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Roujin Z

Original title: Rôjin Z
  • 1991
  • PG-13
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Roujin Z (1991)
Home Video Trailer from Central Park Media
Play trailer1:53
1 Video
13 Photos
AnimationComedyDrama

A compassionate young nurse is determined to help an elderly invalid strapped to a revolutionary health care bed but there are unexpected consequences.A compassionate young nurse is determined to help an elderly invalid strapped to a revolutionary health care bed but there are unexpected consequences.A compassionate young nurse is determined to help an elderly invalid strapped to a revolutionary health care bed but there are unexpected consequences.

  • Director
    • Hiroyuki Kitakubo
  • Writer
    • Katsuhiro Ôtomo
  • Stars
    • Shinji Ogawa
    • Shinsuke Chikaishi
    • Chisa Yokoyama
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Hiroyuki Kitakubo
    • Writer
      • Katsuhiro Ôtomo
    • Stars
      • Shinji Ogawa
      • Shinsuke Chikaishi
      • Chisa Yokoyama
    • 9User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Roujin Z
    Trailer 1:53
    Watch Roujin Z

    Photos13

    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)
    Roujin Z (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Shinji Ogawa
    • Suguru Terada
    • (voice)
    Shinsuke Chikaishi
    • Yoshihiko Hasegawa
    • (voice)
    Chisa Yokoyama
    Chisa Yokoyama
    • Haruko Mitsuhashi
    • (voice)
    Hikojirô Matsumura
    • Kijûrô Takazawa
    • (voice)
    Ryûji Saikachi
    • Old Man
    • (voice)
    Takeshi Aono
    Takeshi Aono
    • Old Man
    • (voice)
    Kôji Tsujitani
    • Mitsuru Maeda
    • (voice)
    Chie Satô
    • Nobuko Ômae
    • (voice)
    • (as Chie Satou)
    Rica Matsumoto
    Rica Matsumoto
    • Tomoe Satô
    • (voice)
    Teiji Ômiya
    • Manager Minagawa
    • (voice)
    Tamio Ôki
    • Tachibana
    • (voice)
    Sho Saito
    • Haru Takazawa
    • (voice)
    Ken'ichi Ogata
    Ken'ichi Ogata
    • Riot Police Captain
    • (voice)
    Bin Shimada
    Bin Shimada
    • Staffer A
    • (voice)
    Chô
    • Reporter A
    • (voice)
    • (as Yûichi Nagashima)
    Toshiyuki Morikawa
    Toshiyuki Morikawa
    • Reporter B
    • (voice)
    Wataru Takagi
    Wataru Takagi
    • Reporter C
    • (voice)
    Takumi Yamazaki
    Takumi Yamazaki
    • Reporter D
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Hiroyuki Kitakubo
    • Writer
      • Katsuhiro Ôtomo
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie features several devices made by Sony, the most recognizable being the Trinitron and the Unix-based NEWS workstation.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Hasegawa: No one messes with the Ministry of Public Welfare!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Screamers/Richard III/Bed of Roses/Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored/Angels and Insects (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Hashire jitensha
      (Run, Bicycle Run)

      Lyrics by Mishio Ogawa

      Music by Bun Itakura

      Arranged by Bun Itakura

      Courtesy of Epic/Sony Records

    User reviews9

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Part Sci-Fi, Part Action, Part Comedy, Part Satire - A Well-Rounded Film
    Can mankind advance without losing their humanity? Conservatives throughout history have fought our gradual change, but ultimately lost, only tarnishing their legacy. Yet even rational, progressive individuals worry about our increasingly wired world, where face-to-face conversation is replaced by text on electronic screens. Thus, Roujin Z's premise is more relevant than ever, over two decades after its release - should technology replace human interaction?

    In this near future, Japan is not in mid-Apocalypse, but is a modernized metropolis. People may live longer and enjoy more comforts, but old customs are struggling to survive. The frail, demented eldery aren't always treated with reverence, but as burdens, families ignoring traditional roles by hiring nursing homes or caretakers to provide their needs. With new technology from a mysterious source, the Ministry of Public Welfare reveals the ultimate caretaker for any fading senior citizen: the Z-001, a mechanical bed that functions as a perfect life support system and entertainment center. When one of her patients is forced into the machine through his family's permission, Haruko attempts to free him, objecting to, in her mind, a cold practice.

    Little do they know that the Z-001 is more than an advanced medical suite...

    The social satire in the film is well-done - slightly outrageous, but not unbelievable. Both sides are portrayed, yet neither are vilified. The film is much more mature than most of the crude, violent sci-fi anime of the 80s/90s. But that's just the starting point for an adventure involving a renegade machine, spiraling out of control as it incorporates whatever touches its wires! A good portion sets up the plot, character, and tone, but at the end of the day, the ridiculous action is the headliner of the movie.

    Which isn't to say Roujin Z is a mediocre film. In fact, it mixes many elements to its benefit. Its enjoyable, but not empty of character nor theme. Characters may have comedic reactions to events, but its never out of place, nor overused. The machine's chaotic wake may be impressive, but its serves more purpose than action alone. Its a balanced movie, that doesn't rely on tired, lowest-common-denominator tropes.

    I suppose there's minor complaints. Hanako's college friends aren't particularly useful or interesting. The animation is alright, but only that. The main focus is loosened up once the action begins, but it never drops out from the film entirely. Besides, I was enjoying myself regardless.

    Roujin Z is a very solid, unfortunately forgotten anime. Its probably too balanced to make your best-of list, but I don't see much to dislike about it. Its perfectly paced, entertaining, a little emotional, and may even make you reflect on life. I'd recommend it to most people, and say its a high pick for sci-fi/retro anime fans.
    helpful•5
    1
    • DonaldDooD
    • Jul 19, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official site
      • Rapid Eye Movies (German distributor)
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • 老人Z
    • Production companies
      • A.P.P.P.
      • Aniplex
      • Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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