Sunday, August 30, 2015

Black & White - Akuma no Tenshi, Tenshi no Akuma

REVIEW 5
Black & White - Akuma no Tenshi, Tenshi no Akuma


Black & White Trailer

Why is the world dived into two different parts: this is ultimate question of Black & White

Synopsis:

In an unknown time, angels and demons were created to balance the world. Created in the same image and labeled with a five digit code number, angels of white strive to bring peace to the world while demons of black seek to bring havoc and destruction. This is how it always has been, until one day something strange happens - Kuro, and angel of black and Shiro, a demon of white are born and both labeled 18782.

Above: Kuro (Takuya) in The realm of the Angels

Above: Shiro (Dori) in The realm of the Demons

The angels seek to spread messages of peace and live pure "white" lives. Though a black Kuro tries his hardest to be like his fellow white angels, but the angels ignore Kuro and cast him aside. Opposite the angels, demons seek to cause trouble and make the world a "blacker" place. Like Kuro, the white demon Shiro tries to be as cold hearted as his fellow demons but cannot stand his ground. When during daily training Shiro refuses to kill and collect the souls from captured humans, the demons shame him and refer to him as "unwanted guy" (an alternate Japanese pronunciation of his label 18782). Feeling alone and about to follow the others, Shiro comes across an abandoned videotape lying on the ground. Nervous but curious, Shiro decides to play the tape and is shocked to discover that it is a "How To Make Friends" video with various episodes on how to make and keep friends. Having never heard of or had a friend before, Shiro becomes enveloped in the concept of friends and decides to run away from the realm of the demons to find himself one of these "friends".

Above: The Treasure Hunter studies the blue-red jewel known as the Blue Garnett

Kuro sits alone in the realm of the angels until a strange man suddenly appears to him. After explaining that he is an angel, the man tells Kuro that he is a treasure hunter and been searching for the five blue-red jewels known as the Blue Garnetts and that once all five are collected the jewels grant the collector one wish. The treasure hunter appeals to Kuro to find the four remaining jewels in his place and wish to revive him and in exchange, he will tell Kuro how to become a white angel. Kuro agrees and sets off to find the Blue Garnetts until he is suddenly interrupted by a swarm of angels who attempt to capture him, while at the same time Shiro is being perused by the demons. Having lost their respective parties, Kuro and Shiro accidentally bump into each other and Shiro quickly explains that although he is white he is actually a demon and known as "unwanted guy". Kuro tries to leave but is stopped by Shiro who suddenly asks to become friends. Kuro shows no interest and angrily leaves to find the remaining four jewels with Shiro close behind singing what he calls "the friend song".

Kuro and Shiro travel to the first world where the next Blue Garnett is hiden, The World of Contradiction. The holders of the jewel, the Okama roses, appear and explain how they abide by the laws of contradiction and use dance to explain themselves. With Shiro close behind, Kuro arrives in the world and quickly orders the roses to hand over the jewel. They agree to do this, but only if Kuro and Shiro are able to move them through dance. The roses then give both Kuro and Shiro various, strange themes to which they must dance to in order to obtain the jewels. Kuro and Shiro endure the roses demands until they are satisfied and willingly hand over the jewel. With three jewels left to collect Kuro and Shiro head to the next world.

Above: Kuro (Takuya) and Shiro (Dori) on their journey to find the Blue Garnetts

The next Blue Garnett resides in The World of Repulsion. Kuro and Shiro arrive in this world to find themselves surrounded by magnets and stuck together unable to separate. The pair quickly learn that they can be seperated and put back together by a throw of the switchbox and explain that they are collecting the Blue Garnett jewels. Having never heard of the Blue Garnett, the magnets state that such a jewel does not exist but adamant it must be there Kuro persists. He is finally granted permission to search for the jewel if he is able to defy the laws of repulsion and separate the magnet poles. After learning that certain rhythms are what can do this, Kuro and Shiro begin dancing and successfully separate the magnets. Kuro desperately searches for the jewel and comes to the switch box, which he destroys to find the Blue Garnett inside. As the two prepare to leave the world of magnets and continue their search, Shiro nags Kuro once more about becoming friends and begins singing the "Friend Song" from the video. Kuro becomes angry, casts Shiro aside and continues to the next world. Shiro takes this opportunity to watch more of his video and learn of other ways to make and keep friends before running after Kuro.

