Absurd visuals. Bizarre juxtapositions. A world that mocks itself by simply existing. Crazy World (Baka Baka Baka na Sekai) is a short animated film from 1968 that leans away from narrative and into sensation, an abstract, satirical protest in the form of experimental animation. It’s chaotic, uncomfortable, oddly funny… and kind of brilliant.
[Post read time: 4–6 min]
What is Crazy World About?
- Demographic: Adult / Experimental
- Genres: Avant-Garde, Surrealism, Satire, Short
- Theme: Alienation, Power, Societal Critique, Absurdism
- Runtime: 5 minutes
- Type: Animated Short Film
- Rating: G – All Ages
- Released: 1968
- Director: Yōji Kuri
- Studio: Independent
- Language: Japanese
- Streaming: Rare / Archive Access
- Official Hashtags: #BakaBakaBaka #YojiKuri #CrazyWorld1968
- Trigger Warnings:
- Surreal or disturbing imagery
- Sexual/absurd symbolic content
- Political subtext and graphic metaphors
My Thoughts on Crazy World
Because it’s so short and abstract, Crazy World (Baka Baka Baka na Sekai) feels less like a traditional story and more like a poetic impression, an experience meant to be felt rather than followed. At its core, I saw it exploring themes of alienation and dislocation, using the layered interplay between animation and photography to unsettle my sense of reality.
The way the visuals shift and overlap made me question what’s “real,” and I found that incredibly effective. The repetition of “baka,” or “fool,” in the title stood out to me, it seemed to mock not just individuals but society itself, calling out the absurdity of blind obedience to social norms and institutions.
I also read it as a commentary on power, how authority, when exaggerated or stripped bare, becomes grotesque or even comical. Some of the surreal, distorted figures gave me that impression. The film’s visual language felt like a form of protest in itself: chaotic, unconventional, and raw. It refused the comfort of structure, and in doing so, pushed me to rethink how meaning is made in both film and society.
What impressed me most was its bold visual style, how it combined hand-drawn animation with photographic elements to create something jarring and thought-provoking. That sense of dissonance really stayed with me. Its satirical tone, too, was sharp and playful, using absurdity to critique both political and social constructs. I appreciated how open to interpretation it was; the ambiguity invited me to bring my own ideas into the experience.
Even though it’s only five minutes long, it left a surprisingly strong impression. The imagery, bizarre, surreal, and sometimes funny, lingered in my mind. It’s unsettling, yet strangely captivating.
That said, Crazy World definitely isn’t for everyone. Its lack of a clear plot or characters might put off viewers who prefer more traditional storytelling. And because it’s so dense and abstract, I think some of its themes feel only partially realised. For those unfamiliar with experimental animation or the cultural context of 1960s Japan, it might be confusing or even alienating. At times, it seems to lean heavily on shock value or randomness, which risks muddying its message.
Still, for me, the film’s refusal to conform is exactly what makes it so compelling. It challenges the viewer to meet it on its own terms, and that’s something I always appreciate, even when it’s messy or uncomfortable. Crazy World might be short and strange, but it’s the kind of strange that sticks with you.
Do I Recommend Crazy World? If you enjoy experimental animation, avant-garde protest art, or short films that don’t hold your hand, Crazy World is worth watching at least once. It’s strange, it’s smart, and it refuses to play by any familiar rules. But if you prefer clean narratives and structure, this might feel more like a fever dream than a film.
What do you think about the anime Crazy World?
Did the surreal satire speak to you, or did it leave you scratching your head? Was there a moment that stood out, or disturbed you the most? Do you enjoy this kind of experimental animation, or do you prefer more grounded storytelling? Let’s chat in the comments! I’d love to hear your interpretation of this wild little fever dream.
My Rating: 5.5/10
A conceptually daring short with striking visuals, but its abstraction may leave some viewers cold or confused.
Watched 25 September 2025
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