A Japanese animated short with an anti-war message has been attracting considerable attention on the Internet since it was uploaded on YouTube in February.
Originally screened in Tokyo last year, “What Happens Before War?” has been viewed more than 300,000 times as of April 24, and the number is still rising.
“What Happens Before War?” was produced by NOddIN, a group of video artists and other creators. The seven-and-half minute story was based on a picture book published in 2004. The film was initially screened at an art event in the nation’s capital in October last year before it went online for free on Feb. 10.
“What Happens Before War?” is narrated in Japanese.
“Our country’s Constitution states that ‘we have decided not to go to war,’ ” a female voice says during the film, followed by a series of animated images associated with war.
In another sequence, a book representing Japan’s Constitution bounces off a charging armored vehicle and other weapons. In another, a Japanese soldier inserts a coin into the barrel of a rifle held by a foreign soldier.
“I think the video has drawn attention because many people have started to become aware that we need to steer clear of irresponsibility toward the future,” said Kosai Sekine, the 39-year-old director of the film. “I want people to watch it so it can serve as a textbook to discuss and think about before it’s too late.”
“What Happens Before War?” is available on YouTube and on a special website at (http://noddin.jp/war/).
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