Kuro and Shiro arrive in the third world after hiding from their respective groups who are relentlessly searching for them. Having arrived in third world, The World of Language, the two meet a being who agrees to give over the Blue Garnett if they can impress him with backwards language. Kuro refuses to take part and attempts to steal the jewel but is ultimately unsuccessful. Wanting to help his friend, Shiro steps in and holds an elaborate conversation of backwards language with the being until he hands over the jewel. Shiro runs to Kuro and hands over the jewel stating that he would do anything for a friend. Kuro takes it and the two continue to the next world.

With only one jewel left to collect, Shiro becomes excited that the friendship he has with Kuro will become stronger once they have completed their task. He starts the video and breaks into the "friend song" which irritates Kuro to such an extant that he rips the tape out of the player and destroys it. Horrified, Shiro calls Kuro a demon and frantically tries to fix the tape and attempts to watch once more, though it no longer runs properly. Shiro watches what is left of the video, reminisces about his life as a demon and the number he has been cursed with before following Shiro to the final world.

Kuro arrives alone in the next world and finds himself among a group of mushrooms playing games. Kuro joins in and cheats hoping to obtain the final jewel quickly and without much embarrassment. Just when he thinks he has won, the mushrooms suddenly disappear and Kuro finds his hands bound and surrounded by angels. Realizing that he has been tricked, Kuro is left guarded for the night and all is quiet until the treasure hunter appears once more. After dispensing of the guards, the hunter brings Shiro to Kuro who begs him to set him free which Shiro agrees to only if he and Kuro will become friends. Kuro reluctantly agrees and Shiro sets him free, but the angels reappear and capture Kuro once more. Desperate to save his friend Shiro finds a knife in his hand (put there by the invisible treasure hunter) and attacks one the angels holding Shiro hostage. Wounding him, the rest of the angels draw their weapons and prepare to strike Shiro, as the angelic leader reminds Shiro that his action technically would be considered an act of war. Left alone once more, Shiro insistently asks Kuro if they have finally become friends. As they prepare to travel to the final world Kuro tells Shiro that if they did become friends he would sing such a stupid song (referring to the "Friend Song").

The final Blue Garnett resides in The World of Light. Kuro and Shiro comes across a blind man playing the Japanese game Otello, a game where black can become white and white can become black. Seeing that he is blind, Shiro offers to steal the jewel for Kuro but upon trying to do so the man reveals that he is not blind after all. The man questions why an angel and demon are together and states that he will not hand over the Blue Garnett while he is alive. Knowing this is the last jewel in order to make a wish, Kuro attempts to steal the jewel several times but is never able to obtain it. Enjoying the games, the man suddenly tells Kuro and Shiro to add their numbers together, 18782+18782. 37564 = Minagoroshi or Kill Everyone. The man laughs and states that the two of them should have never met and they will be what destroys the world. Once more, anger overwhelms Shiro and he uses his knife to attack the man. Having lost all strength in his hand the man drops the jewel and Shiro is able to grab it before the man can react. He apologizes for causing the man pain before throwing him into the darkness.

Above: Kuro (Takuya) holds Shiro (Dori) in his arms

Shiro rushes to Kuro with the final jewel exclaiming that he would do anything for his friend. In shock that he can now change the world, Kuro is surprised to see that Shiro has fallen to the ground saying that he suddenly feels tired. When Shiro stops moving, Kuro begins to panic until the treasure hunter reappears and admits that he forgot to share one piece of information with Kuro regarding the jewels. He explains that in exchange for being granted a wish the collector will lose something important. When Kuro suddenly realizes that this "something important" is Shiro himself, he rushes to his side. Knowing he is about to die Shiro asks Kuro to sing, and Kuro holds Shiro while singing the "friend song" until Shiro dies in his arms. The treasure hunter addresses Kuro once more saying that it is time to make his wish. Kuro arranges the jewels accordingly and makes his wish - "revive my first friend". The hunter attempts to change Kuro's mind but Kuro refuses and wishes once more for Shiro to be revived. The treasure hunter threatens Kuro and reveals that his name is Yagimo, a being who is always up to no good in the human world and the one who wants the power to destroy all who oppose him. Kuro calls Yagimo trash as Yagimo vanishes and the jewels glow brighter. Shiro suddenly sits up and sees that Kuro is crying and the jewels have gone dark. Realizing that Kuro used his wish to revive him, Shiro asks if he and Kuro have finally become friends.

