Aragne: Sign of Vermillion is a full length anime film directed, written, and animated by Saku Sakamoto. Admirably ambitious for his directorial debut to be a one-man-show, Aragne would have benefited from a few more hands on deck. The most compelling pieces of the film are spoilers, but we can say there is a profoundly creative historical element afoot. However, parts seem convoluted (if not downright confusing) and there is a lack of character development. There’s enough here for two separate movies both of which would benefit from more focus: the bugs/spoiler plot points and main character Rin (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) and her interpersonal relationships.
Aragne: Sign of Vermillion was screened as party of the Fantasia International Film Festival ’18
