For those of a certain age that remember having to attend alternative animation festivals to watch the latest in Japanese animation, this one will jog some memories, as the official STUDIO4°C YouTube channel has uploaded the NOISEMAN SOUNDINSECT OVA with English subtitles. The OVA was once again released internationally on YouTube in October of 2022, but did not feature any subtitles or captions.

The history behind the short is a unique one as it featured then Studio 4°C leader Koji Morimoto working with Yoko Kanno and Masaaki Yuasa to develop a 15-minute short for Bandai Visual. The short ended up becoming a mainstay of international animation festivals with multiple screenings before it was commercially released in Japan in the early 2000s on DVD in limited quantities.

NOISEMAN SOUNDINSECT (English Subs Available)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MrMS2CI71Q

Studio 4°C describes the short:

A short animation created in 1997 by Studio 4°C. It tells of the battle between the Noiseman monster that robs the people of music and controls the town, and the boys and girls who have been freed from the noise spells by the truth of music. The director is the creator who represents Studio 4°C, Koji Morimoto. Appointing Masaaki Yuasa to handle character design, environment settings, and animation directing, a never-before-seen feeling for color and a sense for molding brings new perspective to animation. The music, so full of a sense of speed was composed by Yoko Kanno.

The English-subtitled version of the OVA will be available to view until March 17.

Source: STUDIO 4°C On YouTube