Watching a whole bunch of movies by the director of Hausu 

...and now I really want a statue of Godzilla posed as The Thinker.

Today, April, 10, Nobuhiko Obayashi passed away, sadly, four years ago... To me, one of the most fascinating filmmakers in the History of cinema. My favorite, by the way, is Tomorrow (1995)

So cool to see Obayashi's films being talked about to such a large degree beyond his most famous work. You're a godsend.

April Fish actor is lead vocalist of , "Yellow Magic Orchestra", not "Yellow Submarine Orchestra "😅, but LOVE this review

Nice to finally see someone do a video on Obayashi thats more than the guy who made House. Thanks for reviewing him in the context of his filmography. I would also like to add Obayashi although his stylistic influence is limited he was a major figure in the experimental film movement in JP at the time. I know you cover more mecha stuff which is cool, ive enjoyed those videos. Any interest in doing more of these style of videos covering a single creative? Like say Shinya Tsukamoto in film or Masaaki Yuasa in animation? would be cool to see people give them a more academic and contextual analysis whilst reviewing their works

I've gotten into Obayashi over the course of the last year and he's since become my favourite director, although at this point I've only seen a handful of his shorts and 4 of his features. Really great video essay, always happy to see people championing his work. It's funny I think we're exactly aligned on The Little Girl Who Conquered Time. I can see all its flaws but I can't helped but be charmed by the atmosphere and the amount the movie buys in to the very adolescent emotions that center the movie. Also if you haven't seen it yet Bound for the Fields, the Mountains, and the Seacoast is top tier Obayashi for me, and available to watch on youtube. P.S. glad to see you recommend saving his last four movies, I see too many "where to start with obayashi" articles recommend hanagatami or labyrinth of cinema. I'm saving those until I've exhausted his filmography for things I want to watch.

I just want to say I appreciate your work.

Amazing video! I started watching Obayashi’s filmography about two years ago, and now I’ve watched almost all (can’t find 彼女が結婚しない理由) of his films, and this video definitely takes me back to the time I binged most of his stuff. I’m so glad his other films than House are starting to get even more recognition! I feel like rewatching all of his stuff now

For those who were also wondering, that banging song from The Visitor in the Eye is by Godiego and it's called "Dead End / Love Flowers Prophecy"

awesome introduction to his filmography. i saw house and now i want to see many more. luckily many are archived well on the internet.

Love your stuff, seeing this made my day!

As a cinema geek, I think Hausu is one of the greatest movies ever made.

I keep coming back to this 😭 its such a lovely video that never gets old, i really want to go through and watch these films myself now

Amazing video, especially your analysis of Kindaichi. I'm about halfway through Obayashi's filmography and that's the only one that I felt like I didn't 'get'. I'd urge you to check out The Deserted City, its a lot more grounded than his other works but to steal a phrase from you its incredibly aesthetic. It keeps you at a distance, but that's definitely the point unlike Island Closest to Heaven.

Thank you for this! 'House' is maybe my favorite movie and I really want to find some other Obayashi movies to enjoy, but haven't had any luck yet. I liked 'Hanagatami' stylistically but the characters were insufferable. I got 10 minutes into 'Labyrinth of Cinema' before totally losing interest.

Hey, bad letterboxd review of Kindaichi guy here! I must have (very Obayashi) psychic powers because I just today remembered you mentioned you were making a video and lo and behold, it only went up a bit ago! GREAT GREAT vid--already sharing it around as fuel for my very obnoxious Obayashi pushing. And it really gave me new appreciation for the work, too! Like, I've been feeling for almost a year now that I massively underrated Kindaichi, but you really convinced me wowowowow Absolutely killer stuff!! Can't wait to check out the rest of your vids now!

Hausu is alright but it's kind of like the popular song that gets people into a band before they find out that their other music is 1000x better. Also you missed his very best work, 'Switching - Goodbye Me' from 2007. It's right here on RU-vid. It's a remake of his 1980's film 'I Are You, You Am Me' and perfectly blends his older and later works into one incredible watch. The comedy, music and scenery are unmatched and the final scene is perfection.

Checked back in with this video after watching Beijing Watermelon and you’re bang on the money. It really is among his very best work for me.

I would really recommend 'I are you, you am me' (1982). It's by far my favourite Ôbayashi film

I’ve spent the last couple hours watching your videos and you’ve quickly become one of my favorite youtubers

yellow submarine orchestra

I actually pointed at the screen when Takahashi showed up, my man, RIP Great video

Fire video much love❤ love obyashi never bit the bullet on this concept, cause I figured nobody rocked with him like that. Good to see people rocking with him I cried when he died he’s just built so different.

23:47 this scene reminds me of a similar one in Noriko's Dinner Table, although that one has more of Sion Sono's over the top energy around it

it's so sad how hard it is is to find some of his movie. I know it's supposed to be one of his weakest but I've been trying to find and watch Take Me Away! for soooo long!!

