Japanisinthegripofanewdrug:GoldenMonkey.Thismysterioussubstancenotonlygivestheuserboundlessenergy,butalsochangesitsvictimsintoshadowmonsters–theperfectcannonfodderforfightingwars.Intheanimatedsci-fidramaBattlecry,Hayahopestoputanendtothiscrisis. TheWorldBankemployeeishelpedinthisbySoji,asoldieronleavewithatroubledpast.Likehisnewcomrade,hedesperatelywantstorestoreJapantoitsformerglory.Flashbackstotheolddays,interspersedthroughthisdetective-stylestory,underscorethepair’stragedyevenmore. What,aboveall,setsBattlecryapartfromotherfilmsinthegenreisitshighlyoriginalstyling.DirectorYanakaya,whomadethefilmpracticallybyhimself,usescomputeranimationinawaythatisattimesreminiscentof90scomputergames.Roughshapesandshadowsandbrightcoloursgivethisdramaaveryoriginallook.
