1991-1995 Anime Primer
Roujin Z (1991)
21st Century Japan is beset by ACHES, a.k.a. “agedly-challenged” seniors requiring full-time care. To resolve this issue, the Ministry of Public Health has created the Z-001, a robotic hospital bed capable of reading its occupant’s brain waves in order to respond to their every need. Nursing student Haruko doubts cold machinery could ever replace the warmth of human interaction, especially once her own invalid patient Takazawa is whisked away to serve as a guinea pig for the Z-001’s test run. But a shady biochip and some suggestive hacking results in the device developing more humanity than ever thought possible. Adopting the matronly persona of Takazawa’s late wife, it begins tearing through the city to fulfill his wish of visiting the seashore. A madcap chase ensues as Haruko and the Z-001’s investors scramble to put a stop to its rampage.
Roujin Z’s screenplay was written by Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo and drips with his biting brand of social satire. The issues the film pokes fun at seem more timely today than ever before, and the themes it tackles—including rampant commercialization of the medical industry and humane treatment of the elderly—are refreshing in a medium that usually centers around youthful fantasy. The mood never gets too heavy, though, staying firmly tongue-in-cheek throughout. Stylish character designs by Hisashi Eguchi and sharp art direction by a young Satoshi Kon give Roujin Z an original look to match its unconventional subject matter.
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