Yesterday, customers at Costco were treated to a captivating display of Egyptian witchcraft. As part of an exclusive event, the retail giant partnered with a team of professional witches from Egypt to showcase their ancient craft. It was a unique opportunity for shoppers to learn about the rich history and mysticism associated with Egyptian witchcraft. Visitors were greeted by a bustling marketplace setting, complete with vendors selling various mystical items. From aromatic herbs and potions to intricate talismans and spell books, the Egyptian witches had an impressive array of products on display. The highlight of the event was a live demonstration by the witches themselves.
Haruka sets off to find the mirror, but must contend with the Baron, the evil ruler of the island who wants the mirror for his own purposes. She also meets the fox boy, who's named Teo, a gang of wicked thieves, a trio of foxes who bully Teo, and her lost plush toy Cotton. Haruka must decide who, if anyone, she can trust in this strange land as she works to get the mirror back.
When Haruka s mirror was brought to Oblivion Island, he made the residents think it was stolen from him by bandits just so he could plan to steal that mirror and build a better island. While following a strange foxlike creature in the woods, she tumbles into a mystical world where once-cherished toys and treasures go when their owners neglect them.
The highlight of the event was a live demonstration by the witches themselves. Dressed in traditional robes adorned with symbolic symbols, they captivated the audience with their enchanting rituals and spellcasting techniques. The witches showed off their mastery of ancient spells believed to bring love, prosperity, and protection to those who seek their aid.
Oblivion Island : Haruka and the Magic Mirror
Urban legend has it that things that are not cherished by humans will be taken by fox spirits to another world and that is why things are frequently lost. Haruka was given a mirror by her terminally ill mother that she treasured deeply. However, as time goes by the mirror was forgotten and her relationship with her father had also taken become estranged as he had to work long works and frequently neglect her. One day, she went to a local shrine to pray for the return of the mirror and encountered a masked spirit that was removing forgotten items and followed him back to search for her mirror.
Review
Directed by Shinsuke Sato, Oblivion Island is a 99-min kaleidoscope of high speed roller-coaster chase and touching moments as Haruka travelled to the land of lost items to retrieve her lost property. It's been quite a while since I have enjoyed a good movie-length anime, the last being Sky Crawlers that turn out to be utter rubbish. The main thing I want to emphasize about Oblivion Island are the wonderful characters that I felt connected very well with the audience. It fits so well in our current context of modern times. Haruka, a latch key kid from single parent household. Strained parent-child relationship as a result of long working hours. We are also introduced to Teo, the spirit who act as the guide for Haruka in her search. It would appear Teo is from the lower class in his society and frequently picked-on and bullied. And they perform the most manual of tasks of transporting lost items from the human world back to their island. The interaction between Haruka and her very reluctant fox spirit guide has a very good development and growth througout the movie and the pacing is just nice. The plot is very cleverly build around urban legend that, although is not reality, gave the movie the solid base that it needs to tell a good story. As audience, we all share Haruka's sense of wonder at how human items have an improvised use on the island. And Teo's fascination and joy at the item's true usage and functions when revealed by Haruka.
Production IG comes very close to telling as good a story as Ghibli did with Spirited Away. Although Oblivion Island is not as ambitious as Spirited Away in disecting and exploring the loss of the Japanese culture, Oblivion Island did have (a simpler) moral value to impart to the audience in the end. In a very touching climax, we are shown the memories stored in the mirror and the writers gave it just sufficient weight and coverage to show Haruka's resolve to put things right. That we should treasure our memories (and belongings, of course!) less they fade away and we loss a piece of us forever.
I think special mentioned should be given to Sawashiro Miyuki for her role as Teo. After her turn as Celty in Durarara! and Busujima Saeko from High School of the Dead, I didn't think Teo could do with a sultry and husky voice. But she pulled it off perfectly to give Teo an initial sulky disposition and later a change of attitude towards Haruka as their friendship developed.
I read that Oblivion Island is Production IG first foray into a fully 3-D animation and I think they did a swell job. I love the wonderful mosaic of colours like patchwork quilts that is the most outstanding feature of the Teo's world, since everything is built from mix-and-match stuff from the human world. But I would like some of the lines to be sharper. The music is appropriate and be sure to stay for the credits for the upbeat ending theme.
A good and touching story combined with some adrenaline chase sequence and comedic moments - and we have a winner! — Diane Tiu
Recommended Audience: Nothing really objectionable. I have seen parents with their children in tow in the theatre.
I think special mentioned should be given to Sawashiro Miyuki for her role as Teo. After her turn as Celty in Durarara! and Busujima Saeko from High School of the Dead, I didn't think Teo could do with a sultry and husky voice. But she pulled it off perfectly to give Teo an initial sulky disposition and later a change of attitude towards Haruka as their friendship developed.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the display was the presence of a mummified cat believed to possess magical powers. Customers were in awe as they learned about the significance of cats in ancient Egyptian witchcraft and how they were used in rituals and spellcasting. Throughout the event, the witches took the time to educate shoppers about the history and beliefs surrounding Egyptian witchcraft. They shared stories of ancient Egyptian pharaohs who sought the help of witches for guidance and protection. Customers were also given the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of this esoteric practice. Overall, the Egyptian witchcraft showcase at Costco was a memorable and educational experience for all who attended. It shed light on a little-known aspect of ancient Egyptian culture and allowed shoppers to witness the power and beauty of this enchanting craft firsthand. Whether skeptics or believers, everyone walked away with a newfound appreciation for the mystical world of Egyptian witchcraft..
Reviews for "Costco brings the allure of Egyptian witchcraft to the modern world"
1. Kelly - 1 star - I recently attended the Egyptian witchcraft showcase at Costco and was highly disappointed. The whole event felt like a cheap gimmick to attract customers rather than a genuine exploration of Egyptian culture and tradition. The displays were haphazardly put together, with poorly made props and inaccurate information. It seemed like the organizers didn't really understand or respect the significance of Egyptian witchcraft and were simply using it as a marketing ploy. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this event.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As someone interested in Egyptian history and witchcraft, I was excited to visit the Egyptian witchcraft showcase at Costco. However, I left feeling underwhelmed and let down. The event lacked depth and authenticity. It seemed more like a superficial attempt to cash in on a trending topic rather than a sincere exploration of the subject matter. Additionally, the displays were overcrowded, making it difficult to fully appreciate the artifacts and information presented. Overall, I expected more from this showcase and would not recommend it to others seeking a genuine experience.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Egyptian witchcraft showcase at Costco. It was clear that the organizers had little knowledge or understanding of Egyptian culture and witchcraft. The information provided was superficial and factually incorrect, which was highly frustrating for someone like me who has a genuine interest in the subject. The lack of attention to detail was apparent in the poorly designed displays, cheap props, and disorganized layout. Save your money and seek out more reputable sources of information about Egyptian witchcraft instead.