patrickthehedgehog
Member
Dezaki started out as a manga artist while still in high school. In 1963 he joined Mushi Production, which was founded by manga and anime pioneer Osamu Tezuka. His made his debut as a director in 1970 with Ashita no Joe.[3]
Dezaki was known for his distinct visual style, which makes use of split screen, stark lighting, extensive use of dutch angle, and pastel freeze frames that he called "postcard memories", which may be his most famous trademark. They feature a process whereby the screen fades into a detailed "painting" of the simpler original animation. Many of his techniques became popular and came to be seen as special techniques of Japanese animation. He particularly influenced Yoshiaki Kawajiri,[4] Yoshiyuki Tomino,[5] Ryūtarō Nakamura, Noriyuki Abe, Kunihiko Ikuhara,[6] Akiyuki Shinbo,[7] and Yutaka Yamamoto.[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osamu_Dezaki
Nobody’s Boy: Remi / Ie Naki Ko Remi 1977-1978
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2130
Summary:
Remi lives with his mother in a French village. His father, Barberin, works in Paris. When he returns wounded and hard-hearted, Remi discovers he is actually a foundling. Barberin sells Remi to a traveling artist, Vitalis, and his animals troop. Heart-broken Remi leaves his home to face the hardships of a traveling artist's life. In Vitalis Remi finds the father he lacks. Tragedies strike one after another to leave Remi alone with the faithful dog Capi. Between staying with a family of gardeners, where he gets attached to the youngest mute daughter Lise, and traveling with his best friend Mattia, earning his living by playing the harp, Remi searches for a place in life... Until he discovers his real parents may be alive, and undertakes a perilous journey to London in search of his family.
Review: I’m usually pretty hesitant to begin television shows that run around 50 episodes and there’s not a lot that is obviously appealing about this show from the outset. I knew only a few episodes into this that I’d be in for the long haul and this ended up being one of my favorite animated TV shows I’ve ever seen. The shit that Remi must go through is unfathomable and yet the optimism of Remi pulls you through all the way to one of the most satisfying endings I’ve seen. “It’s always good-bye and living is a struggle” are lyrics from the theme song and I’d say it really suits the show. Notably, all of Dezaki’s trademark animation effects are here with postcard memories and beautiful multilayered scrolling backgrounds. Apparently they developed a new technique for this show and you’ll see it come up quite a bit.
The Rose of Versailles / Versailles no Bara 1979-1980
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=451
Summary:
Raised from birth as a man, the Lady Oscar commands the palace guards at Versailles in the years before the French Revolution. Her beauty and noble spirit make her a shining figure in the eyes of both men and women but she is torn between her chosen life of service and duty to class and country and her own heart and desires. She lives as a noble amidst the opulence of Versailles but her keen senses and compassion are not blinded to the poverty of the French people.
Thoughts: I’ve just started this show as of yesterday. The animation isn’t as technically impressive as Remi, but I’ve read that Dezaki isn’t directing until around episode 19 or so. Really excited to see this one as it must have a good reason for it’s huge following. You’ll recognize its influence in Revolutionary Girl Utena!
Space Adventure Cobra 1982-1983
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=612
Summary:
Cobra is very known space pirate, but decides to change his face and to clear all his memories. He becomes a common guy, with a common job, and a very boring life, but suddenly he starts remembering his true identity and new adventures begin.
Review: Where do I even begin? To me, this is the ideal space opera / action anime. A little bit of Lupin, a little bit of 007 and a whole lot of amazing alien worlds to visit! Cobra as a character is immediately appealing, the background artwork is sublime and the BGM and OP/ED are top notch. If you have any interest in pulp scifi you’ve got to watch the 80s Space Adventure Cobra TV series. The movie of the same name is also fun, but I was upset that Cobra had a different voice actor.
Hakugei: Legend of the Moby Dick / Hakugei Densetsu 1997-1999
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1655
Summary:
In 4699, spaceships drifting in space go by the name of whales. Ahab Whale Hunting Company is a whale-hunting company led by a prominent whale hunter Ahab. One day, a child named Lucky comes to Ahab, asking him to rescue Mohd, his home planet in danger. Ahab sets off to the planet to battle against "Moby Dick", the spaceship armed with planet-annihilating artilleries also known as"White Devil". Actually Moby Dick is Ahab's old enemy with deprived him of his leg and eye.
Review: This might be the weakest of shows I’ve seen that Dezaki is involved in and yet I still enjoyed it a great bit when I snagged all the DVDs for real cheap back in the day. I’d say the highlight of this one is probably the artwork and animation even if it’s not always firing on all cylinders. I also didn’t really care for the young child main character as he’s a bit grating. The setting feels a lot like the world of Cowboy Bebop or Outlaw Star so if you enjoyed those you might want to give this a look. Again, not really anything that impressive, but a fun show to watch an episode of each night before bed. Nice atmosphere too.
Black Jack OAV 1993-2000
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=525
Summary:
Black Jack is the mysterious doctor whose past is unknown, but skills are legendary. The rich and powerful seek him to help when conventional doctors fail, but rumor says he isn't even licensed.
Thoughts: If you already know Black Jack this take on the character is a bit darker both art-wise and features plots that are a bit more dark / mature than the previous series. There’s also a movie which follows this longer OAV series. I’ve only seen half of it so far, but I can’t wait to see the rest as Black Jack always entertains. Great production values here.
Other works:
Astro Boy (original series)
Lupin the 3rd
Oniisama e
Ashita no Joe
Golgo 13 movie / Queen Bee OAV
Belladonna
A Thousand & One Nights
Aim for the Ace!
Treasure Island TV
Oniisama e
I'm still chipping away at his stuff now that I know I like him. Has anyone seen his other stuff that I didn't mention here? Please share your thoughts!
