Hideo Kojima’s favorite for this French animated film

Released more than two years ago in France, Mars Express is arriving in Japan. And can count on weight support!

“A fairly inimitable visual touch. After that, French SF will never be the same…” wrote Première in its review in November 2023. Since then, Mars Express has come a long way and is even arriving these days on Japanese screens.

Nominated for the César for Best Animated Film in 2024 (beaten by Linda wants chicken!), the feature film will try to establish itself in the land of anime. But he already has strong support to help him: Hideo Kojima!

The acclaimed video game creator, director of Death Stranding particularly in recent years, is full of praise for Jérémie Périn’s film. To the point of launching on its networks:

“This French anime is something we must support and protect at all costs!”

Hideo Kojima also details: “The look, the design, the world-building, the story, the theme, the voice of the author. It evokes the hard animated Sci-Fi that I love — those released in the 80s and 90s, during the OVA boom, by names like Mamoru Oshii, Yoshiaki Kawajiri or Satoshi Kon! These pioneers enlightened the “otaku”, then considered “minorities” in Japan, with their genius, and sowed the seeds of the culture Otaku throughout the world. It’s a form of animation that could only emerge in this particular era — neither “live-action”, nor “cartoon”, but our real Japanimation. This film is exactly that!

He concludes:

“This is a rare anime, one that could never have seen the light of day via streaming platforms or even in modern Japan.”

With the support of such an adored director, Mars Express will arrive (January 30) in Japanese theaters with certain hype.