Sora no Woto is a fun and interesting show that everyone is talking about this season. I particularly like the opening theme and the neat visuals that accompany. Sora no Woto is directed by painfully underrated director Kanbe Mamoru, who was also the director of Elfen Lied as well as episodes of Baccano!, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Ichigo Mashimaro, among others. His talent speaks for itself, as does his apparent love for the works of Gustav Klimt.

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was an Austrian painter who was part of the Symbolist movement. His works are very distinctive and like many other Symbolist paintings, often come off as fucking weird. One of his main subjects was the female body and sexuality. His paintings often feature women in rather erotic poses or situations as well as ample phallic imagery. I’m pretty sure he was pretty popular at 19th century Comiket. Kanbe based two of his shows’ opening themes off of Klimt’s works: Elfen Lied and Sora no Woto.

Well, lets take a look shall we? (You can click all images for full size)

'The Kiss' circa 1907

As you see here in a juxtaposition of a frame from, Elfen Lied‘s opening theme was clearly inspired by Klimt. One of Klimt’s most famous works, The Kiss, is shown here. Two people embracing is one of Klimt’s central themes and embracing couples appear in many of his later works. The Kiss is central to Klimt’s expression of power through liberation and intimacy.

Portrait of Mäda Primavesi (circa 1912)

'Portrait of Mäda Primavesi' circa 1912

I’ll come out and say it, this Mäda Primavesi chick is pretty moe.

'Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I' circa 1907

In 2006, this painting sold for a record $135 million in New York City. The painting itself is rather ubiquitous, and should at least look familiar to most people. As a member of the Vienna Secession, Klimt was bent of creating art that was outside was what was considered “conventional”. I don’t understand art enough to give you dEeP aNaLySiS but her dress seems to have eyes, which I guess is cool.

Klimt makes his return as anime inspiration in this season’s Sora no Woto, because when you think anime, early 20th century Austrian art pops right into your head.

(I really like the song)

Most of the images from the opening theme of Sora no Woto comes from a frieze Klimt painted in 1902 called the Beethoven Freize. It was supposed to be the ultimate homage to the Vienna Secession, and it’s still there in Austria today. Enjoy giant-ass image (that I actually downsized)

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