Roujin Z (1991) | Region-Free (Blu-Ray) | Written by Katsuhiro Ôtomo

Cinema Dream Network Custom Region-Free Blu-ray/BD-R Release

Presented in 1080p with English subtitles.

Title: Roujin Z (1991)

Alternate Title: 老人Z (Rōjin Z)

Genre: Animation, Science Fiction, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
In early 21st-century Japan, the Ministry of Public Welfare develops the Z-001, a computerized hospital bed designed to provide comprehensive care for the elderly. Elderly widower Kijuro Takazawa becomes the first test subject. While the bed offers advanced features, including feeding, bathing, and entertainment, it soon exhibits unexpected behavior. Haruko, a compassionate young nurse who has been caring for Takazawa, becomes concerned about the machine’s inability to address human emotions and the unforeseen consequences of relying solely on technology for elder care.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo
• Writer: Katsuhiro Otomo
• Cast:
  • Chisa Yokoyama as Haruko Mitsuhashi
  • Hikojiro Matsumura as Kijuro Takazawa
  • Shinji Ogawa as Takashi Terada
  • Shinsuke Chikaishi as Yoshihiko Hasegawa
  • Chie Satou as Nobuko Ooe

YouTube Trailer:
Roujin Z | Trailer

IMDb Link:
Roujin Z (1991)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Kaijuman – ★★★★☆
   “Being the elderly sucks. When you’re not being ignored and considered a nuisance by those younger than you, you’re being used as a guinea pig for a secret military-grade robot bed! I mean, the bed’s cool and all. It does everything for you, from exercise to bathing you, it’s got its own entertainment system, and its A.I. system might even become self-aware and take on the personality of your deceased wife! But getting it forced upon you without your consent? Not cool.”
2. Cressa Maeve Áine – ★★★★☆
   “What I thought I was getting: a mecha-gone-awry popcorn flick from the mind of Akira. What I got: a pointed comment on how we discard senior citizens, and a surprisingly poignant story of an old man who just wants to go to the beach with his wife one last time (even if she is inhabiting the mech-gone-awry).”
3. MeenOnFilms – ★★★★☆
   “A dark comedy sci-fi biopunk that parodies elderly issues, female nursing problems, remilitarization, and the challenge of new technology in the society of Japan.”

Meta Description:
“Roujin Z” (1991) is a Japanese animated science fiction drama directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo and written by Katsuhiro Otomo. The film explores the intersection of technology and elder care, following the story of an advanced robotic hospital bed that begins to exhibit unexpected behavior, raising questions about the role of machines in human caregiving.