Cel Shaded Jason Yadao

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Film festival lands ‘Paprika’ and ‘Robotech’

The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival has always been kind to anime fans in the past, bringing in such movies as "Steamboy" and "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie."

This year is no different, as the fall showcase brings in several films that have been making the film festival rounds over the past few months.

"Paprika," the newest movie from director Satoshi Kon, is a psychological thriller about the human psyche. A device that helps therapists enter patients' dreams has been stolen, and it's up to Dr. Atsuko Chiba to figure out what's going on.

If "Paprika" is anything like Kon's other works -- "Perfect Blue," "Millennium Actress" and "Tokyo Godfathers," as well as the 12-episode anime series "Paranoia Agent," are on his resumé -- expect a mindbending ride that will demand your attention from beginning to end. The film screens Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 6:15 p.m.

Those of you whose tastes run more toward the old-school -- specifically, the '80s giant-robot epic "Robotech" -- will be pleased to know that the new sequel to the series, "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles," will be shown at the festival on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The plot focuses on the Robotech Expeditionary Force's struggles against a new enemy as they search for Admiral Rick Hunter's missing crew.

Also of interest:

» "Yo Yo Girl Cop (Sukeban Deka: Kodo Nemu = Asamiya Saki)," about a schoolgirl trained by police as a detective with a deadly yo-yo. The two-episode anime series based on this long-running Japanese live-action franchise is available from ADV. Oct. 22, 9:15 p.m.

» "Hal and Bons," a Japanese computer-animated feature featuring two stoner dogs and a talking mochi. If that setup alone doesn't get you interested, you have no soul. Oct. 27, 9 p.m.

All films will screen at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 theaters; visit www.hiff.org ...