name is Kuramochi Machisu. He was born as a son of a rich entrepreneur in Gunma, who is also known as a patron of a famous painter. And his father aims him to become a famous painter. 'Machisu' must be named after Henri Matisse.

One day, his father's company went bankrupt, and his father killed himself with his lover geisha. Machisu's genuine mother has already been dead, so he was taken to his father's brother's house by his step mother. And his step mother also kills herself soon.

Here is first criticism against modern art.

His father was a patron, but he didn't understand what the art is all about. He just buys some pictures as a picture dealer recommends. And the dealer does understand the painting is not valuable. When the father died, he sells the fathers' collection to yakuza's family. And the dealer also seized a picture which the child Machisu drew and says, 'this kind of strange picture can earn money', and sells it to another rich man,saying 'it's a work from a genius who died young.'

Modern art can't be understood by everyone, hence, it is easily controlled by commercialism.


As a young artist wanna be
Machisu was kicked out from his step father and moved to an orphanage. And when Machisu reappears in this movie again, he had already become a young artist wannabe who works at a factory daytime and draws a picture at night.

He brings his works to a picture dealer, who is a son of the dealer Machisu's father patronized. But the dealer criticizes his picture because it is just a landscape picture which even a house painter can draw. Then he orders Machisu to study modern art, cubism, Fauvisme, contemporary art.

He began to go to an art school, and moves to another printing factory. He meets his wife there. He starts to more radical approach with his friends he met at the art school. But while his team is challenging to action painting using a car, one of members dies accidentally. After the funeral, another friend kills himself after he was criticized by other amateur people who don't understand his art.

Machisu still continued art, and he trieed to sell his work to the dealer. But all of the his works are mimicry of famous artist like Klee, Picasso, and Kandinski, hence the dealer didn't purchase them.

Here is the irony of modern art again. To sell the works, artists have to be trained at an art school and think about the trend of modern art. And they can never keep their original style.

As an old artist
Machisu married to a woman and had a daughter. When he reappears in this film again, he has already become Beat Takeshi himself, and his daughter had already become a high school student gal.

He didn't give up his dream. While his wife and daughter are working to make their living, he just paints a picture. And his wife helps out his art work. But he still couldn't satisfy the dealer's requirement. And his form of his art goes extreme.

He made her wife fight against a kick boxer (performed by K1 fighter Andy Ologun himself ) with the glove soaked in colors. She was knocked down by him easily, needless to say, and then, he made the suits she wore the art work.

He also sacrifices himself, he made his wife to drown him in a bath. He tried to paint the thing he saw on the edge of his life. He lost his consciousness, and the wife was arrested by the police. Then, his wife finally left from him.

This sequel of his challenges is very humorous and most enjoyable part of this a little serious movie. But these challenges must be the criticism against modern art again. Under the name of the art, some artists are just doing stupid things like him. And sometimes it goes beyond human being's moral. I don't write details, but he also sacrifice the life of his daughter, too.

Conclusion
Of course, these criticisms Takeshi infers in this film don't mean he doesn't understand and love modern art works made in the 20th century.

Indeed, the parodies of Lichtenstein and Warhol made of Japanese manga (Cyborg 009) and ancient comedian (*Yokoyama Knock, ex-governor of Osaka, I think) are startling. I think these parodies couldn't be created by the person who doesn't understand the themed artists correctly. I can say, he does love modern art.

In addition, conclusively, all of the art works appear in this film are made by Takeshi himself.

Takeshi just depicted a portrait of an artist, who is just mimicking the the outer layer of the context of modern art just to become a famous artist, without understanding its meaning deeply. And thanks to the structure of modern art industry Takeshi talks cynically, this kind of superficial artists can be seen everywhere in the world.

Ironically, the only his works which was purchased were the landscape picture he painted first and the ones he drew when he was a child. Machisu in this fim could become a good artist, but this fact may infer modern art context spoiled his original talent.

What is 'Achilless and the Tortoise'?
Then, we have to recall the title of this film, 'Achilless and the tortoise.'

Needless to say, this film was titled after Zeno's paradox. Achilless runs after the tortoise, but when he arrived at the point where the tortoise was, the tortoise walks a little more. Hence, Achilless can't catch the tortoise forever.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno's_paradoxes

This paradox is the theme of this film, and Takeshi explains about it in the beginning of this film using Japanese special product, animation.

