Another World: A Hong Kong Animated Feature of a Dark Japanese Fable is an Asian Hit

By Alice Shih

Rating: A

A wide variety of Japanese works continue to entertain anime lovers of all tastes, from cuddly Studio Ghibli productions to the blood-letting Demon Slayer series.

They culturally and methodically influence animators worldwide, including the makers of Another World, the Golden Horse Award winning film from Hong Kong.

Immersing the audience in both extremes of the genre in one film is daunting. It’s Another World’s strength as well as its weakness, as it often asks viewers to switch between polar emotions with jolting suddenness.

Gudo gives the newly dead Yuri her first look at the place between life and death

Another World writer/producer Polly Yeung was intrigued by the Japanese novel "Sennenki: Thousand-year Journey of an Oni" by Saijo Naka. She adapted the screenplay from its Japanese source material to Cantonese and convinced animator Tommy Kai Chung Ng to realize her vision.

It took the team seven years from start to finish. And Another World has since garnered recognition in Asia and at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. It is now the highest grossing Hong Kong produced animated film, earning a whopping $2.7 million (CND).

In Another World, we are introduced to the cute and tiny Gudo, a novice “soul keeper,” who lacks human feelings. Gudo must guide Yuri, who is dead and in purgatory, to forget her past life and reincarnate to her next.

Gudo leads her to a realm called Another World (Shì Wài), where, unaware that she is among the dead, Yuri resists moving on, but is determined to find Kenji, her little brother.

In Chinese, the film’s title literally means “Out of this World.” In this world, the dead have left the living, but haven’t yet entered into a new life. It’s a transitional state, a purgatory-like afterlife.

Gudo is wonderfully voiced by the magnificent Suet-Ying Chung (Golden Horse Best Actress Award winner 2024 - They Way We Talk). Her portrayal of this unwavering childlike creature is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Balancing off Gudo is Louis Cheung, who plays his guardian Dark Sky, whose stern voice conveys both rationality and caring. He occasionally provides comic relief, but is never a caricature. All the other characters are splendidly portrayed and cast, with adult talents performing convincingly as children or minors.

These characters are animated to look endearing and lovable, but their journey together closely and devilishly invokes the infamous eighteen levels of hell in Chinese legend.

Thus, Another World, which starts like a comforting Miyazaki movie, turns darker and darker as it heads into the abyss. When an obstinate soul holds onto anger and guilt, it sprouts a seed of evil that turns meekness into monstrous Wrath. The transformations are rendered with gore and dread. When all redeeming quality is lost, these Wraths must be taken out by the defender Dark Sky, lest Another World be ultimately destroyed.

Expectations of a linear narrative are quickly shattered, as the story spins off new characters who are wrongfully subjected to extreme injustice in different times and places. Many lose faith in humanity and wish to become Wraths themselves to fight back. What they don’t realize is Gudo has made a solemn promise to the Goddess of the realm and is resolute to prevent these wronged souls to turn (Wraths do not get to reincarnate). His intervention finds him experiencing feelings for the first time.

Why does the story include these seemingly random characters? They are, in fact, crucial to the story, as is explained in the final act. The flow of the narrative is not for the impatient, but the emotional ending credibly ties up loose ends.

The lesson Another World offers is that tenacity is a virtue, but only when your goal is attainable. Otherwise, desperation brings vindictiveness, corrupting the righteous mind. What follows is downfall and irreversible harm to all including innocent bystanders.

It is a universal truism that violence begets violence. Gandhi preached peaceful resistance. Buddha’s teachings included  letting go, acceptance and moving on. The Serenity Prayer famously says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."  

Lesson learned. Kindness can be a struggle, but is ultimately liberating. Self-destruction is lethal. Peace out.

Another World. Directed by Tommy Kai Chung Ng. Written by Saijo Naka & Polly Yeung. Starring (voice) Suet-Ying Chung, Hiu-Tong Choi, Nga Man Yeung, Louis Cheung, Kay Tse, Will Or and Hon-Man Ko. In theatres Jun 12.