Kurayukaba Review

Crowdfunding can be a risky venture, with many publicly funded projects failing to see the light of day. That’s why it’s an impressive and rare accomplishment when a crowdfunded project not only gets made but is also released to the public. Kurayukaba achieves both milestones, which is no small feat. In that sense, regardless of my thoughts on the film itself, its very existence deserves recognition. Many backers invested their own money, trusting that the project would neither fall victim to a scam nor end in cancellation. Seeing it come to fruition is truly irable. That said, it’s unfortunate that Kurayukaba ends up being a bit of a mess, as there’s clearly a remarkable piece of art buried beneath the chaos.

The film follows detective Soutarou as he investigates a series of mysterious disappearances plaguing society. With limited evidence, he ventures into an underground town linked to the cases. While there, he discovers an armored train and its enigmatic commander, Tanne.

The nature of crowdfunding means the creators had significant creative freedom, as their primary funding source was the general public rather than a traditional producer. Without external oversight, the team seemingly threw everything—including the proverbial kitchen sink—into the film, and it shows. By the time the third act arrives, the story careens off the rails (pun intended), overloaded with plotlines and characters that blur together in a whirlwind of activity. This lack of focus is disappointing, as there are moments of brilliance that could have shone brighter if some of the excess had been trimmed.

I hesitate to suggest that the film needed stricter oversight, as it feels counter to the spirit of artistic freedom. However, the only viable solutions would have been either a longer runtime to flesh out the various storylines or a more disciplined approach, cutting out some elements to streamline the narrative.

It’s not all bad, though. The film is visually stunning, fully embracing a steampunk aesthetic that permeates every frame. From the muted color palette and the characters’ intricate costumes to the soot-stained textures baked into the visual style, everything works in harmony to create a world that feels powered by burning coal. Even when the story veers completely off the rails, it remains a feast for the eyes. In fact, Kurayukaba might be one of the most visually unique anime films I’ve seen in a very long time.

I was also never bored while watching. The film moves at a brisk pace, always pushing the narrative forward without pausing to dwell on what might have been overlooked. It’s the kind of movie that invites multiple viewings, with viewers likely uncovering new details and cool moments they missed the first time around.

Kurayukaba is a film I don’t regret watching. While I was often left puzzled by its narrative, I was thoroughly captivated by the richly crafted world it presents. It’s a genuine achievement that this film exists at all, and for me, that fact alone outweighs its flaws.