Getting lost in this ‘Labyrinth’ can be rather fun

2026-03-05 - 01:23

After cracking her smartphone, Shiori (Suzuka) finds herself in a strange alternate world full of peril. (Sanzigen pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Cracking your smartphone’s screen is always such a bummer. Not only do you lose access to its functions, repairs usually cost a bomb. But if Labyrinth is anything to go by, the dangers of a damaged device might be far greater: you could end up fighting for your life, and the fate of the world, in a crazy smartphone-styled isekai. This ambitious new two-hour anime film from Sanzigen studio offers a captivating exploration of the clash between virtual and real-life personas, delivering an entertaining sci-fi romp, though its impact is somewhat undercut by a messy, convoluted story. Labyrinth follows Shiori Maezawa, a socially awkward and anxiety-prone schoolgirl living in Yokohama, Japan. Her father, a judo instructor, hopes for her to excel in martial arts, but Shiori has secret dreams of social media influencer fame. However, she is often overshadowed by her friend, the bubbly Kirara, whose effortless charm gets her a constant stream of social media likes. While filming a music video together, something unexpected occurs, leading to Shiori cracking her smartphone. Before she knows it, she is plunged into a dystopian alternate world, physically separated from everyone else. Kirara is nowhere to be seen, and her only companion is Komori, a living rabbit sticker (the kind you use on WhatsApp!), in a quirky nod to Alice in Wonderland. To complicate matters, a doppelgänger of Shiori from the phone world is running rampant in the other world. Bold, rebellious, and effortlessly stylish, this virtual version soon becomes far more popular than she could ever hope to be! Calling herself Shiori @ Revolution, the online doppelganger even rises to pop stardom. (Sanzigen pic) Virtual Shiori aims to throw a huge concert to gain 100 million likes and achieve her “ideal self”. This, however, will have world-changing implications, and it’s up to the real Shiori and Komori to stop them. Also, who is the mysterious man Suguru Kagami, and how is he involved in this whole matter? Labyrinth is the highly anticipated latest project from director Shoji Kawamori, and his first film not based on an existing franchise. The Toyama-born director is most known for hit franchises such as “Macross” and “The Vision of Escaflowne”, and was the mecha designer on shows like “Eureka Seven” and “Outlaw Star”. Fans might be happy to know that “Labyrinth” does feature a mech battle: it is extremely chaotic and comes out of nowhere, but that’s exactly what makes it so entertaining! “Labyrinth” is an exploration of the smartphone age, for better or for worse. One of the character’s main drives is to overcome the flaming she has often encountered from internet commenters. Reminiscing on a past tragedy, Shiori recalls a time Kirara’s video got more likes than she did. The film is at its strongest when exploring themes like the separation between public and private selves, and the relentless search for validation in today’s world. It also delivers messages of self-acceptance and courage, although those are handled a bit predictably and on-the-nose. ‘Labyrinth’s alternate smartphone world is full of trippy visuals. (Sanzigen pic) Labyrinth’s characters are mostly compelling, and while real Shiori’s over-anxiety can initially be grating, she thankfully does become stronger over time. The film’s pacing is uneven in its first act, and like an annoying pop-up ad, a romance subplot suddenly pops up out of nowhere. Regardless, its crazy plot is mostly entertaining, and watching virtual Shiori’s rise to pop stardom is rather engaging. Suzuka of pop group Atarashii Gakko! plays both real and virtual Shiori in her acting debut, while Suguru is voiced by Takuto Teranishi of the boyband Timelesz. They both do a decent job. The alternate cracked-smartphone world Shiori finds herself in is also intriguing, though all its business with endless alternate selves and sinister hidden plots can get a bit convoluted. Honestly, the best approach is to switch off your brain and just enjoy the chaos unfolding on screen. The film’s visuals have received mixed reactions online, with some calling them breathtaking, and others finding them unpolished or unfinished. They are definitely striking, and several of the smartphone-world landscapes are quite captivating. Overall, it’s not a perfect film, but getting lost in this Labyrinth can be rather fun. Its themes should resonate with anyone who’s ever uploaded a video of themselves online, hoping to become the next viral sensation. The film is also a great reminder to always take care of your smartphone: you don’t want to end up stuck in an alternate world like this! Labyrinth is showing in Malaysia’s cinemas from March 5.