Penguin Memories

Mike is a sensitive soul that has seen too much. His story begins with him in the midst of the Vietnam War, when this poetry-loving individual sees the horrors of war first-hand. While he survives and gets discharged after injury, several friends don't make it. Shell-shocked, he tries to find his place in the world, becoming a drifter, participating in underground fighting rings, and acting generally numb to the world until he settles down in a nice, quiet town to take care of their library. There, he falls in love, contends with a love rival, and discovers that running away from his problems only results in them exploding in his face.

It's very poignant. Very serious. And every single character is a cute penguin.

Conceived as an Anime vehicle to promote popular 80's-era Suntory Beer mascot Mike The Penguin, this movie is one of the most jarring things to watch, as you see penguins that appear like they belong in a children's show with a script that is on par, in both content and tone, with The Deer Hunter. It also features the song "Sweet Memories," by Seiko Matsuda, one of the all-time most successful idol singers in Japan.

Nearly impossible to find these days even in Japan, and the inherent Mood Whiplash pretty much ensures that there will be No Export for You.


 * Captain Ersatz - Mike's Captain Ersatz, Pentarou of Penguin Adventures and Parodius is actually more well-known than the original.
 * Everything's Better with Penguins
 * Gratuitous English - All the penguin names. In particular, "TOOOOOMUUUUUU!"
 * The Deer Hunter with penguins. Also, Penguin Fight Club.
 * Mood Whiplash - The art style versus the subject. Also, when the random singalong with the penguin chicks happens.
 * The Musical - Given the romantic interest was voiced by an Idol Singer, pretty much a given.
 * Narm - It's really hard to take this movie seriously, despite its subject matter, because its art style does not fit it at all.
 * No Export for You - Suntory won't let it be exported, mostly afraid they'd be ridiculed if it got out of Japan.
 * Shell-Shocked Veteran - Mike spends much of the movie like this.
 * Values Dissonance - Apparently, a woman should give up all her dreams to be a housewife if she falls in love.
 * War Is Hell