This film just came out last week in my country. Kamiyama Kenji has always been a very special director to me. His S.A.C. series is by far the best take on the Ghost in the Shell IP in my opinion, it's one of, if not THE one all time favorite anime of mine. I always hope this guy could get more attention and get more things done. However "Hirune Hime" is kind of underwhelming. It's not really a bad film but the pacing is weird, the narrative is kind of childish, and the dialogue said too much. In parts it kind reminds me of some of Kon Satoshi'swork, with the theme and the way it was approached, sadly it's not done nearly as good.

The animation is decent but not spectacular, the music is serviceable. Again, it's not really bad. But the story and the narrative just don't work... I can't help but see a better film, a great film buried deep within it.

I guess I was expecting way more from the man and the trailer. But how can you blame me?