Shigeyasu Yamauchi is not a conventional director. At Toei Animation, he stood out for taking visual drama to another level, using uncomfortable camera angles and lighting that highlights the loneliness of his heroes. His most representative work, Casshern Sins, is an example of how animation can convey hopelessness without resorting to excessive dialogue.
Cinematography as a narrative tool in animation 🎬
Yamauchi applies techniques typical of auteur cinema to animation. In Casshern Sins, the low-angle shots and off-center framing are not accidental: they create an oppressive atmosphere that reflects the protagonist's existential void. The lighting, with marked shadows and backlighting, emphasizes sacrifice and fragility. This technical approach, uncommon in action series, demands a slow pace that allows the viewer to absorb every visual detail.
When the hero has more drama than a Turkish soap opera 😅
Yamauchi managed to make Casshern, a robot with an existential crisis, seem more depressed than an emo on a rainy day. His shots of rain and solitary silhouettes are so effective that even the main villain seems to need a hug. If you're looking for fast-paced action, you'd better watch something else. Here, the drama is so dense you could cut it with a plastic spoon.