Princess Raccoon (2005)

Amechiyo (The banished prince) falls in love with Tanukihime (a princess of raccoon dog disguised to human). This is an Operetta which includes comedy, singing and dancing, and a love story.

Director:

Seijun Suzuki

Writer:

Yoshio Urasawa

Stars:

Ziyi Zhang, Joe Odagiri, Hiroko Yakushimaru

5 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ziyi Zhang	...	Tanukihime
Joe Odagiri	...	Amechiyo
Hiroko Yakushimaru	...	Ohagi no tsubone
Mikijirô Hira	...	Azuchi Momoyama
Tarô Yamamoto	...	Ostrich Monk
Gentaro Takahashi	...	Butler Raccoon
Saori Yuki	...	Virgen Hag
Miwako Ichikawa	...	Kome
Hibari Misora	...	CG appearance
Eisuke Sasai	...	Yasuke
Papaya Suzuki	...	Junior Raccoon
Taro Nanshu
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Federico Aletta	...	Nan-bannjin (painter)
Akira Matsushita
Noriko Shiina

Storyline

Amechiyo is being hunted by his father for being too beautiful and as he tries to escape he runs into Princess Raccoon, a raccoon in human form. They fall for each other, but humans and raccoons shouldn't mix so the raccoon court causes some trouble. She saves his life, then he saves hers by finding the Frog of Paradise on the Sacred Mountain and so forth, until the tragic finale.

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Plot Keywords:

chinese actress playing japanese character | raccoon | love | singing | frog | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese Mandarin

Release Date:

28 May 2005 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Princess Raccoon

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,844

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ogura Jimusyo Co., Dentsu, Eisei Gekijo

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The giant painting seen during the villains' rap scene is based on the oil painting, Andromeda, by Sir Edward John Poynter.

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Quotes

Ohagi no tsubone: Many things happened.
[subtitled version]

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Soundtracks

un'mei no wana
Written by Michiru Ôshima
Performed by Ziyi Zhang

User Reviews

A Parody of Musical Theater by Magical Shape-Shifters

"Many things happened," sighs Lady Hagi. The actress Hiroko Yakushimaru commented in the DVD extras that this explains her character's entire philosophy. It can also apply to the whole thing.

Watching this movie is an Experience. It confused my brain, but made my mouth smile. I did not expect it, but afterward, I wanted to watch it again.

This is a parody of musicals, movies, theater, folklore, religion and myth. There are many more connections than I can name. There are references to Japanese culture mixed with items from all over the world.

During the villains' rap scene, a giant painting of Andromeda is featured. This set piece looks like a painting by Sir Edward John Poynter. It has a man's face added in the ocean waves.

The ancient Greek story of Andromeda has been used in movies such as "Clash of the Titans." Her mother was in trouble with the gods for bragging about her beauty. Her parents send Andromeda to be killed by a sea monster to atone for this, but she is saved by a handsome hero.

This myth is echoed in "Princess Raccoon" when Prince Amechiyo is doomed by his father, who wants to remain, "the fairest of them all." This phrase also reminded me of the fairy tale Snow White.

The set painting sometimes has the number 1582 on it. I'm not sure, but it could be related to Japan being exposed to Western traders. Some Portuguese characters appear in early scenes.

The female villain, Virgen Hag, is Catholic. The hero carries a rosary. Words from that religion are used, but it doesn't seem to be with understanding. The satire doesn't bite.

Every scene is full of connections and links. I'm sure I didn't get half of all the jokes. The movie is still enjoyable as spectacle. Gawk at the visuals and listen to the "soda-water" songs.

I think this could become a cult musical like the Rocky Horror Picture Show.