Genji Monogatari (1987 film)

An animated film based on the novel by Murasaki Shikibu, the Tale of Genji, written over 1000 years ago. Genji, the son of the emperor, is the talk of the Kyoto nobility for his charm and good looks, yet he cannot stop himself from pursuing an unobtainable object of desire: his father's young and beautiful bride. Following the tragic consequences of his obsession, Genji wanders from one affair to another, always seeking some sort of completion to his life.

(Source: ANN)


 * Adaptation Distillation: Inspired in the novel, The Tale of Genji, but adapted with creative freedom.
 * Anti-Hero: Genji.
 * Barbie Doll Anatomy: In some shots, some of the ladies appear half-naked, but without nipples.
 * Beautiful Dreamer: Genji, again.
 * Bishonen: The prince Genji, You can easily mistake him by one of the ladies, specially when he is wearing purple makeup.
 * Book Ends: The movie opens and ends with Genji dancing with his fan.
 * Casanova: Genji has several lovers; he jumps to one to another.
 * Cherry Blossoms: One of the main themes.
 * Dramatic Thunder: In the beginning of the movie.
 * Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": All "names" of the characters are not real names, but titles; "Hikaru Genji" means "the Shining Prince of the Minamoto Clan", "Lady Aoi" means "Lady Blue" and so on.
 * Forgotten Fallen Friend: . In the very next day of her death, Genji can be found tired and yawning at his palace.
 * Gainax Ending: The ending doesn't make any sense for most of the audience because is a typical zen philosofical ending:  I'm not kidding.
 * Gray Rain of Depression: Genji is depressed  He asks, "Where did they all go? What am I looking for?"
 * Keep Circulating the Tapes: Formerly available on subtitled VHS, now long out of print. You can still find copies occasionally, but they're liable to cost you a small fortune.
 * Love Makes You Evil:
 * Meaningful Funeral:
 * Melodramatic Pause: When Genji hears from the other nobles gossiping that.
 * Mukokuseki: Averted, all characters have Asiatic features.
 * Oedipus Complex: Lady Fujitsubo asks if it's true that she resembles Genji's mother, he answer that he doesn't remember her. She says: "Is it really me that you are seeking?"
 * Sacrificial Lamb:  in the first five minutes of the movie, before the opening.
 * Scenery Porn: The scenery is made to resemble traditional japanese paintings.
 * Stealth Hi Bye: Genji does this once.
 * Tomboy: Lady Murasaki, who prefers to play with balls as opposed to dolls.
 * Upper Class Twit: Genji.
 * Victim Falls For Rapist: Genji seems to be convinced of this.
 * Why Did It Have To Be Sakura: Genji has nightmares with sakura petals and several occasions . He develops some sort of "sakura trauma".
 * Wife Husbandry: Even sometimes referred to as a Hikaru Genji Plan. In this version, Genji completes his plan and makes  his last conquer. To Genji's credit, it was not his idea, but To no Chuujo's. It's also him who suggest that  ; Genji answers that it was.