Above: Kuro and Shiro become surrounded by the Angels and Demons

Before Kuro can answer the angels and demons appear bearing weapons. Yagimo makes one final appearance and explains that because of Kuro and Shiro a war between angels and demons has begun and nothing can stop it. Kuro and Shiro run dodging angels and demons alike, before finally be cornered by both groups. The leaders explain that Kuro and Shiro are said to be part of the legend that kills everyone and the only way to end the war between angels and demons is to eliminate 37564. Kuro and Shiro attempt to escape but are both fatally wounded and left for dead. As they lay dying beside one another, Kuro suddenly realizes that blood is red and although they are white and black inside they are the same. Upon these words Shiro dies and Kuro sings the "friend song" until finally dying alongside Shiro.

Why is the world divided into two parts? Male and Female? Angels and Demons? Black and White?

Above: Shiro (Dori, left) and Kuro (Takuya, right) reach out to each other

REVIEW

I'll preface this review by stating that there is very little of Black & White that I did not enjoy. Everything about it from its first watch was amazing, and when I watch it all again, it's like I'm seeing it new for the first time.

CAST:
Kuro - Uehara Takuya
Shiro - Sakurada Dori
Ensemble - Angels, Demons, Other Beings, etc.

Casting & Individual Performances:

The infamous duo of Takuya and Dori. Having done so many AMUSE projects together, it was no surprise to see the pair in yet another amazing stage work. The chemistry and relationship that Takuya and Dori have is incredible, and no matter the project they always put on a great show. Black & White was different however, instead of just a great show Takuya and Dori stared in what I would call a true masterpiece. Uehara Takuya's performance as Kuro the Black Angel was nothing short of stunning and incredible. From his amazing dancing, to his stunts, interaction with Dori as well as other characters and his ability to evoke so many emotions makes him a force to be reckoned with. I cannot imagine anyone else playing Kuro other than Takuya. Then there's Sakurada Dori as Shiro the White Angel. Like Takuya, Dori's performance was remarkable though his character is more lighthearted than Takuya's. Dori's ability to play off of Takuya while attempting to answer the ultimate question of the work makes Black & White more interesting and intriguing by the minute. Takuya and Dori are truly a match made in heaven, and are what brought Black & White alive.

Costumes, Set, Music & Choreography:

Everything about Black & White was incredibly detailed. The Angels live white lives, thus all angels were dressed in flowing white garments, while the demons live black lives and dress in stiff and intimidating black clothes. The set was basic, the main stage with a variety of raised levels along the back wall allowing the actors to make use of the entire stage. The music, though brief, added so much to the story and theme of the play and I've found that many of its tracks will get stuck in my head. But perhaps the most beautiful, inspiring and effective thing of Black & White was its choreography.

Black & White Opening Dance of the Angels and Demons

After watching this opening sequence for the first time, I was stunned. It follows the regular patterns of the groups - the angels move with fluid motion and create beautiful arcs with their bodies, while the demons move more intensely and do various stunts to strike fear into the hearts of their pray. I also loved that for this opening dance sequence, the white demon Shiro danced with the white angels and the black angel Kuro danced with the black demons. Showing that though they seem to have been born in the opposite worlds, their true nature and purpose lies with those of the same color. It is one of the few opportunities where we see Kuro and Shiro with the groups they truly belong in. Concepts like these brought Black & White to a whole new level and brought new energy to the dance itself. Between the angels beautiful movements and the stunts done by the demons, I can easily say that this opening dance sequence is one of the best I have ever seen.

Final Thoughts:

Black & White is simply a masterpiece. It may seem odd at times, but if you can look past its oddities it shows something truly remarkable. Out of everything thus far I have reviewed, I would suggest watching Black & White above all.

Black & White with English Subtitles

FINAL REVIEW:
Fallen Angel

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