The tortoise must be the artist in this film, Machisu himself. Just like a tortoise, he walks slowly, imbecility, to become a painter. Then, what is Achilles for him? There will be a lot of interpretation, but I think it's reality.

It doesn't mean people began to recognize Machisu, just like the people found Gogh after his death in the film.

In the end of the film, he loses everything, and he sells a rusty can for 200,000 yens, just like Marcel Duchamp's 'Ready-Made' at a flea market. Nobody bought it, but one person buys it. It was his ex-wife. And Machisu and his wife go back to their home again. The subtitle says, 'Finally, Achilless caught the tortoise.' (I'm not sure about its official English sub.) And the movie ends.

The point of this scene is, he throws the can away. It was the only one art work left for him after he burnt his all pictures to commit suicide. However, by giving the art work away, he was finally freed from the dream to become an artist. The tortoise slenders to Achilless, and the reality caught him.

Psychoanalysis
To supplement this theory, I can say that Machis's character is based on a classic psychoanalysis, and his dream was a bit paranoic.

It was his father's dream to make Machisu a painter. And Machisu follows his words and began to paint a picture. And subtitle inserted in this film also explains; "Machisu had a dream to become a painter. No, he was ordered to do it." (彼は画家になる夢をもった。いや持たされた。）

His father and his step mother committed suicide severally, and Machisu adhere to painting and his dream. He didn't stop painting, because it was the only thing he learned and was ordered from his parents. It's like a classic patient of Oedipus complex. 'To paint a picture, or cut your penis. '

And their parents' death cast a shadow on his life as well as the dream. His art works are influenced by parents' death. Epecially, the mother's face in death, the half of it was covered with blood became his trauma, and blood color, red haunts his art until the end.

In a sense, his dream to become a painter was a pathological motivation from the beginning which prevents him from spending a happy life as a common people. He was freed from this obsession in the ending.

Supplement
Anyway, it was a good movie which made me write such a long report after a long time. I don't say this is the best work of Kitano Takeshi, but I could enjoy this movie. For the people who are interested in modern art like Machisu or Takeshi himself, this movie is very entertaining.

Even without the tortuous arguments I mentioned above, the humorous challenges Machisu and his wife do may make you laugh, and you can enjoy this story as the simple love story of a crazy artist and his wife as the movie company advertise.

Meanwhile, of course, there are some imperfect points in this film. For example, honestly speaking, the artworks from Takeshi himself are not good ones, and sometimes they spoil the scenes. *Especially, it was too odd that Takeshi's art was displayed as the work from a famous impressionist. And the first part of the story about boy Machisu is a bit redundant.

But some scenes are really beautiful just like Takeshi's works in the past. Especially, the scene the young artists challenge to action painting by throwing color balls is one of the best scenes created by Takeshi's sophisticated sense of coloring called 'Kitano Blue.' I can say it was as good as sumo on the beach in 'Sonatine.'

It was not a good move to go and enjoy with a baka girl friend, but it was a good philosophical work which make me think about this film even after it ended.

It's great that there is still such a great living film maker like Takeshi in Japan even after Kurosawa or Imamura passed away. Unfortunately, this work s was defeated by 'The Wrestler' from Darren Aronofsky in Venice, and this film won't success commercially( I saw only 10 audience at a big theater in Sunday afternoon!!) But I wish Takeshi will take a new movie and surprises the world again.

Rating:8.5 kote
Better than Kantoku Banzai(Glory to the Filmmaker!)(7.5 kote)
As good as Kid's Return (8.5 kote)
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As I expected, this album was great. I said Dohzi-T's rapping is sometimes irritating, but when it is combined with female vocalists' voice, he can make her voice stand out. Stupid Japanese media may nickname him 'Japanese Jay-Z' or something.

And vocalists who gathered for this albums are also great. Aoyama Thelma, BENI, Kato Miliyah, JUJU, and YU-A from Foxxi misQ.

Especially, I was impressed by the growth of Beni(formerly known as Arashiro) and Yu-A, both of whom were just idols for me. Recently, BENI left avex, and started her own agency. I'd been neglecting her because her song is too 'avexy' one, but if she starts this kind of project, I have to chase after her music.

