Danemon Ban: The Monster Exterminator (1935)

• 61%
• 1935
• Animation
• Comedy
• Horror
• Yoshitaro Kataoka

This fascinating early example depicts the boozy mercenary of the title, based on the actual historical figure of Naoyuki Ban (1567-1615), as he attempts to rid a haunted castle of spooks. Cel animation came relatively late to Japan, due to the high costs of imported celluloid, though its eventual adoption resulted in softer character designs and more fluid movements.