divUpon its US release in the mid-1990siGhost in the Shell/i, directed by Mamoru Oshii, quickly became one of the most popular Japanese animation films, or anime, in the country. Despite these accolades, Oshii is known as a contrarian within anime, a self-proclaimed stray dog, with a unique cinematic vision. Working in both live-action film and animation, directing everything from absurdist comedy to thrillers to meditations on the nature of reality, Oshii defies the confines of genre and form.iStray Dog of Anime/iis the first book to take an in-depth look at his major films, from the early days working oniUrusei Yatsura/itoiAvalon/i, his most recent feature. Ruh details Oshii's evolution as a director, paying special attention to his personal style and symbolism, resulting in a unique guide that will appeal to anime fans and cineastes of all kinds.br/divdivIntroduction to Oshii *iThe World of Urusei Yatsura/i:iUrusei Yatsura/i:iOnly You/iandiUrusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer * Angel's Egg * Twilight Q 2: Labyrinth Objects File 538/i* The World of Patlabor:iPatlabor 1/iandiPatlabor 2/i*iGhost in the Shell/i*iJin-Roh/iandiBlood the Last Vampire/i*iAvalon/i* Conclusionbr/divdivIntroduction to Oshii *iThe World of Urusei Yatsura/i:iUrusei Yatsura/i:iOnly You/iandiUrusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer * Angel's Egg * Twilight Q 2: Labyrinth Objects File 538/i* The World of Patlabor:iPatlabor 1/iandiPatlabor 2/i*iGhost in the Shell/i*iJin-Roh/iandiBlood the Last Vampire/i*iAvalon/i* Conclusionbr/divdivA fine introduction to one of Japanese animation's few true auteurs,iStray Dog/iexamines Oshii's films from both sides of the camera. Brian Ruh's work is scholarly but readable, and affirmative but critical -- an education for academics and fans alike. Welcome to Class Real. --Jonathan Clements, co-author,iThe Anime Encyclopedia/ibrbrBrian R
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