And I have to pay attention to Caless graduate Shimizu Shota, too. It's been a while sinced I recognized his major debut, but thanks to this album, I could find his talent again. I have to wait his first album in the future.

So, this album is a good album to explore Japanese R&B pop music scene recently.

Not only young artists, surprisingly, Dohzi-T collaborates with Japanese legendary pop singer, Go Hiromi. This song, 'Kimi Dake wo' was released as Go's 89th single. It's amazing such an old (53 years old) singer who has been a star from early 80s can still sing a song like this.

I should comment on his lyrics, too.

As the title infers, the main theme of the lyrics in the album is 'love'. As always, Dohzi-T depicts a very realistic love story of Japanese people which touches our heart.

'買い物はいつも長くて　照れくさくて待った店の外で
買ってやった安物の服もって　すげえはしゃいで掴んだ俺の腕' (mou ichido)
(Her shopping was always long, I felt embarrassing waited her outside the shop
with a cheep clothes I bought for her in her hand, she hold my arm excitedly )

These lyrics bring me back to the days when I could still believe love and be interested in it.

And Dohzi-T also write another form of 'love story' in this album. The song #9 'Minori aru zinsei wo' and #10 'Hikaru Mirai' are songs of the happiness of father who had the first baby. I'm not sure whether he has a child for real, but they are the lyrics which young artists can never write and only the O30 veteran rapper like him can write.

Total Rating: 8.0 kote

--
After listening two albums 'Koi no Katachi' and '12 Love story', now I regret myself who bought these albums together. Dohzi-T's collaboration with female musciains are so grate that it make me realize the poorness of Anna.

Now I just wish, this very talented musical producer will rescue the genius girl, who are being spoiled by anime music producers in the future, and she will join to his project someday.
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As it is released from Geneon, the record company which mainly deals in anime product, some songs in this album were used as themes of anime, To-Love-Ru, and most of the songs are written and arranged by musicians working mainly in anime industry.

I don't say musicians working for anime are always bad. There are some musicians who can do better than average avex musicians and can create very unique and characteristic music. Kanno Yoko is the one, and I'd like to name Kousaki Satoru, who penned some masterpieces for Idol M@ster series. (Go My Way, Sora, Kirame Kirari... etc.)

But it looks people who involved in this album were not that type. Most of the songs are boring, banal, uncharacteristic songs which are spoiling Anna's talent. It seems they didn't understand how Anna can sing greatly thinking that she is just a vocal of an idol group. The pitches of the songs are too low for she, and it just spoils her voice's charm. I felt like listening the album of voice actress or someone. I won't be surprised if this project was originally planned for Hirano someone or Sakakibara someone.

There is one non-anime-related song. #10, 'Ima sugu Kiss Me' is a cover of a hit in 1990 from Lindberg. When you listen to this album throughly, you will be surprised at the difference of the quality of back band and track from other songs in the album. The original members of Lindberg attended to this project and arranged the song.

This collaboration was promoted greatly and many news sites covered, but honestly speaking, I thought this new version is not so startling.

According to Anna , she intentionally changed her style for this project.

Usually, in Bon-Bon Blanco, she is always trying to be cool(kakkoii). However, in this solo project, not to spoil the image of anime characters, she pretended to be cute(kawaii). And even in this 'Ima sugu Kiss me', it seems she acted cute.

Here is the live clip of original version of 'Imasugu Kiss Me', and Anna looks she was conscious of this original vocal, Watase Maki, and the concept of 'kawaii' too much.


For the people who know Anna in Bon-Bon Blanco, her way of singing in 'Ima sugu Kiss Me' sounds like the one from someonelse, who is baka.

There are still good songs. #5, 'Koi no Katachi' and #8, 'Scar'. These songs are classic ballads, so the sense of the song writer is not a huge problem. And as Anna herself wrote the lyrics of 'Koi no Katacih', she is more emotional in this song than other works in this album.

Anyways, every time I listen to the songs in this album, I have to think, 'she can do better'.

In some interviews, she says she enjoys her new kawaii style she established in these anime projects. Then I'd like to say, To act kawaii can be done by common girls. But to become kakkoii can't be done by everybody. And she is the person who can do it.

