What is the purpose of Funky Forest? Even if one were to somehow enter the minds of the producers, their intentions in creating this bizarre film may still remain unclear. It is therefore up to the viewer to bestow this film with a purpose. For instance, the film may be taken as a series of disconnected dreams, linked only by common elements such as story threads, aesthetics and characters, that comments on the unconscious and the bounds of human imagination. A particularly memorable theory states that the 'human' characters are in fact aliens that seek to infiltrate mankind by learning about human behaviours- this explains the schoolroom settings, the characters' abnormal behaviours and their unfazed reactions towards the eldritch alien-miscellaneous object hybrids that permeate through much of the film. One might call it a musical, what with the multitude of dance numbers and songs of all kind. Another might classify it as an experiment in blending genres and mediums- a memorable scene involves a dance off between a real person and a host of animated characters. Perhaps this is the power and purpose of Funky Forest- to transport the viewer to their own 'Funky Forest' where their imagination begins to run wild and the surreal becomes all too real. Unfortunately, everyone that I have introduced this movie to stopped watching within the first ten minutes. I wonder why.

The soundtrack to this film is undeniably fantastic by the way- finessing orchestral works, single voice and guitar, solo piano, jazz, enka, c-pop, reggae, EDM, didgeridoo, a choir of screaming children, and more. Listening to it on its own is quite an experience. Surprising for such an esoteric film, it boasts an all-star cast with names such as Asano Tadanobu, Kikuchi Rinko, Kase Ryo, Anno Hideaki, a school-age Kaho and Andrew Alfieri, a young caucasian 'non-pro' who clearly cannot speak Japanese and may or may not be the star of the show. It is currently on Youtube.