'Japan Sinks: 2020' Isn't Quite a Disaster, but It's an Utter Mess

Japan Sinks: 2020 is the latest anime from renowned director Masaaki Yuasa, whose past works include Devilman Crybaby, Night Is Short, Walk on Girl, and Ride Your Wave (one of my favorite movies of 2020).  It is a 10-episode mini-series wherein, well, Japan sinks in the year 2020.  Devastating earthquakes begin to periodically ravage the archipelago, making it progressively crumble to the ocean.  The plot follows a nuclear family and their friends as they trek across Japan, hoping to get to a safe place.

I really wanted to love Japan Sinks: 2020, considering that I liked Yuasa’s previous works.  But it’s a disappointing mixed bag for me overall.  It definitely has good parts, and those good parts actually blew me away.  On the other hand, it also has its share of bad parts.  And, unfortunately, those bad parts are just too significantly detrimental to it.

When it’s a straightforward disaster thriller, it’s extremely exhilarating.  It has a couple of white-knuckled sequences, and it enhances the impact by having the boldness to show vicious violence and gory imagery reminiscent of Devilman Crybaby

The major characters are splendidly written.  Now, by that, I don’t mean the characters are always endearing.  Some of them are obnoxious at some point in their arcs.  Nevertheless, you recognize and appreciate the reason or narrative purpose behind their spurts of unlikable attitude.  For the character development and character drama at play for these characters are quite compelling.  Characterizations are nuanced and thoughtfully handled as the layers of the characters are peeled off with such striking effect.

And, yes, if you get invested on certain characters, you’ll get heartbroken.  Character deaths are recurrent during the course of the series.

The show also triumphs on integrating its intended themes.  First of all, it dares to point out and slam the negative things inherent in Japanese culture, especially those that are manifestations of xenophobia.  However, as a social commentary, it isn’t really taking a pessimistic tone about this issue as it makes sure in the end to leave the sentiment that redemption and reform are always on the table.  Furthermore, it is balanced with its assessment and overall message.  For at the same time, it also equally celebrates the positive things about Japan and its culture.

Tied up to this is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving memories.  Photos and videos must not be taken for granted, and taking them truly has tremendous value.

As a result of the terrific character drama and potent thematic objectives, Japan Sinks: 2020 hits you right at the feels when it comes to its emotional moments.

However, it’s also strangely comical at times.  And while there are also adequate, well-placed instances of humor here and there, the out-of-place ones stand out.  There are certain tragedies here that, although ultimately still sad, are somewhat undermined because they are executed in a way where it seems like comedic timing is at play (e.g. the first major character death).

There is one came-out-of-nowhere death, though, where I burst out laughing.  However, it was at a point where the show had already become weird in a bad way.  So, when that happened, I didn’t care anymore if that laugh was uncharacteristic, since the show, for me, had already lost credibility and had entered unintentional comedy territory.

The middle episodes are where Japan Sinks: 2020 gets bad.  It actually kicks off strong.  While watching those first episodes, it would seem to you that it’s on its way of becoming an instant classic.  However, when it reaches those middle episodes – SPOILER: this is where the protagonists’ group temporarily stays with a cult – it shockingly bombs so hard that it ruins for itself any chance of becoming a classic.  Those middle episodes have tons of weird stuff.  If there was enjoyment during that stretch, it’s the so-bad-that-it’s-good variety.  Now, Yuasa’s anime are known to get bonkers and bizarre.  However, in the past, it was appropriate with the aesthetics, tone, and/or narrative of the anime.  In the case of Japan Sinks: 2020, however, the weirdness is inconsistent with the premise, and is simply gratuitous and dumb in retrospect.   Nothing that occurs in those middle episodes really adds anything of significance to the overarching plot.  The show becomes good again during the tail-end of episodes.  But because of the mess created by those middle episodes, the show becomes incapable of replicating the highs of the opening episodes, let alone creating higher highs.

To sum it up, Japan Sinks: 2020 have irresistibly praiseworthy elements and outstanding, memorable moments.  Unfortunately, the stink of its off-putting aspects, especially those contributed by the middle episodes, is simply too substantial to overcome that it becomes impossible for the parts to coalesce into a generally agreeable whole.