Total rating: 7.0 kote
(*Koi no katachi:8.5 kote, Scar:8.0 kote, Ima sugu Kiss Me:7.5 kote, otheres:under 6.5 kote)

The author of Idolizing St.Anna used to advertise Bon-Bon Blanco as well as Perfume, because he'd thought it's worth to do it. But now it's sure he won't do it for this album.

But it's not Anna's fault, but the project's fault.

Thanks to this album's release, Anna's solo project completed the first stage. I wish the next one( if there is) will become more anime-free, musically great one.

--
But the reason he had to think like this might be the next album he bought on the same day was too great. Dohzi-T's 15 love stories.

(to be continued to Part2.)
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Just like the original girl, Kurumi is the 7gen member of Shining Musume. She is very talented person and soon became a popular member nicknamed 'Miracle Ace.'

However, the producer of Shining Musume, King thinks to become a genuine idol she needs more experience because she became popular too suddenly. Then he hires a coach called 'Ojisan' and order her to experience the hard life of poor idols.

For example, photo shooting events, and person-to-person sales of CD copies... and so on. And as it is an ero manga, she got involved into some sexual happenings. And Okina's greatest sense of humor is intact. There is a song from the original girl titled 'Hana wo puun!', but in this manga, Kao ni Dopyuun!!


In the end, it turns out that the evil coach who forced her to do such extreme training was a fan of Kowaru. He was controlled by black magic from Himei Eri and Mitsushige Sayumi, who envied Kowaru's popularity.

But she forgives the coach and told him to visit her concert again to support her.

This new series was a kind of short one, and ended with three episodes in five months.

I think it was a good story. I never thought Koharu is kawaii, but I thought Kowaru in this story is kawaii and attractive.


The writer Okina foretells that he will rewrite some episodes in the comic version on his blog. So, he may write another new episode of Shining Musume soon.

Then, I'm interested in how Okina handles and cooks 8gen members of Morning Musume in the story of Shining Musume. Especially Miss Mitsui, who is sometimes said 'the worst member in history'.

Anyway, Shining Musume continues. I've alread y lost the interest against Morning Musume , but it looks I can think Shining Musume is still funny. I'd like to continue to read this manga.
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--
In the early 90s, mobile phone or 'pocket bell' became popular among Japanese high school students.

Just like other countries, these tools changed young people's life drastically. Japanese high school students, especially female students became more defiant and independent. Then without caring about parents, they got the way to communicate each other.

Some students began personal prostitution to get allowance. It is what is called famous Enjo kousai. And supported by Enjo Kousai boom, even if they didn't do enkou, Japanese high school students began to arm themselves with sex. They began to wear more daring and seductive clothes to emphasize their youth.

Meanwhile, for otaku people, this change was not convenient. Otakus couldn't accept the change of high school students and began to create the ideal figure of women, who are kind, chaste, and of course beautiful in fictions.

In the middle of 90s, there was a boom of 'gal-game' , or Bishojo Game, video game which themed virtual love with anime characters. ( e.g. Tokimeki Memorial, Sakura Taisen... etc). And interestingly, this boom corresponds to the boom of Enjo kousai.

The gap between pretty women in reality and the ideal woman otakus draw continued over a decade, and it seems it is still spreading. And now, the image of women in otaku people's brains is fixed in the early in 90s, and they adhere to the panties in the 90s, shima-pan.

Personally, I am the person who accepted the women in reality these days. I love their lively panties, too., )especially, the animal-printed one) and never like the ones like shima-pantsu. (*)

And I think it's a problem that a certain number of Japanese men are just chasing after girls and parts in virtual world and never interested in reality. It must be one of reasons of decreasing birth rate of Japan. Then, they should set a new campaign to terminate the tradition of shima-pan;

'それパンツじゃないもん！恥ずかしいもん！'(That's not pantie!! It's embarrassing!)

For a rehab, I'd like to recommend them to go to AKB48's concert and try a bit realistic panties tomorrow.


(*)Some may refute that 'You (are)were an idol otaku who had been chasing after some Japanese young female musicians for years!!'. But I just say but the girls I was interested in were realistic girls, who don't tell a lie to themselves and hated them flattering to fans leaving their musical activities behind.
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