Hold Up, Mate: Kojima's Raving About a French Sci-Fi Anime, And I Reckon He's Onto Something Bloody Brilliant
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Gaming legend Hideo Kojima is raving about *Mars Express*, a French sci-fi noir anime that might have flown under your radar but deserves your attention for its incredible world-building and narrative depth, proving that true gems don't always need blockbuster budgets.
Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've been tinkering with a particularly intriguing signal from the gaming ether this morning, and it's sent a few delightful sparks flying in my brain-pan. You know that feeling when Hideo Kojima, the man who practically blueprints cinematic experiences into game code, drops an opinion? It's like a wizard casting a spell – you pay attention, because sometimes it accidentally blows a hole through reality and reveals something truly wild. Well, buckle up, because Kojima's latest rave isn't about a game at all, but a French sci-fi noir anime called *Mars Express*.
Now, I'll admit, my internal hype meter usually gets a bit wonky when a celebrity (even a gaming demigod) starts gushing. We've all seen the marketing machine churn out 'must-sees' that turn out to be about as exciting as watching paint dry in a metaverse. But Kojima? The bloke who crafts narrative tapestries so intricate they make quantum physics look simple? When he takes to X (formerly Twitter, bless its chaotic heart) to declare a film hits all the sweet spots – 'The look, design, world-building, story, theme, authorial voice. It evokes the hard Sci-Fi anime that I love – the ones released in the ‘80s and ‘90s during the OVA boom from the likes of Mamoru Oshii, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and Satoshi Kon' – well, that's not just a recommendation. That's a *directive*, mate.
And bloody hell, he's absolutely right. *Mars Express*, directed by Jeremie Perin, flew under pretty much everyone's radar when it first landed in 2023, pulling in a measly $1.5 million at the box office. Sounds like a flop, right? But much like a hidden quest giver in an obscure corner of an RPG, it’s been quietly building a formidable reputation, recently having its theatrical premiere in Japan and earning the rather bold claim from Japan Times as 'the best anime film of recent years.' Best anime film? Coming from the land of anime? That's high praise for a French flick, even one clearly channelling the cyberpunk energy of classics like *Ghost in the Shell* and *Akira*.
So, what's the fuss about? Imagine this: it's the year 2200, and we're on Noctis, the capital city of a freshly colonised Mars. Humans and androids exist side-by-side, in that glorious, messy, often violent cohabitation only sci-fi can truly capture. Our leads are Aline Ruby, a hardened private detective, and her android partner, Carlos Rivera. What starts as a 'routine' hacker case (because when are they ever routine?) quickly spirals into a tangle of rogue robots, dodgy 'brain farms,' and a missing girl whose secret could shatter the delicate balance between flesh and circuit board. It's got that gritty, neon-soaked 'Animatrix meets Ghost in the Shell' vibe, where freedom breeds chaos, human supremacy is enforced by angry mobs, and a quiet robot revolution is simmering just beneath the surface. As Aline digs deeper, she uncovers just how fragile that line between what makes us 'us' and what makes a machine a machine really is.
Clocking in at just under 90 minutes – a tight, focused narrative, unlike some sprawling 100-hour game epics – *Mars Express* wears its influences like badges of honour. Perin isn't shy about his inspirations, tossing in a robotic chase scene that'd make T-1000 proud, complete with a liquid-metal hand blade that gives a cheeky nod to *Terminator 2*. Keen-eyed gamers will also spot a gun that looks suspiciously like the assault rifle from *Halo 2* – a nice touch that blurs the lines between our interactive and passive entertainment. And those organic robots? They’ve got a distinct, mutated mass-of-flesh look that’s a clear homage to Tetsuo's gruesome transformation in *Akira*.
But it's not just the visual nods. The cinematography borrows liberally from Satoshi Kon, using 3D computer animation in smart, practical ways. It elevates simple actions – walking down a hall, entering a room – making them feel cinematic and alive, drawing you deeper into Noctis's shadowy underbelly. This isn't just sci-fi; it's got that *Chinatown*-style noir mystery baked in, slowly unraveling a conspiracy that keeps you guessing.
And for Kojima fans, there's an Easter egg that's just too good: Carlos, our android detective, at one point loses an arm and replaces it with a bright red prosthetic that's an unmistakable twin to Venom Snake's arm in *Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain*. It’s a subtle wink that probably had Kojima grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
So, what's the takeaway for us gamers? It's a prime example of how incredible storytelling, world-building, and artistic vision can transcend big budgets and massive marketing campaigns. *Mars Express* has all the makings of an instant cult classic, the kind of hidden gem you stumble upon and then spend weeks telling all your mates about. It reminds us that great art, whether interactive or cinematic, often draws from a common well of inspiration, and that the 'auteurial voice' Kojima champions is what truly makes a piece of work stand out.
Fair dinkum, if Kojima's giving it the thumbs up, and it's getting this kind of buzz, it’s worth a look. So, if you're keen for a mind-bending sci-fi noir that'll scratch that cyberpunk itch, you can find *Mars Express* available to rent or purchase on most major online platforms like YouTube, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home. Go on, dive in – you might just discover your next obsession.
Original article by Isaac Rouse for Polygon.
Tags: Sci-Fi, Anime, Cyberpunk, Hideo Kojima, Film & Gaming
Original article: Polygon