Wonderful to see a video on Obayashi's career. One of the greats imo

The costumes are really beautiful and the film style is so… aesthetically pleasing 💖🌸

Yellow Submarine Orchestra lol

Loved the video, House is my favorite movie of all time and I've been meaning to work through Obayashi's filmography. Very glad to get this in my recommended immediately after ordering the two Obayashi Blu Ray sets from Third Window! I have some additional thoughts: I actually really liked The Drifting Classroom, and am surprised it's considered Obayashi's worst! The bad English language acting adds to the overall camp and it has some supreme Obayashi sentimental vibes to me, the painted backgrounds are great. It's a joy to watch and downright bizarre, alongside a fantastic soundtrack. I wouldn't exactly say it's "good" but it is incredibly entertaining and unlike anything I've ever seen before. I also had never heard of The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi, and immediately watched it after seeing your glowing review. I really liked it but I'm not sure if I can call it my favorite Obayashi movie. It's absolutely a movie made for 70s era Japanese fans of Kindaichi novels, of which I am none of those things. Also, sometimes the constant references to other popular films at the time honestly reminded me of the forced contemporary references you see in stuff like "Scary Movie" (this may be an unfair comparison considering this came out about 30 years before, also Kindaichi has a much more justified reason per your interpretation). However, I loved the soundtrack, energy, and ending. I wouldn't rewatch it until there's a better master available - which speaking of, I found a supposed "HD" version available for buying/rent on Japanese Amazon Prime Video. There's also detailed explanations of all the movie's references on the movie's Japanese Wikipedia page, albeit obviously not in English. Loved the video again!

Glad to see someone else spreading the word of Obayashi. 👏

Hope you don't mind only me only watching the Kandichi section since that is the only film of his I saw besides House. I found your analysis of it interesting as someone who did felt like he was missing a lot of context, confused, and felt it went on for too long. It being a meta-textual pop culture overlord gave me a better way to see this film.

Great video!!! Thank you! I've seen only 21 films by Obayashi until now. I still think that The Visitor in the Eye is his worst film (from the ones I have watched) - but seeing the scenes in your video, I have a warm nostalgic feeling, like remembering the film fondly. Yay, another one who loves the Hosoda adaptation of The Girl Who ... - I think you underrated Four Sisters. But in the end, I am maybe the weird one because my taste differs from other people's taste most of the time. In my rating it is at the moment on 2nd place. Thank you for reminding me to watch April Fish! Hehe, I kind of love The Drifting Class Room. The acting is almost unbearable, I know, but after adjusting to it the film really kept me. On the other hand: I don't know the manga - so I had no expectations. But I have the same problem with The Discarnates, which I like - but I love the novel, and I was slightly disappointed from the film. But still a good one. You are missing the best in my opinion (that everyone nowadays hate): Haruka, Nostalgia (1993).

Amazing video, can't wait to see more of your videos about film!

Thank you for doing God's work. I've been meaning to get into Obayashi's body of work and this helps a lot! :]

to watch: school in the crosshairs his motorbike her island Adventures of kosuke kindaichi The discarnates April fish • The drifting classroom • Chizuko’s younger sister • I are you you are me •

excellent video, thank you!

Haven't finished watching the video yet but just gotta say: woah what a awesome coincidence that I also recently started going down this rabbithole only for you to post a video about Obayashi's work not too long after!

i can't believe i let you add nine whole movies to my watchlist

Obayashi movies are beyond captivating and visionary my first movie was lonely heart

Damnnn so good! I wanna watch tehm all now!

great video :D

BLACK DRESSES MENTIONED!!!!!

Who was the director that did that stop motion style film with the guy that turns into a machine it was a film show on MTV ‘s adult swim in the early 90’s

i love this vid

Nobuhiko Obayashi directed a Kenya Boy anime movie too.

wake up babe, new pyramid inu video

I just watched Emotion & that was a experience lol

Chewsday Night Suspense

I would be very glad to get a list of where you can watch all of these, because I haven't been able to find anywhere to watch ones like Furimukeba Ai, for example

The manga based drifting classroom movie inspired an American version.

Vro can u link ur letterboxd profile 🙏🏻

where did you watch April fish? been looking for it for years!

The visuals in Drifting Classroom were pretty wild though, which was remarkable to me. The acting was pretty meh tbh so i can agree.

Me 3 days ago: Where have you been? It's been 2 months? You: HERE'S 26! TWENTY SIX! THAT'S TWO TENS, AND SIX ONES!

KENYA BOY WAS HIS? What the fuck fam.

What’s the film that discuss the imagery of Tezuka’s Astro Boy & has a picture of Isoroku Yamamoto

He did monkey magic yeah ?

noice, thnx

Drifting Classroom is the best Obayashi film, I am sorry to say.

Super fun video. What would be the top 3 or 4 films you’d suggest watching after House?

Have you seen all 32 of his films😇😇😇

I like Sada movie but the ending was kinda boring for being the childish comedy movie 😊

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Never trust a man who plays guitar ;)

God I hate your generation of “know it all, no nothing’s” your discovery of film and analog synthesizers but produce nothing but cheap talk.

Ahhh this is such a cool video. Housu is one of my favorites 🫡❤️