The Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) has announced a special screening of the 4K remaster of Mamoru Oshii and Yoshitaka Amano’s seminal 1985 anime, Angel’s Egg (Tenshi no Tamago), as part of its 2025 program. The acclaimed cult classic will be presented in its newly restored glory, offering audiences an unprecedented viewing experience of the visually stunning and enigmatic film.
MAF, which is the UK’s only Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying animation festival, will host the screening at the HOME complex and other venues across Manchester from November 9-13, 2025. This marks a significant opportunity for both long-time fans and new viewers to engage with a pivotal work in anime history.
A Visionary Collaboration Reborn in 4K
Angel’s Egg, an original video animation (OVA), is a unique collaboration between director Mamoru Oshii, best known for Ghost in the Shell, and acclaimed artist Yoshitaka Amano, celebrated for his work on the Final Fantasy series. Released in Japan in 1985, the film is known for its allegorical narrative, minimal dialogue, and dreamlike, often haunting, imagery steeped in Christian symbolism and biblical allusions, particularly to Noah’s Ark.
The 4K remaster, produced to commemorate the film’s 40th anniversary in 2025, involved a new scan of the original 35mm film negative under Oshii’s direct supervision. The restoration also features reconstructed 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos from the original mono audio, enhancing the atmospheric depth of the film. This meticulous process ensures that the film’s intricate art direction by Amano, with its distinctive ink painting style, is presented with breathtaking clarity.
The Enduring Enigma of Angel’s Egg
The film tells the story of a nameless young girl in a submerged, post-apocalyptic city, who meticulously cares for a large egg, believing it to be an angel’s egg. She encounters a boy carrying a large gun, searching for a bird he saw in a dream. Their interactions and journey through this desolate world are rich with symbolism and open to various interpretations, touching upon themes of faith, loss, and the search for meaning. Oshii himself has stated the film reflects his personal struggle with faith, a sentiment echoed by critics who view it as a profound exploration of a world without religious structure.
Despite its initial financial struggles and the confusion it generated among viewers due to its abstract nature, Angel’s Egg has gained significant acclaim over the years, solidifying its status as a cult classic. Its selection for the Cannes Film Festival’s Classics section in May 2025 and subsequent screenings at other international festivals, including New York Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, underscore its renewed global attention and artistic brilliance.
Manchester Animation Festival: A Hub for Animation Excellence
The Manchester Animation Festival is the UK’s largest animation festival, celebrating its 10th edition in 2024 (Note: The article mentions 2025 dates for Angel’s Egg screening, so the festival continues to evolve). It offers a comprehensive program that brings together top talent, leading professionals, and animation enthusiasts. The festival features a wide array of events, including screenings, panels, workshops, masterclasses, and “making of” sessions.
The festival serves as a vital platform for showcasing the best of animated content from around the world, from feature films in competition like Memoir of a Snail and Flow, to exclusive looks at upcoming projects and tributes to industry legends. The inclusion of Angel’s Egg highlights MAF’s commitment to presenting both contemporary and classic works that push the boundaries of animation as an art form.
The 2025 festival promises a diverse lineup, further cementing Manchester’s role as a significant center for animation culture and industry.
