Midori (1992)
A singular, harrowing underground anime by Hiroshi Harada, adapting Suehiro Maruo's notorious manga into one of the most transgressive animated films ever made.
Midori - Movie Information
- Original Title: 地下幻燈劇画 少女椿
- Release Year: 1992
- Directed by: Hiroshi Harada
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Horror
- Runtime: 55m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Companies: Kiryûkan
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Midori (FR), Maiden Camellia (US), Shôjo tsubaki: Chika gentô gekiga (JP)
Midori - Plot
After losing her parents, young flower selling Midori is put up by a fairground group. She is abused and forced to slavery, until the arrival of an enigmatic magician of short stature, who gives her hope for a better future.
Midori - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse into Hiroshi Harada's underground animated world:
The camelia girl.
Where to Watch Midori
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Midori - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hiroshi Harada
Main Cast
- Minako Naka
- Norihiko Morishita
- Keinosuke Okamoto
- Kazuyoshi Hayashi
- Yoshihiko Matsui
- Yoshifumi Nomura
- Sanae Katô
- Yumiko Takagi
- Akiko Tanaka
- Kôji Imoto
Writers
- Hiroshi Harada
Midori - FAQs
Is Midori based on a manga or true story?
Midori is based on Suehiro Maruo's underground manga 'Shôjo Tsubaki' (also known as 'Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show'), first published in 1984. It is not based on a true story, but draws on the dark tradition of Japanese ero-guro art and early 20th-century carnival culture.
Why was Midori banned and so hard to find?
Midori was never given a conventional theatrical or home video release due to its deeply disturbing content — depicting child abuse, extreme violence, and transgressive imagery. Director Hiroshi Harada screened it at underground events only. For decades it circulated as a rare bootleg, making it one of the most notoriously elusive films in anime history.
Who directed Midori and how was it made?
Hiroshi Harada directed, wrote, and largely animated Midori almost entirely by himself over several years, making it one of the most remarkable solo animation projects ever attempted. He also served as the film's sole animator for most of its runtime, a staggering feat for a 55-minute feature.
What is Midori about?
Midori follows a young orphaned girl who is taken in by a traveling freak show after her mother's death. Subjected to cruelty and exploitation by the carnival performers, she finds a fragile glimmer of hope when a mysterious, diminutive magician named Masamitsu arrives and takes an interest in her fate.
Who are the main voice actors in Midori?
The voice cast includes Minako Naka as Midori, Norihiko Morishita as the magician Wandâ Masamitsu, Keinosuke Okamoto as Koijirô Arashi, Kazuyoshi Hayashi as Akaza, Yoshifumi Nomura as Muchisute, and Sanae Katô as Benietsu, among others.
How long is Midori?
Midori runs for approximately 55 minutes. Despite its relatively short runtime, the film is an intensely dense and disturbing experience, packing a remarkable amount of visual invention and emotional darkness into under an hour.
What genre is Midori?
Midori sits at the intersection of animation, horror, and drama. It belongs to the Japanese ero-guro tradition — a genre blending the erotic and grotesque — and is widely considered one of the most extreme and artistically ambitious works in underground anime history.
What are some films similar to Midori?
If Midori's dark, transgressive tone appeals to you, you might explore Ninja Scroll (1993), Demon City Shinjuku (1988), Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend (1989), Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999), and Oldboy (2003) — all films that push boundaries in animation or extreme cinema.
More About Midori
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