They Were Eleven (1986)
A classic Japanese animated sci-fi thriller where ten academy students face a survival exam — and discover a dangerous eleventh stranger in their midst.
They Were Eleven - Movie Information
- Original Title: 11人いる!
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Satoshi Dezaki, Tsuneo Tominaga
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 1, 1986 (Australia - PG)
- Alternative Titles: Le Onzième Passager (FR), ¿Quién es el 11º pasajero? (ES), 11인이 있다! (KR), Jûichi-nin iru! (JP), They Were 11 (US)
- Production Companies: Victor Entertainment, Kitty Films
- Production Countries: Japan
They Were Eleven - Plot
A group of students from the Cosmo Academy are about to take their final exam: surviving for over fifty days in a derelict ship. But when they arrive, they discover that instead of ten students, there are eleven. One of them doesn't belong there...
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They Were Eleven - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Satoshi Dezaki
- Tsuneo Tominaga
Main Cast
- Akira Kamiya
- Michiko Kawai
- Hideyuki Tanaka
- Toshio Furukawa
- Tessyo Genda
- Hirotaka Suzuoki
- Norio Wakamoto
- Michihiro Ikemizu
- Kozo Shioya
- TARAKO
Writers
- Kazumi Koide
- Toshiaki Imaizumi
Producers
- Minoru Kotoku
They Were Eleven - FAQs
What is They Were Eleven about?
They Were Eleven follows a group of elite academy students whose final exam requires surviving fifty days aboard an abandoned spaceship. The tension escalates when they realize their group numbers eleven instead of ten — meaning one person is an impostor whose identity and motives remain dangerously unknown.
Is They Were Eleven based on a manga?
Yes! They Were Eleven is adapted from a manga by Moto Hagio, originally serialized in Betsucomi magazine. Hagio is a pioneering figure in shōjo manga, and this story is considered one of her landmark works, blending science fiction with psychological suspense and emotional depth.
Who directed They Were Eleven?
They Were Eleven was co-directed by Satoshi Dezaki and Tsuneo Tominaga. The film was produced by Victor Entertainment and Kitty Films and released in 1986, bringing Moto Hagio's celebrated manga to life through the distinctive visual style of 1980s Japanese animation.
Who is Frol, and why does the character matter?
Frol, voiced by Michiko Kawai, is one of the film's most compelling characters — a member of a species that remains gender-neutral until adulthood, when they choose their identity. This storyline gives They Were Eleven a thoughtful, ahead-of-its-time exploration of gender identity woven into its sci-fi premise.
Who are the main voice actors in They Were Eleven?
The film features a strong cast of Japanese voice talent, including Akira Kamiya as protagonist Tada, Michiko Kawai as Frol, Hideyuki Tanaka, Toshio Furukawa, Tessyo Genda, Hirotaka Suzuoki, Norio Wakamoto, Michihiro Ikemizu, Kozo Shioya, and TARAKO.
What genre is They Were Eleven?
They Were Eleven blends several genres in a satisfying way — it's a sci-fi thriller at heart, but it also weaves in romance, mystery, and psychological tension. The animation and coming-of-age themes give it an emotional resonance that sets it apart from typical genre fare of its era.
How long is They Were Eleven?
They Were Eleven runs for 91 minutes, making it a compact and well-paced feature film. It covers the full arc of its survival thriller premise without overstaying its welcome, keeping the tension and character dynamics tightly focused throughout.
What are some movies similar to They Were Eleven?
If you enjoy They Were Eleven, you might also like The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, Mars Express, Bubble, or Legion of Super-Heroes. For more anime sci-fi with emotional depth, To Me, the One Who Loved You and Lost in Starlight are worth exploring as well.
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