Midori, originally titled Shôjo Tsubaki, is a 1992 Japanese animated film that stands as one of the most controversial entries in the horror genre. Directed by Hiroshi Harada and based on Suehiro Maruo's manga, this 55-minute feature plunges viewers into a bleak, surreal world where a young orphaned girl, Midori, is forced into a grotesque circus troupe. The narrative unfolds as a relentless descent into exploitation, as Midori endures horrific abuse from the freak-show performers, capturing the raw, unsettling essence of its source material.

The film's animation style is deliberately crude and unsettling, amplifying its nightmarish atmosphere. While the plot is sparse—focusing on Midori's suffering and her fleeting hope upon the arrival of an enigmatic magician—it serves as a powerful critique of human cruelty and despair. Performances, conveyed through voice acting and visual expression, intensify the emotional weight, making Midori's plight hauntingly palpable. Harada's direction unflinchingly embraces the manga's transgressive themes, resulting in a work that is as artistically bold as it is disturbing.

Viewers should watch Midori for its uncompromising artistic vision and its place in cult animation history. Despite its low IMDb rating of 6.3, the film has garnered a dedicated following for its fearless exploration of dark themes. It's a challenging watch, not recommended for the faint-hearted, but essential for those interested in boundary-pushing horror and animation. Stream it online to experience a unique, albeit harrowing, piece of Japanese cinema that continues to provoke discussion decades after its release.