THE year 2006 has been a competitive year for Japanese animation, with Gonzo’s Brave Story, Studio Ghibli’s Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea) and Madhouse’s double treats Paprika and Toki o Kakeru Shojo (The Girl Who Leapt through Time). But a little-heralded Japanese feature by an unknown foreign director achieved the height of viewing pleasure for 2006 when it screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October.  

Tekkon Kinkreet is set in a retro-futuristic Asian metropolis that resembles Tokyo – but possibly isn’t – called Takaramachi (Treasure Town).