Live or Let Live

Live or Let Live is a notable production from Geidai Animation, the student-led animation program at Tokyo University of the Arts. Produced within the rigorous academic environment of the university, the film serves as a showcase for emerging talent in the Japanese independent animation scene. It emerged from a pedagogical framework that encourages students to experiment with traditional cel-style techniques and unconventional storytelling, reflecting a distinct departure from the commercial constraints often seen in mainstream industry projects.

The film is characterized by its meticulous craftsmanship and deliberate pacing, hallmarks of the program's aesthetic philosophy. By fostering an atmosphere where directors and animators have significant creative autonomy, Geidai Animation allows for a deeply personal tone in these works. Upon its completion, the film was largely circulated through domestic film festivals and university screenings, where it earned modest recognition for its visual fluidity and the sophisticated thematic approach typical of the university’s animation curriculum.