The enigmatic "Angel's Egg" defies easy explanation, a surrealist masterpiece that has earned its cult classic status by embracing ambiguity and inviting interpretation. Mamoru Oshii's 1985 original video anime is as much about the unspoken as it is about the spoken, its sparse dialogue punctuated by haunting visuals and an evocative score from Yoshihiro Kanno.
The film follows a nameless girl who tends to a giant egg in a desolate, dystopian world, her existence revolving around protecting this mysterious object. As she wanders through the bleak cityscapes, collecting glass vials and pilfering jams from abandoned houses, two strangers – a boy with a "could definitely split a giant egg"-sized staff – follow her on an eerie journey of mutual discovery.
Throughout its 71-minute runtime, "Angel's Egg" luxuriates in a dreamlike atmosphere, where statuesque men spear fish the shadows of whales dancing about the skyline of an entombed city. The film's artistry extends to its ornate, impressionistic backgrounds, juxtaposing the gurgle of a brook with the strained chugging of machinery as tanks crawl through towering buildings on cobbled roads.
While its setup is straightforward, the ending defies interpretation, teeming with meaning yet refusing to settle into one. Is it an environmentalist call to action? A religious shakedown of hubris and humanity's folly? Or something ineffable, tugging at the spirit but beyond articulation?
Forty years after its initial release, "Angel's Egg" remains a seminal work that refuses to be solved or chewed up by YouTube explainers. Instead, it invites viewers to project meaning onto its surface, becoming their own personal one-way mirror. As such, it is an experience unlike any other – a religious experience, to be precise.
For those willing to immerse themselves in this mesmerizing world of silence and imagery, "Angel's Egg" promises a cinematic experience that will leave them breathless, bewildered, and begging for more.
The film follows a nameless girl who tends to a giant egg in a desolate, dystopian world, her existence revolving around protecting this mysterious object. As she wanders through the bleak cityscapes, collecting glass vials and pilfering jams from abandoned houses, two strangers – a boy with a "could definitely split a giant egg"-sized staff – follow her on an eerie journey of mutual discovery.
Throughout its 71-minute runtime, "Angel's Egg" luxuriates in a dreamlike atmosphere, where statuesque men spear fish the shadows of whales dancing about the skyline of an entombed city. The film's artistry extends to its ornate, impressionistic backgrounds, juxtaposing the gurgle of a brook with the strained chugging of machinery as tanks crawl through towering buildings on cobbled roads.
While its setup is straightforward, the ending defies interpretation, teeming with meaning yet refusing to settle into one. Is it an environmentalist call to action? A religious shakedown of hubris and humanity's folly? Or something ineffable, tugging at the spirit but beyond articulation?
Forty years after its initial release, "Angel's Egg" remains a seminal work that refuses to be solved or chewed up by YouTube explainers. Instead, it invites viewers to project meaning onto its surface, becoming their own personal one-way mirror. As such, it is an experience unlike any other – a religious experience, to be precise.
For those willing to immerse themselves in this mesmerizing world of silence and imagery, "Angel's Egg" promises a cinematic experience that will leave them breathless, bewildered, and begging for more.
The original 1985 release must've been mind-blowing back then - can you imagine watching it with no YouTube analysis to spoil the mystery? 
I love how it still holds up today, though. Mamoru Oshii's direction is so hauntingly beautiful, and Yoshihiro Kanno's score gives me chills every time. 
Those eerie cityscapes and statuesque men spear fishing... what a trip! 
I'm intrigued by the ending too - I've seen it a few times, but I still can't pin down what it means. Maybe that's the point? 
It's like they want us to fill in the gaps ourselves. I'm all for that kind of cinematic experience. Anyone else up for a deep dive into Angel's Egg? 
Those statuesque men spear-fishing... *chef's kiss*. It's like a dream come true! I mean, who needs concrete answers when you got atmosphere and vibes to back it up? 
. I mean, the ending is straight-up mind-blowing, leaving you to ponder if it's about saving the planet or something deeper... but honestly, who needs answers? The beauty lies in the mystery, right? 
#AngelEggForever #SurrealMasterpiece #MysteryMovie
it's like u r in this desolate world but still somehow feeling kinda hopeful? 
i dont know if its meant to be some deep environmentalist message or just a super surreal experience 
and 40 yrs old & still making ppl wonder about the ending lol what a masterpiece 
- all weird, but somehow perfect? 
The animation is insane, the score gives me chills... this film is like a dream you don't want to wake up from 
Anyways, if you haven't seen 'Angel's Egg' yet, DO. IT. 
. And the part about it being a "religious experience"? Give me a break 
and that ending tho!!!! its like mamoru oshii & yoshihiro kanno collabed on a masterpiece 
. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that ending, tbh 
. Is it deep, or is it just weird? Either way, it's definitely got me thinking... and also kinda freaking me out 
!
I recently rewatched "Angel's Egg" after 20+ years and still can't wrap my head around its ending 
it's like trying to grasp a handful of sand – the harder you squeeze, the more it slips through your fingers 
it's like a warm hug from an old friend that just knows exactly when to hold back and let you fill in the blanks 
the visuals are still breathtaking, and Mamoru Oshii's direction is like a masterclass in subtlety 
i mean what if the main girl is a symbol for the earth and we're all just stuck in this desolate world waiting for someone to save us? 
or maybe she's just a metaphor for the human soul searching for meaning in a meaningless world 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe this anime isn't about answers, but more about asking questions. Like, what is our purpose in this world? Is it even something we can define? It's all pretty deep, you know? 
and tanks crawling through buildings on cobbled roads lol what a vibe i dont know if im supposed to be interpreting the ending or just letting my mind wander but its def an experience u gotta see it for yourself, trust me u wont regret it 
I mean, have you seen the backgrounds in this anime?! 
And the way they juxtapose all these different elements - the sound of the brook with the machinery rumbling through the city - it's like your brain gets a little mixed up, but in a good way? 
It's like it's speaking a different language or something. Anyway, I think "Angel's Egg" is definitely one of those films that requires multiple viewings, like a puzzle that you're slowly piecing together over time. 