The Running Man (1989)

The Running Man (1989) directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (EN subs). Noir's influence on cyberpunk as shown in Yoshiaki Kawajiri's finely animated short film The Running Man. First released in America via MTV's Liquid Television, which was a late-night showcase for avant garde animation.

This is part of Neo Tokyo (1987), the 50 minute-long film in three segments, each under a different screenwriter and film director: Rintarō's "Labyrinth labyrinthos," an exploration into the maze of a little girl's mind, Yoshiaki Kawajiri's "Running Man," focusing on a deadly auto race, and Katsuhiro Ōtomo's "The Order to Stop Construction," is a cautionary tale about man's dependency on technology. In addition to original music by Godiego's Mickie Yoshino, two prominently feature famous pieces of Western classical music: the first of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies and the "Toreador Song" of Georges Bizet's Carmen in "Labyrinth" and "Morning Mood" from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt score, in an ironic manner, in "The Order."

Kawajiri is best known for his work on the anime classics Ninja Scroll, Wicked City, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

Directed by: Yoshiaki Kawajiri.